First broadcast on FOX: Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino has officially thrown his hat into the ring to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to the Trump administration.
The pro-Trump businessman who erected 100-foot-tall “Vote for Trump” signs in upstate New York before the election says he will spend $2.6 million of his own money to replace Stefanik if she becomes U.S. ambassador, Fox said. to the United Nations in January, told News Digital.
“My phone keeps ringing with people encouraging me to run, people wanting me to run,” Constantino, 40, said in an interview. “And in the same way that President Trump was an outsider and brought a great skill set to politics and brought a great skill set to government, this country needs more outsider talent with similar backgrounds. And I happen to be one of them. ”
Stefanik currently represents New York's 21st Congressional District, which includes the heavily Republican North Country, a vast area of upstate New York that includes much of the Adirondack Mountains and Thousand Islands region. She is expected to resign from Congress after President-elect Trump nominates her to be the U.S. representative to the United Nations.
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Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino speaks at an event in New York. (Paul Antonelli)
“I am honored to appoint Speaker Elise Stefanik to my Cabinet as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter,” President Trump said.
Stefanik happily accepted the nomination, saying, “I am truly honored to be nominated by President Trump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.During my conversations with President Trump, I felt confident in accepting his nomination.'' I shared how horrified and humbled I felt.” President Trump's historic landslide election gave Americans hope and reminded us that brighter days are ahead at home and abroad. ”
Her appointment sets the stage for a special election to fill her seat in the 21st District after her successful re-election last week. Stefanik secured a victory over her opponent Paula Collins with more than 24% of the vote.
Constantino filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday to form a campaign committee. Previously registered as a Democrat, he is now one of several Republicans expected to vie for the party's nomination, a group that includes influential state legislators, local officials and others. may include experienced politicians. What sets him apart, in his opinion, is that he had no intention of entering politics until about three months ago.
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An illuminated “Vote for Trump” sign at 26 Elk Street in Amsterdam, New York. (@stickermule | Instagram)
“The best thing about my situation is that until recently I had no political ambitions. I think that makes me a better candidate,” he said. “I just came on board because President Trump got shot, and I immediately spoke up and sent a message to my 5 million customers. It was a very viral message.”
On July 13, a would-be assassin's bullet struck President Trump in the right ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunfire injured two people in the crowd and killed a third volunteer firefighter, Corey Comperatore.
Constantino said the horrific act of violence inspired him to stand up against “anti-Trump hatred” and seek to unify the country. He worked “around the clock” to support President Trump's campaign, formed a political action committee, and installed a $125,000 pro-Trump billboard in a repurposed Fauns glove factory building in Amsterdam. defeated local Democratic Party officials who filed a lawsuit seeking its removal.
Constantino previously said: “President Trump has done some really great things. He's a great human being. He's done great things for the world. And he doesn't deserve all the hate that's been directed at him and his supporters. We don't deserve it,” he previously told FOX. News Digital.
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Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino spoke at an event to unveil a 100-foot “Vote Trump” sign in Amsterdam, New York. (Paul Antonelli)
Now that Trump has won his historic victory, Constantino believes the anti-Trump fervor that gripped half the country before the election is waning. And with a desire to “do big things” and influence, he is eyeing a seat in Congress.
“I like to have an impact. I like to do big things, and right now this is probably the biggest and most impactful thing I can do in my life,” he said.
Constantino said his priorities if elected would be to support businesses and make New York a better place to live.
“New York's biggest problem is that people are leaving. We have to bring energy and enthusiasm back to New York and make sure New York is safe for people of all political parties, Democrats and Republicans alike.” '', he said.
The special election does not involve a traditional Republican primary. Instead, both Republican and Democratic candidates will be selected by the district party chair. This could be a process that favors political insiders. Other candidates for the job include ousted U.S. Rep. Mark Molinaro, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, state Sens. Dan Steck and Jake Ashby, and state Sen. Chris Ashby, City & State reported. Mr. Tagoo and Congressman Robert Smullen are said to have been floated. new york.
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But Constantino entered the fray as a self-made wealthy man, and his pro-Trump billboard made him a darling of the online MAGA movement. He plans to meet with his district's Republican Party chairmen to discuss ways to raise money for his candidacy without relying on party funds. He also hopes to have Stefanik's support, as he is likely to act as a kingmaker when it comes to Stefanik's successor.
“I'm going to fund my campaign. I don't want to be a waste of the party,” Constantino told FOX News Digital. “What I want people to know is that I'm not bound by any special interests. I'm doing this for the right reasons. I always do what I think is right, ethically. Do what you think is right, what you think is ethically right, and what you think is best for the people. ”
Fox News Digital’s Bailee Hill contributed to this report.
