Will an upstate New Yorker's pro-Trump sign pave the road to Congress?

ALBANY, New York — A 42-year-old boxer in upstate New York is leveraging the 100-foot sign he built to support Donald Trump — and allies like Roger Stone and the president-elect’s son — into a bid to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik.

The man behind the sign, Anthony Constantino, wants Stefanik’s House seat and has been meeting GOP leaders with the power to select a nominee to replace her.

Constantino, who founded the printing company Sticker Mule, has ties to the Trump family. He told POLITICO he ate dinner with Donald Trump Jr. earlier this year and visited Mar-a-Lago in November. He’s also received support and unpaid advice from Stone, a longtime Trump ally.

Now, Constantino is applying the recognition he received for his enthusiastic Trump support — and a public fight with local officials over his sign — to a House run. His platform, in large part, is to counteract hatred toward the incoming president.

“The country needs more people like President Trump, Elon Musk, people like myself who don’t aspire to be politically involved people, but just want to do what’s right for the country,” Constantino said in an interview.

A special election for the sprawling, heavily Republican district — which runs from the outskirts of Albany to the Canadian border — has not been called, and Stefanik remains a House member as her nomination to the U.N. is pending Senate confirmation. A direct endorsement in the race from Trump or Stefanik would likely be one of the biggest factors for county leaders in making their selection. It would also be highly coveted by the candidates, but many have kept a low profile — in part out of deference to Stefanik and to not be seen as over eager.

Rep. Elise Stefanik's House seat will be vacant early next year and the contest is heating up for her replacement.

“Why would you not want to hear the input from Team Elise and Team Trump?” Fulton County GOP Chair Susan McNeil said. “Of course we want to hear from them.”

Trump has dipped into the House GOP conference to stock his administration — selections that will trigger special elections in states like New York and Florida. Those moves will temporarily shrink his party’s already narrow majority, but the incoming president could solidify his hold over the party by choosing favored successors for those lawmakers.

In the past, Trump has had a mixed record with his political endorsements — with sometimes disastrous consequences for Republicans. He backed scandal-scarred Senate candidates like Alabama’s Roy Moore and Herschel Walker in Georgia; both lost to Democrats.

Constantino, who has a flair for self-promotion on conservative podcasts and cable TV, fits into the mold of a new wave of candidates who’ve emerged in the Trump era. He has a near-constant presence on X where he shares his media appearances, highlights his business and promotes charitable causes.

If he becomes the nominee, he would leapfrog stalwart Republicans who are also vying for Stefanik’s seat. The group includes state lawmakers, a former House candidate and the party’s 2022 nominee for U.S. Senate, Joe Pinion. But Constantino has taken a more circuitous route to both the campaign and politics, underscoring how Trump has upended the regular order of the Republican Party — even on a local level.

Anthony Constantino's support for Donald Trump has drawn the attention of political operative Roger Stone (pictured).

Trump’s transition team did not respond to messages seeking comment on a possible endorsement.

Constantino is a former Democrat, having registered in the party when a high school friend was running for office in Albany. He recently changed his registration to the GOP, but one Republican county chair told POLITICO they did not see the party conversion as a deal-breaker.

All of the prospective candidates are pro-Trump, in keeping with a party that has been subsumed by the president-elect’s base. Stefanik, who was initially critical of Trump, zealously defended him during his first impeachment trial.

But Constantino fits into a different category entirely with his support of Trump. Compared to his rival Republicans, he would likely draw the most national attention.

The boxing pro gained fame among Trump supporters over the summer when he constructed a giant sign in the upstate New York city of Amsterdam in support of the GOP presidential nominee. Constantino said he was moved to do so after the attempt on Trump’s life at a Pennsylvania rally.

“One of the biggest problems in the country is anti-Trump hate and hatred toward Trump supporters,” Constantino said.

The sign led to controversy, and the city’s Democratic mayor sought a court order for it to be removed on the grounds it was too distracting for drivers. Constantino’s subsequent fight with the local government turned him into an overnight star with Trump’s MAGA base — and with the incoming president. Stone took notice and reached out, and Constantino received a letter of support from Trump himself. He later dined with Don Jr.

A state court ultimately sided with him over the sign, allowing it to stay up in time for a party. The mayor, Michael Cinquanti, did not return messages seeking comment.

The dispute with municipal bureaucrats and elected officials brought Constantino attention from conservative media outlets like Newsmax and Fox News. Stone, who has been active in New York politics over the years, praised him on a podcast, comparing him to Trump and Ronald Reagan.

Trump's endorsement in the race to replace Stefanik could carry a lot of influence with county leaders.

“I would argue that your lack of political experience is not a negative, it’s actually a plus,” Stone told him. “This is what the Founding Fathers actually envisioned.”

Stone did not return messages seeking comment. But Constantino — who acknowledged “there is a mixed opinion about Roger” — is taking advice from the notorious Republican operative whose 40-month prison sentence for obstruction was commuted by Trump in 2020.

“Roger appreciated what I did with the sign,” he said. “I got to know him through that. He’s been one of my biggest advocates.”

Constantino founded Sticker Mule, a company that sells customized stickers, labels and packaging in 2010. He employs more than 1,200 people and is based in Amsterdam, an upstate city about 40 minutes west of Albany. The majority of the company’s workers are based in upstate New York, but it also has a presence in Italy to service the European market. In 2022, Constantino became a professional boxer. He has a 4-1 record, which includes three professional fights, but has put his fighting career on hold.

Entering the political ring, of course, is a different type of challenge. He formed a campaign committee this month and, if he’s not tapped by local Republican leaders to run in the special election, plans to run outright for the GOP nomination in the 2026 election.

Constantino will fund his campaign with $2.6 million he said was earned when investing in the electric vehicle company Tesla — stock purchased when the share price dipped after Musk bought Twitter. Constantino posted a screenshot purporting to be his brokerage account as evidence he has the money.

Republican county chairs in the district are not expected to make their decision until after Stefanik receives Senate confirmation. Still, some local GOP leaders are intrigued by Constantino’s unusual path to politics.

“Like millions of Americans he’s become politically aware following Donald Trump — and a new brand of politics,” Saratoga County Republican Chair Joe Suhrada said.

Topics

New Yorkers braced for congestion charge

The city’s drivers are facing the spectre of paying to use the roads of lower Manhattan
Financial Times - 1d
Hegseth forced out of vets groups due to drinking, misconduct: New Yorker

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, was forced to step down by both of the two nonprofit advocacy groups that he ran due to mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety ...
The Hill - 1d
Pete Hegseth speaks for first time since New Yorker report on alleged misconduct

CBS News has confirmed that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to serve as the next U.S. defense secretary, was forced to step down from a previous leadership role with a nonprofit ...
CBS News - 20h
Council of Europe paves way for tougher action against wolves

Yahoo News - 8h
No pressure: Singer Lucinda Williams records album of Beatles songs at famed Abbey Road

Lucinda Williams isn’t easily intimidated, but it would be hard for any musician not to shudder at the task before her
ABC News - 2h
Democrats in Congress Criticize Biden’s Pardon of His Son Hunter

Lawmakers in the president’s own party, many of them moderates, said his decision to pardon his son was selfish and would further damage Americans’ waning faith in democracy and the rule of law.
The New York Times - 21h
Congress faces shutdown dilemma that could mess with Trump's first 100 days

Congress faces a Dec. 20 deadline to avert a government shutdown and is expected to kick the funding fight til early 2025 when President-elect Donald Trump will be in office.
NBC News - 8h
Congress readies another funding punt ahead of pre-Christmas shutdown deadline

Politico - 23h
Congress preps for spending sprint amid Biden pardon fallout

Politico - 1d
Rangers sign Higashioka, 34, to 2-year contract

After a standout season in which he finished with a career-high 17 home runs for the San Diego Padres, veteran catcher Kyle Higashioka, 34, signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers on ...
ESPN - 14h
UK auditors refuse to sign off Tees Valley regeneration project’s accounts

Accountants Mazars could not get sufficient assurance of Ben Houchen’s body before deadline
Financial Times - 2h
Groups urge Congress to rein in federal bureaucracy after Supreme Court slashes agency authority

A coalition of 19 conservative and libertarian groups sent a letter to congressional leaders Wednesday urging them to act after a major Supreme Court decision clawing back federal agency power. The ...
The Hill - 10h
2024 MLB Free Agency Tracker: Top players, newest signings, biggest contracts, best available, grades

Where will Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Corbin Burnes sign this offseason?
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Michigan football National Signing Day 2024: Recruiting updates, predictions from Wolverines insiders

The Michigan Insider 247 team looks ahead to Early National Signing Day 2024, Bryce Underwood and the rest of Sherrone Moore's Class of 2025
CBS Sports - 3h
Signing Day arrives early in 2024 as a juggling act of epic proportions: Why it is different this year

Before the transfer portal opens, an earlier-than-ever Signing Day begins
CBS Sports - 23h
College football recruiting: Four key storylines to follow during National Signing Day 2024

Top prospects to watch and one possible QB flip to track
CBS Sports - 23h
LeBron James, mired in shooting slump, is finally showing real signs of decline as he nears his 40th birthday

LeBron James has missed all 19 of his 3-point attempts over his last four games
CBS Sports - 1h
Job openings rise and more workers quit in sign of improving U.S. labor market

U.S. job openings rose slightly in October and the number of workers quitting one job for another rose to the highest level in five months, suggesting the labor market has improved after a soft ...
MarketWatch - 4h
Signing Day's race for No. 1: Georgia battling to finish on top in 2025's ranking of best recruiting classes

The Bulldogs are battling new SEC rival as well as a few familiar foes to finish No. 1 in the 2025 recruiting rankings
CBS Sports - 5h
Snyder's Soapbox: No, the Dodgers aren't bad for baseball and signing Blake Snell doesn't change that

Snell sat in free agency until March last year; this year his signing caused a wave of crying
CBS Sports - 4h
Former Pro Bowler says it was 'no-brainer' signing with Lions team 'kicking everybody's ass'

Jamal Adams reveals the reason he signed with Lions
CBS Sports - 2h
Mets, Cubs sign starting pitchers, Dodgers extend Edman, Juan Soto-Red Sox rumors | Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Mets signing Frankie Montas, the Cubs signing Matthew Boyd, and the Dodgers extending Tommy Edman before being joined by Liam Fennessy to talk about ...
Yahoo Sports - 22h
New Rules for Recruiters

Evaluating talent has become a lot more complicated, especially since truth became optional. So I’m taking a new approach.
Inc. - 8h
12/2: CBS Evening News

Biden faces backlash for granting pardon to son Hunter; Amazon's driver program faces criticism over safety issues
CBS News - 11h
The Freaks Who Rule New York

From a masked artist to a Broadway pioneer, these are the one-of-a-kind creative forces shaping the culture today.
The New York Times - 6h
The new weapons and neuroscience of Trump’s success

Social media and AI are particularly well-suited to inciting emotion, especially if they use distortions and lies, and have thus radically transformed American politics.
The Hill - 8h
Apple Podcasts – Top New Shows

Apple Podcasts charts for week ending Dec. 2
ABC News - 2h
Who is new Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald?

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says his new pick will be able to re-wire the British state.
BBC News - 1d
Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set new records

Cyber Monday could mark the biggest day in sales for e-commerce this year. CBS News' Nancy Chen is tracking the consumer news as the holiday shopping season begins.
CBS News - 1d
Traveling to Spain? These new rules just kicked in

Yahoo News - 23h
Sooners hire Arbuckle, 29, as new O-coordinator

Oklahoma has hired Washington State's Ben Arbuckle to be the Sooners' new offensive coordinator and playcaller.
ESPN - 14h
Florida becomes a new center of power with Trump's reelection

President-elect Donald Trump's "winter White House" is becoming a new hub of power in the U.S. Dave Levinthal, contributor at Business Insider, joins "America Decides" to discuss why lobbyists are ...
CBS News - 20h
Stunning or rubbish? Jaguar's new concept car divides opinion

The carmaker's new look is praised as "exciting" but others say it should "go back to the drawing board"
BBC News - 10h
VAR coach challenges coming to new competitions

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Monday approved expanded trials of Football Video Support (FVS), an alternative VAR system which gives coaches the chance to challenge decisions.
ESPN - 8h
New evidence uncovered in Princes in Tower mystery

A Huddersfield professor finds the first reference in 540 years of any item belonging to the princes.
BBC News - 14h