Full Breakdown
Anthony Constantino’s Trump-Style Campaign Aims at New York’s 21st Congressional Seat
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Primary Victory Positions Constantino for Open House Seat
Republican businessman Anthony Constantino secured the GOP nomination for New York’s 21st congressional district by defeating Assemblyman Robert Smullen by a margin of 19 points. The win follows a public endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who backed Constantino over Smullen earlier in the spring. With Rep. Elise Stefanik set to retire, Constantino is the leading candidate to succeed her when the new Congress convenes in January.
Background & Context: From Novelty Stickers to Trump-Era Politics
Constantino, a 43-year-old founder of the novelty-product company Sticker Mule, has cultivated a public persona that mirrors former President Trump’s flamboyance. Since 2024 he has produced a larger-than-life statue of Trump, erected a satellite-visible “Vote for Trump” sign, and released an album titled “Thank You President Trump,” which includes a repetitive chant of the former president’s name. His campaign launch featured a wall of free turkeys and incendiary language aimed at Democratic opponents, reflecting a deliberately aggressive style.
Data & Statistics
- Primary margin: Constantino beat Smullen by 19 percentage points.
- Age: 43 years.
- Survey data (August, local NBC affiliate): 42 percent of likely voters expressed a very unfavorable view of Constantino, placing him narrowly behind Democrat Blake Gendebien, a dairy farmer.
- Financial ties to associates: invoices and emails reviewed show payments exceeding $500,000 to rapper Ricardo “Porsche Truck Ruk” Henderson and other collaborators.
- Criminal allegations involving close associates: two men were arrested within weeks of Constantino’s primary win on charges related to kidnapping and assault of an accountant who attended Constantino’s 2022 wedding.
Official Statements & Responses
Former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Constantino, positioning him as the preferred Republican challenger in the district. New York Conservative Party head Gerard Kassar responded to Constantino’s accusations that Kassar had threatened his life by filing a defamation lawsuit, describing Constantino’s claims as “wholly false and invented.” Constantino has not commented on the lawsuit. In promotional material for his Trump-themed album, Constantino expressed admiration for Trump and hinted at presidential ambitions, stating that he might become president one day, echoing Trump’s own rhetoric.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Constantino’s campaign touts a “recent survey” suggesting continued momentum, yet the methodology and results of that poll are not disclosed, creating uncertainty about its reliability. The NBC affiliate’s poll provides a contrasting view of voter sentiment, but both surveys lack detailed demographic breakdowns.
What’s Next
If the November 2026 general election mirrors the primary outcome, Constantino is slated to assume office in January, joining a congressional cohort already noted for strong Trump alignment. His upcoming term will test whether his overtly Trump-styled approach can translate into legislative influence within the House.