The state Conservative Party announced Tuesday, Feb. 10 that state Assemblymember Robert Smullen is the “presumptive choice” for the party’s nomination in the 21st Congressional District.
“Although the interview process continues and the circulation of petitions begins on Feb. 24, Bob Smullen has met with the majority of the organized counties in the 21st Congressional District, and the NYS Conservative Party wishes to send a clear signal that Bob Smullen will be our nominee,” the party announced in a news release.
The announcement sets up the possibility of a three-way general election contest.
Once the nomination becomes official, it virtually assures Smullen a line on the November general election ballot, regardless of the outcome of the Republican primary against Amsterdam businessman Anthony Constantino, who lives in Edinburg, Saratoga County.
Smullen and Constantino are running for the Republican nomination for the seat that will be open because six-term Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) is not seeking reelection.
Andrew Davis, a spokesman for the Conservative Party, said Tuesday that the party expects that Smullen, should he lose the Republican primary, would continue to actively campaign on the Conservative line, but the decision would be up to the candidate.
“We would expect it to happen on our line, regardless,” he said.
Smullen could benefit, too, from having the Conservative line, if he does win the Republican primary.
New York state election law allows candidate to run on multiple lines in the general election and combine the number of votes received on all lines.
There were 9,216 active registered Conservatives in the district, as of Nov. 1, about 1.8% of active enrolled voters.
However, the Conservative line appears to have become the line of choice for right-leaning independents, based on voting patterns in recent 21st Congressional District elections.
In 2024, Stefanik received 6% of the total vote on the Conservative line and 6.3% in 2022.
Smullen said in a news release Tuesday the Conservative endorsement makes him “the undeniable front runner” in the 21st Congressional District race.
“This endorsement ensures that our campaign will be on the ballot in November, and it reinforces the importance of Republicans and Conservatives coming together to keep this seat in Republican hands,” said Smullen, a retired Marine Corps colonel and four-term Assemblyman from Johnstown. “I have spent my time in public service fighting for conservative causes, not talking about them.”
‘IT’S NOT A DONE DEAL YET’
Constantino on Tuesday downplayed the significance of Smullen receiving the Conservative endorsement.
“It’s just an act of desperation,” he said in a telephone interview.
Constantino said it’s possible the Conservative Party could change its choice of candidates before the end of the petitioning process.
“I plan to win the Republican primary. I’d love to have the Conservative line,” he said. “It’s not a done deal yet.”
Because Constantino is not a registered Conservative, he would need permission from the Conservative Party to run on the Conservative line.
OTHER ENDORESEMENTS
The Conservative Party, in its endorsement of Smullen, praised his military record, voting record in the Assembly and support for President Donald Trump.
“In the State Assembly, since first being elected to represent the 118th Assembly District in 2018, Bob has maintained one of the highest Conservative ratings in the Legislature. In Congress, Bob is committed to the president’s domestic and international agenda of restoring the economy, protecting our borders and renewing the hard-earned respect we gained abroad.”
Smullen is also building support among Republican leaders.
On Saturday, Smullen announced the Washington County Republican Committee endorsed his candidacy.
Republican committees in Warren, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and Herkimer counties previously had endorsed Smullen.
No county Republican committees had endorsed Constantino, as of Tuesday.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
Four candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination: Stuart Amoriell, a restaurant owner from Lake Placid; Blake Gendebien, a farmer from Lisbon, in St. Lawrence; Malon Haller, a snow removal laborer and political activist from Amsterdam; and Dylan Hewitt, a former White House trade adviser from Glens Falls.