Republican voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide the party’s nomination in the 21st Congressional District.
Roll Call, a national political newsletter, called the primary between Anthony Constantino and Robert Smullen “the biggest contest for Republicans” on New York’s primary ballot.
The race is ending pretty much as it started — with personal attacks and little discussion of policies.
Constantino ran a digital ad alleging, without evidence, that Smullen mistreats the goats that control the grass on his solar farm.
Smullen posted a video on social media of Constantino supporters disrupting a town hall forum, which the Upstate Conservative Coalition held featuring the two candidates.
Constantino, a business man from Amsterdam who lives in Edinburgh in Saratoga County, and Smullen, a state assemblymember from Johnstown, are seeking the Republican nomination for the seat that is open because six-term Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) is not seeking reelection.
Constantino has emphasized his business experience while Smullen has emphasized his government and military experience.
Both candidates have been crisscrossing the 15-county district in recent days, posting social media videos from various businesses and cultural attractions.
Both candidates toured medical device plants Thursday.
Smullen toured NuMed in Hopkinton, in St. Lawrence County. Constantino toured Epimed in Johnstown with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who endorsed Constantino’s candidacy.
“Most important, in five days, you get a chance to put a good man in Congress. Tell all your friends and neighbors to go vote for Anthony,” Jordan said at a rally outside the medical device plant.
Mixed martial arts champion and former Olympic wrestler Henry Cejudo also endorsed Constantino on Thursday. President Donald Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giulianni are among those who have previously endorsed him.
The state Republican Committee and 12 of the 15 county Republican committees in the district have endorsed Smullen.
The other three county committees have not held endorsement votes.
Both candidates have either totally or heavily self-funded their campaigns.
Constantino had personally loaned his campaign $10 million as of June 3. Constantino is not accepting campaign contributions.
Smullen had personally loaned his campaign $1 million and had received $300,134 in campaign contributions as of June 3.
On Thursday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has endorsed Smullen, contributed $2,500 to Smullen’s campaign and the National Association of Realtors contributed $5,000.
The campaign is in the period when contributions of $1,000 or more must be reported within 48 hours.
As of Friday, Smullen had reported $14,500 in 48-hour notice contributions, including $3,500 from the political action committee of state Sen. Peter Oberacker (R-Schenevus), who is also running in a Republican primary Tuesday in New York’s 19th Congressional District.
Smullen already has the Conservative nomination, assuring him a spot on the November general election ballot regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s primary.
Constantino has secured an Independent line on the November general election ballot.
Democratic voters also go to the polls Tuesday to decide their party’s nominee.
Blake Gendebien, a farmer in Lisbon in St. Lawrence County, is running against Stuart Amoriell, a restaurant owner from Lake Placid.
Immigration enforcement has been the most defining issue in the race, with Amoriell saying the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency should be abolished and Genedien saying ICE should continue to be funded with reforms requiring ICE officers to wear uniforms, carry identification and not wear masks.
The Democratic primary has been quieter that than the Republican primary.