First on Fox: Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino has officially thrown his hat in the ring to fill the vacancy left by New York Rep. Elise Stefanik to serve in the Trump administration.
The pro-Trump businessman, who has erected a 100-foot “Vote for Trump” sign in New York City ahead of the election, tells Fox News Digital that he is self-funding his bid to succeed Stefanik after becoming U.S. ambassador. It will cost $2.6 million to do so. At the United Nations in January
“My phone is ringing and people are encouraging me to run, who want me to run,” Constantino, 40, said in an interview. “And just as President Trump was an outsider who brought a great skill set to politics, a great skill set to government, I think the country needs more people with similar backgrounds who are outsiders. Among them are the talented ones.”
Stefanik currently represents New York’s 21st Congressional District, which includes the strongly Republican North Country, a large part of upstate New York that includes the Adirondack Mountains and the Thousand Islands region. She is expected to resign from Congress after President-elect Trump tapped her to represent the United States at the United Nations.
Anthony Constantino, CEO of Stickermall, speaking at an event in New York. (Paul Antonelli)
“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve as US Ambassador to the United Nations in my Cabinet. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter,” Trump said. Trump said.
“I am truly honored to be nominated by President Trump to serve in his cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,” Stefanik said happily accepting the nomination. During the conversation, I shared how humbled I was to accept his nomination and that I looked forward to the support of my colleagues in the US Senate, the hope President Trump’s historic election has given the American people A reminder that brighter days are ahead – at home and abroad.”
His appointment then sets the stage for a special election to fill his seat in the 21st District. Successful re-election bid last week. Stefanik won with more than 24 percent of the vote against her opponent, Paula Collins.
Constantino filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday to set up his campaign committee. Previously a registered Democrat, he is now one of several Republicans expected to compete for the GOP nomination, a group that could include established state lawmakers, local officials and other veteran politicians. What makes him stand out, he says, is that until about three months ago, he had no intention of joining politics.
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Illuminated “Vote for Trump” sign at 26 Elk Street, Amsterdam, New York. (@stickermule | Instagram)
“The best thing about my situation is that, until recently, I had no political ambitions, which I think makes me a better candidate,” he said. “I just got involved because a bullet hit President Trump, and I spoke up right away, and I sent a message to five million users that was a massively viral message.”
On July 13, Trump was shot in the right ear by an assassin during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Two others in the crowd were injured in the shooting, and a third, volunteer firefighter Corey Comparator, was killed.
Constantino says he was inspired by the horrific act of violence to take a stand against “anti-Trump hate” and try to unite the country. He worked “around the clock” to support Trump’s White House campaign, forming a political action committee and defeating local Democratic officials who placed a $125,000 pro-Trump sign on the redeveloped Fownes glove factory building in Amsterdam. A case was filed for removal.
“President Trump has done really great things. He’s a great man. He’s done great things for the world. And he doesn’t deserve all the hate that’s been thrown at him, and his supporters. undeserved,” Constantino previously told Fox. News Digital.
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Stickermall CEO Anthony Constantino speaks at an event unveiling his 100-foot “Vote for Trump” sign in Amsterdam, New York. (Paul Antonelli)
Now that Trump has won a historic victory, Constantino believes the anti-Trump fervor that consumed half of the country before the election is fading. And with a desire to “do big things” and make an impact, he’s eyeing a seat in Congress.
“I like to make an impact. I like to do big things. And right now, this is probably the biggest, most impactful thing I can do with my life,” he said.
If elected, Constantino said his priorities will be to support businesses and help make New York a better place to live.
“The biggest problem in New York is people are leaving, and we have to bring energy and excitement back to New York. And we have to show America that New York is safe for people of all parties, Democrats and Republicans alike. He said.
There will not be a traditional Republican primary for the special election. Instead, both the GOP and Democratic nominees will be chosen by party chairs in the district. It’s a process that could benefit political insiders – other candidates for the post include ousted Rep. Mark Molinaro, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, state Sens. Dan Stack and Jack Ashby, and Assembly members Featuring Chris Teague and Robert Smolen. City and State of New York.
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But Constantino comes across as a wealthy self-made man and a favorite of the online MAGA movement thanks to pro-Trump gestures that went viral. The $2.6 million he will put into his campaign is the exact price of profits from his stock in Tesla, which he invested after Trump-supporting billionaire Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022. .
“I bet on @Tesla when Elon Musk bought Twitter and everyone failed to dump the stock. It made me $2.6 million to fully fund my campaign for the NY-21 congressional seat. Will use for,” he posted on X on Sunday. “Thank you @elonmusk!”
Constantino plans to meet with GOP chairs in his district to discuss how he can fund his candidacy without relying on party resources. He also hopes to gain Stefanik’s support as she is likely to play the role of kingmaker when it comes to his successor.
“I’m going to be self-funding my campaign,” Constantino told Fox News Digital. “I want people to know that I’m not going to be beholden to any special interests.” I’m doing it for the right reasons. I will always do what I think is right, what I think is morally right, morally right and what is best. For the people.”
Bailey Hill of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
