A Trump-endorsed outsider just crushed the party establishment in upstate New York, and it says a lot about where GOP voters want the country to go.
Story Snapshot
- Trump-backed businessman Anthony Constantino is projected to defeat establishment favorite Robert Smullen in the NY-21 Republican primary.[1][2]
- Constantino is the only Republican in the race endorsed by President Trump and key America First allies like Rudy Giuliani and Jim Jordan.[1][2][3]
- Smullen had the support of the New York Republican Party, most county chairs, and law‑and‑order groups, but grassroots voters sided with Trump’s pick.[2][9]
- Constantino’s win continues a broader pattern where Trump‑aligned candidates beat party insiders and promises a stronger America First voice in Congress.[3][20]
Trump’s Chosen Candidate Tops the Party Machine
CBS News and the Associated Press project that businessman Anthony Constantino has defeated State Assemblyman Robert Smullen in the Republican primary for New York’s 21st Congressional District.[1][2]
With roughly three‑quarters of precincts reporting, Constantino led by about 18 points, a decisive margin over a candidate backed by the state party and most local GOP officials.[2]
Elise Stefanik chose not to endorse in the race, leaving voters to decide between a Trump outsider and an establishment conservative, and they broke clearly for Trump’s pick.[1][2]
President Donald Trump personally endorsed Constantino, calling him a “great guy who will never let you down” and highlighting his loyalty after the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.[1][3]
Constantino had put a huge “Vote for Trump” sign on top of his Sticker Mule headquarters, fought local officials to keep it up, and even gifted Trump a seven‑foot bronze statue showing him with a raised fist after the attack.[1][5]
That visible support turned Constantino from a long‑shot businessman into a national example of how alignment with Trump’s America First movement can beat party insiders.[3][5][8]
A Business Builder Promises Independence and Affordability
Constantino founded Sticker Mule in 2010 and built it into an international company with more than 1,000 employees across dozens of countries.[1][7]
He co‑founded the firm in Amsterdam, New York, and now runs one of the fastest‑growing online printing businesses, producing stickers, labels, T‑shirts, and more.[7]
On the campaign trail, he pledged to self‑fund his race, refuse special‑interest money, and donate his entire congressional salary to charity, framing his run as “giving back” after building a successful business.[6][10] That message resonates with voters tired of career politicians and backroom deals.
Trump’s preferred candidate wins primary to succeed Elise Stefanik https://t.co/S12jEgRdfS
— POLITICO (@politico) June 24, 2026
On issues, Constantino lines up closely with Trump’s agenda on borders and the economy.[1] He has promised to end what Republicans call illegal immigration, secure the border, and focus on making life more affordable across the North Country.[1]
He points to his business experience as proof that he understands inflation, high energy costs, and government red tape that hurt small towns. Supporters see him as a fighter who will back Trump in Congress rather than bend to Washington lobbyists or party bosses.[3][4]
Establishment Backing Couldn’t Save Smullen
Robert Smullen entered the race with deep establishment support. He is a Marine veteran with 24 years of service, including combat tours in Afghanistan, and has served in the New York State Assembly since 2018.[9][15]
Smullen secured endorsements from the New York State Republican Party, most county GOP committees in the district, the Conservative Party line with over 10,000 signatures, and law‑and‑order groups like the State Troopers union and the Rifle and Pistol Association.[9]
Smullen campaigned as a traditional conservative, highlighting his opposition to New York’s Green New Deal and climate laws and arguing for more fracking and pipeline permits to lower utility bills.[9]
But his support from twelve of fifteen county committees and several members of the state’s congressional delegation fed a clear “establishment” label in media coverage.[2]
In debates, the race became less about policy differences and more about loyalty to Trump, with Constantino pressing Smullen on whether he had backed Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024.[9]
That focus put Smullen on the defensive even as he pointed to a past appointment by Trump to the President’s Commission on White House Fellows.[9]
Sharp Attacks, Unproven Claims, and Media Spin
The primary grew bitter, with both sides trading harsh accusations. Constantino claimed Smullen had been arrested for felony tax fraud and misused more than $70,000 in campaign funds, but so far, no public court records or state election board findings back up those charges.[10][11]
He also alleged Smullen profited from a taxpayer‑funded Chinese solar farm and hired staff with criminal backgrounds, yet those points remain unsupported by official documents.[9][10]
Smullen forcefully denied the attacks, calling some of them defamatory and saying the solar panels on his land were privately funded and made by the Korean company LG, not China.[9]
Since I know this district and these numbers like the back of my hand…as @Redistrict says “I’ve seen enough”
—
Congratulations to @constantino on his overwhelming victory in today’s #NY21 Republican primary!
This was a hard fought election and the voters have spoken loudly…
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) June 24, 2026
Smullen and his allies hit back hard, branding Constantino “mentally unfit” for Congress and painting him as a lifelong Democrat who switched parties only in 2024.[2][8]
They claimed Constantino tried to “buy the seat” with his own money and profited from anti‑Trump and pro‑transgender stickers, undermining his America First image.[9]
Many of those counterclaims also lack public documentation, and the back‑and‑forth shows how ugly intraparty fights can get when Trump loyalty is on the line.
Major outlets framed the contest as a battle between a “Trump‑backed outsider” and “establishment GOP,” reinforcing the sense of a fractured party.[2][4][5]
What Constantino’s Win Means for Conservatives
Nationally, Trump’s endorsements have carried heavy weight, with candidates he backs winning or advancing in most recent Republican primaries.[20][22][23] Analysts describe his effort as a successful “retribution” campaign against party figures who stray from his agenda.[19][21][22]
The New York‑21 race fits that pattern: despite strong institutional support for Smullen, primary voters chose the candidate most clearly aligned with Trump’s America First vision on borders, energy, and fighting the D.C. swamp.[2][3][5]
For those who worry about globalism, woke policies, and government overreach, Constantino’s projected win is a reminder that the base still wants fighters, not caretakers of the old order.
Looking ahead to November, Constantino will face Democrat Blake Gendebien for the chance to replace Stefanik after her twelve years in Congress.[2][5] The district leans Republican, and national observers already see the race as another test of Trump’s strength and the future of the GOP.[2][5][24]
For many patriots frustrated by years of weak borders, high prices, and elites ignoring the Constitution, the message from this primary is simple: when given a clear choice, they picked the candidate who promised to stand with Trump and against the political class—even when that meant defying their own party leadership.
Sources:
[1] Web – Trump-backed challenger beats establishment GOP candidate in primary …
[2] Web – Republican Anthony Constantino leans into Trump support … – WAMC
[3] Web – The bitter NY-21 primary highlights a fractured GOP
[4] Web – CONSTANTINO, ANTHONY THOMAS – Candidate overview – FEC
[5] Web – The Totally Bonkers Race to Replace Elise Stefanik – POLITICO
[6] Web – New York 21st Congressional District Primary Election Results
[7] Web – Anthony Constantino – Ballotpedia
[8] Web – New York House District 21 Primary 2026 Live Results
[9] Web – Lifelong Democrat Anthony Constantino has lied to the voters of NY …
[10] Web – Robert Smullen – New York Candidate – Transparency USA
[11] Web – Thom Hallock talks with Robert Smullen, the Gloversville State …
[15] Web – A Last-Minute Guide to the Candidates in New York’s Primaries
[19] Web – Trump’s primary challenges to his Republican foes make GOP …
[20] Web – So far, Trump’s political revenge campaigns have been successful
[21] YouTube – A Look at Some of the Trump-Backed Candidates that …
[22] Web – Sabato’s Crystal Ball – UVA Center for Politics
[23] Web – Trump’s last-minute backing of Ken Paxton for Senate could prove to …
