Anthony Constantino, a Republican candidate in the 21st Congressional District race in upstate New York, has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. Constantino, a political newcomer, has been a vocal supporter of Trump and has even gifted him a big bronze statue.

The Race for the 21st Congressional District

Constantino is running against state Assembly Member Robert Smullen, a former U.S. Marine Corps colonel, in the June 23 Republican primary. Smullen has the support of local GOP officials and committees, but Constantino has won over Trump, who has a significant influence in the district.

Constantino has been relentless in his attacks on Smullen, calling him a Trump hater and giving him a derisive nickname. He has also feuded with the state’s Republican leadership, calling them a failing establishment. Smullen, on the other hand, has cast himself as the adult in the room, stressing his experience in the state Legislature and his military service.

A Clash of Styles

Smullen is running a traditional campaign, chatting up voters at volunteer firehouses and community events. Constantino, on the other hand, is more of a showman, using his successful sticker business to promote his campaign. His style has forced Smullen to let loose, with Smullen’s campaign launching an anti-Constantino website that excoriates him for his past registration as a Democrat.

The district, which includes the Adirondack Mountains and Fort Drum, is solid GOP territory, with registered Republicans outnumbering Democrats 215,000 to 134,000. Voters in the district skew older and white, with many prison guards, police officers, farmers, and devoutly religious people.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.