NY-21: A special election scramble to be Elise Stefanik's successor
The dominos are starting to fall after President-elect Donald Trump’s win last week, and it will mean a new face in Congress for North Country residents. Rep. Elise Stefanik will eventually resign after accepting Trump’s offer to be U.N. ambassador and a special election date would have to be set within 90 days of her departure. And North Country Republicans shouldn’t be too worried about losing the seat to Democrats.
Stefanik’s 21st Congressional District encompasses the North Country, a sort of rural hinterland that spans from the edges of the Capitol Region to the Vermont and Canadian borders. The district has predominantly had Republican representation over the years, save for former Rep. Bill Owens’ tenure during the Obama administration, but under Stefanik and the rise of a Trump-driven Republican Party, the district is one of the deep-red parts of the state. There are a few blue pockets in places like Lake Placid and Plattsburgh, but several counties haven’t set up Democratic committees given the partisan makeup of the area.
There are already a few Republican politicians being discussed to replace Stefanik, including Rep. Marc Molinaro, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, state Sens. Dan Stec and Jake Ashby, and Assembly Members Chris Tague and Robert Smullen. Assembly Member Billy Jones is also considered an option for Democrats. Anthony Constantino, a vocal Trump supporter and CEO of printing company Sticker Mule, has formed a committee to run for the seat. Stefanik’s challenger in 2024, Democratic nominee Paula Collins, has also notified party leaders that she is interested in running for the seat again.
The question that no one has been able to answer is who does Stefanik want to replace her. Her team did not respond to requests for comment, but the influential lawmaker not only unified the district behind her but will likely play kingmaker as party insiders search for a nominee.
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2024/11/special-election-scramble-be-elise-stefaniks-successor/401046/?oref=csny-category-lander-featured-river