Anthony Constantino Claims NY-21 After Profanity-Laden Attacks on Press

Anthony Constantino Claims NY-21 Seat Amid Contentious Victory Speech

Rep. Elise Stefanik for more than a decade. With unofficial returns showing Constantino defeating Democratic dairy farmer Blake Gendebien 49% to 47%, the race concluded as a tighter contest than many had anticipated in a district that President Donald Trump carried by 20 points in 2024. Early in the evening, unofficial returns showed Gendebien with a 25% lead, which narrowed to one-tenth of a percent by 10:30 p.m. before Constantino took the stage at 11 p.m.

Constantino addressed his supporters at an Amsterdam, New York, victory event, where he pivoted from victory remarks to profanity-laden attacks on the press. Constantino, who self-funded his campaign with $17 million of his own money, expressed frustration that his margin of victory was not larger, blaming the media for the close results. It should have been a 20- or 30-point victory, but they spent the whole time lying to the citizens of NY-21 about who Blake Gendebien [is], who I am, to make me spend $17 million of my own money, Constantino said. How would you like to spend $17 million, because you guys are a bunch of lying a–holes?

Anthony Constantino Declares Victory, Calls Press “Evil Media”

A Shift in Tone for the North Country

According to on-the-ground reporting, Constantino spent several minutes berating reporters in attendance, at one point specifically targeting a NewsChannel 7 reporter and his cameraman. He ordered security to remove reporter Garrett Domblewski and his cameraman from the premises, labeling them and other outlets as an “evil media.” This aggressive posture toward journalists was a hallmark of Constantino’s final campaign days.

Constantino also turned his ire toward other members of the press, at one point singling out a reporter and saying, Look at that a–hole right there. Him. Look at that guy. Take a picture of him. I got news for you. During the event, Constantino was joined by campaign aficionado Alex DeGrasse, who had expressed confidence in the remaining votes prior to the candidate’s appearance.

Anthony Constantino Claims NY-21 After Profanity-Laden Attacks on Press — Photo: cbs6albany.com

Constantino’s promises to the district include more reliable cellphone service throughout the North Country and an overhaul of government websites. Argyle resident Alex Dobbs was at Constantino’s watch party at his Amsterdam factory Tuesday night. There was no sense of if I vote for him, he’s going to do this, or he wants this or he stands for this.

Constantino Challenges Large American Companies to Issue Worker Bonuses

The economic footprint of the race was substantial. Constantino’s self-funded campaign expenditure reached $17 million, a figure he cited during his speech as he called on other large American companies to issue $1,000 bonuses to their employees. I’m officially asking every company in the United States of America, particularly the large ones, if you can swing it and you got cash in the bank, cut a check to your workers and give them a $1,000 bonus, just like me, Constantino stated.

Constantino declares victory in profanity-laced speech, kicks journalists out of watch party

Meanwhile, the Democratic outlook remains in limbo. Gendebien issued a statement saying that while the votes were not finalized, it appeared Constantino would “narrowly win,” and he wished Constantino well in Congress, urging him to always put the North Country first.

The shift in NY-21’s election results highlights how important this change is. The seat had been held by Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik for more than a decade, and Constantino’s more than 2-point lead in unofficial returns keeps the district under Republican control.

In obscenity-laced speech, Constantino orders 7 News crew to leave election-night party

Looking Toward the Future

In his closing remarks, he touched on national issues, suggesting that President Trump should consider “freeing Diddy”—referring to rapper Sean Combs—and engaged in a rhetorical challenge against Zohran.

For the residents of the 21st District, the future involves a transition to a candidate who has signaled his intent to confront the press and his political adversaries directly.