Republicans hold New York seat as Constantino claims narrow victory

Summarised from 2 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 23:21 · Archive

Republican Anthony Constantino declared victory in the race to succeed retiring congressman Elise Stefanik in New York's 21st District, leading by two points with 80 per cent of votes counted.

Anthony Constantino, a Republican businessman and Trump ally, declared victory late Tuesday in the race to replace retiring representative Elise Stefanik in New York's 21st Congressional District. With 80 per cent of votes counted, Constantino led Democrat Blake Gendebien 51 to 48.8 per cent in the traditionally Republican district. Constantino, chief executive of printing company Sticker Mule, spoke at his watch party in Amsterdam, New York, saying 'I'm going to spend the next two years winning you over, making you fall in love with me, just like my employees did'.

Constantino said he had wanted to win by 20 points but acknowledged his team had predicted a margin of 2 to 3 points. He blamed the media for the close result. According to sources, party infighting and higher costs tied to tariffs and the Iran war gave Democrats an opening. Vice President JD Vance had campaigned in the district on behalf of Constantino on Monday.

Constantino's projected victory came as Republicans suffered defeats across New York state in the midterm elections. The Cook Political Report had rated the seat as 'lean' Republican rather than solidly Republican. The race had not been officially called by the Associated Press on Wednesday morning, and Gendebien had not conceded. Constantino subsequently attacked the state Republican Party and its leadership on social media, calling party chairs 'scammers' and calling for the removal of state GOP chairman Ed Cox.

How it is being reported

• Rep. Elise Stefanik blasts blue wave massacre as ‘Republican reckoning’Outgoing Rep. Elise Stefanik fumed that the Midterms were a wake-up call for the GOP.New York Post · 4 Nov, 16:57
• Anthony Constantino rages against GOP after declaring win in race not called yetRepublican Anthony Constantino, who declared victory late Tuesday in the race to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), went off on state GOP on social media early Wednesday.New York Post · 4 Nov, 16:45
• NY Republicans hold onto retiring Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat as Trump ally Constantino declares victoryNew York Republicans appeared set to hold onto retiring Rep. Elise Stefanik's deep-red seat Tuesday.New York Post · 4 Nov, 05:36
• New York congressional candidate Blake Gendebien talks about the cost of living ahead of midtermsVice President JD Vance was in Rome, New York, on Monday campaigning on behalf of Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino in the state's 21st district. Democrat Blake Gendebien is challenging Constantino for Trump ally Elise Stefanik's seat. Gendebien joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.CBS News · 3 Nov, 03:24
• JD Vance rallies GOP House candidate Anthony Constantino in final stretch of campaignVance zoomed into the former Griffiss Air Force Base facility in Rome Monday morning to rally a crowd of hundreds to support GOP congressional candidate as Republicans hope to avoid an embarrassing loss in former Rep. Elise Stefanik’s district.New York Post · 2 Nov, 19:50
• House candidate Anthony Constantino dismisses tight poll numbers in race to replace Elise StefanikRepublican House candidate Anthony Constantino joins CBS News to discuss his House race with Democrat Blake Gendebien to replace GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik in New York's 21's District.CBS News · 2 Nov, 18:16

In this story: Anthony Constantino · Blake Gendebien · Elise Stefanik · JD Vance · New York's 21st Congressional District · Sticker Mule

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log