Stec Announces Bid In Stefanik Seat

Well, here we go, folks—the political merry-go-round is spinning in New York’s 21st Congressional District, and the race to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik is already heating up. With Stefanik set to leave her House seat to become President-elect Trump’s U.N. ambassador, all eyes are on who’s going to step up and claim this coveted spot in Congress. And let me tell you, this isn’t just another local race—it’s a high-stakes contest with national implications.

First up, we’ve got New York State Senator Dan Stec, a Republican, Navy veteran, and no stranger to the political stage. Stec made his candidacy official on Christmas Eve—because nothing says “holiday spirit” like diving headfirst into a political campaign. But hey, credit where credit’s due—the man isn’t wasting any time.

Stec’s argument is pretty straightforward: “I’m the most electable candidate.” And honestly, he might have a point. He’s already well-known in the North Country, having represented much of the district in Albany for over a decade. He’s got name recognition, he’s got a track record, and he’s got a recent election win under his belt with over 104,000 votes to his name. Now, sure, that’s only about half of what Stefanik pulled in her last race, but in a special election with lower turnout, Stec’s established base could be a decisive advantage.

But Stec isn’t running unopposed on the Republican side. Enter Anthony Constantino, the Sticker Mule CEO and self-proclaimed political outsider. This guy isn’t just bringing campaign signs—he’s bringing giant campaign signs.

Remember that 100-foot “Vote for Trump” sign he built in upstate New York? Yeah, that was him. And Constantino isn’t just talking the talk; he’s walking the walk by pledging $2.6 million of his own money to fund his campaign. That’s not chump change, folks—that’s a serious financial war chest.

Then there’s the list of potential Republican contenders still lurking in the shadows. Names like state Assemblymen Robert Smullen and Christopher Tague, and Rensselaer County Executive Steven McLaughlin, have been tossed around. Whether they’ll jump into the ring remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—the GOP bench in upstate New York is looking pretty deep.

Now let’s not forget the Democrats, who are eyeing this special election like it’s a golden opportunity. Historically, opposition parties tend to overperform in special elections, especially when voter enthusiasm on their side is high. Assemblyman Billy Jones has been floated as a possible contender, along with previous challengers Matt Castelli and Paula Collins, who both have some name recognition from past campaigns.

But let’s be real: New York’s 21st District leans Republican—it’s currently rated R+9 by the Cook Political Report. For Democrats to flip this seat, they’d need a perfect storm: a strong candidate, a splintered Republican field, and high Democratic turnout. Not impossible, but definitely an uphill climb.

Stec, for his part, seems ready for the challenge. He’s playing up his experience, his conservative principles, and his track record of serving the district. And he’s not mincing words when it comes to distinguishing himself from Democrats: “I don’t have any votes that I’m embarrassed that I would have to explain.” Translation? He’s prepared to run on his record, and he’s not worried about skeletons in his legislative closet.