NY Republicans hold onto retiring Rep. Elise Stefaniks seat as Trump ally Constantino declares victory
New York Republicans appeared set to hold onto retiring Rep.Elise Stefanik’s deep-red seat Tuesday — with firebrand Trump ally Anthony Constantino declaring a narrow victory against his Democratic opponent Blake Gendebien.With 80% of votes counted, Constantino led Gendebien by a tight 2-point margin, 51-48.8 in the red-leaning 21st Congressional District where Republicans outnumber Democrats.“I’m going to spend the next two years winning you over, making you fall in love with me, just like my employees did, just like all these great people did who came out to support me,” Constantino, CEO of printing company Sticker Mule, told attendees at his watch party in Amsterdam, NY.His projected victory was a rare bright spot on a night when Republicans got trounced at the ballot box across the state, including in the Hudson Valley’s 17th District, where Democratic challenger Cait Conley defeated two-term Republican Rep Mike Lawler.Some early evening anxiety at Constantino’s party gave way to a raucous 40-minute victory speech from the businessman, who took the stage to the theme song from “Rocky” at around 11 p.m.Constantino said he wanted to win by 20 points, though noted his team assured him a victory closer to the 2-3 points — while ranting against the “evil news media,” blaming them for the close margin.Having Constantino succeed Stefanik should have been a layup for Republicans, but party infighting and higher costs tied to tariffs and the Iran war gave Gendebien and Democrats an opening and made the race close, sources said.The Cook Political Report rated the once solidly Republican seat to “lean” toward Constantino.Follow for live updates on the 2026 Midterm ElectionsA Siena University poll in early October even showed Gendebien with a slight 46%-42% lead over Constantino and independent candidate Christopher Schmidt getting 5%.
Another poll had Constantino in the lead.As Gendebien — a second-generation dairy farmer who was born and rais...