Smullen Clear Winner of Debate As Constantino's Record Collapses Under Scrutiny

Lifelong Democrat Anthony Constantino spends the night defending antisemitic merchandise, tax liens, staff scandals -- while Smullen makes the case for NY-21

ALBANY, New York – Robert Smullen, retired Marine Corps Colonel, New York State Assemblyman, and Republican candidate for Congress in New York’s 21st District, won today’s CBS6 debate decisively, drawing a sharp contrast with lifelong Democrat Anthony Constantino – a self-funded cop hater whose background raises serious questions about his character, his values, and his honesty.


"North Country voters got to see exactly what this race is about," said Smullen. "On one side, a lifetime of service, a clear conservative record, and a real connection to this district. On the other, a lifelong Democrat who changed his registration the moment he decided to run for Congress, and whose business has been tied to anti-police propaganda and antisemitic merchandise."


A Democrat by Any Other Name

Lifelong Democrat Anthony Constantino was registered as a Democrat in 2018 and again in 2022. He did not register as a Republican until 2024 -- the same year he decided to run for Congress. He did not vote in the 2016 or 2020 Republican presidential primaries. He donated to Paul Tonko, a congressman who voted to impeach President Trump.


Constantino's company, Sticker Mule, did business with the North Carolina Democrat Party, the Oklahoma Democrat Party, and the DNC.


Antisemitic Merchandise. Anti-Police Stickers.

Sticker Mule sells stickers attacking President Trump, MAGA Republicans, and law enforcement. It sells anti-police and anti-ICE stickers, including stickers that say “KILL THE POLICE.”


The same company lifelong Democrat Anthony Constantino built his campaign around manufactured, sold, and profited from stickers reading "The Jews Did This." Those stickers appeared at gas stations, including one in Ohio. They were only removed after StopAntisemitism called them out publicly.


After the George Floyd riots, Constantino himself called for ending police unions, re-evaluating all officers within 30 days, and removing officers without due process.


Scandals, Liens, and a Fabricated Ad

The problems don't end there. Lifelong Democrat Anthony Constantino:


  • Had tax liens in Kansas ($7,040), Ohio ($1,814), and Wyoming ($5,323) -- and denied they existed.
  • Hired a man charged with murder in Nevada, who remained on the campaign payroll until early 2026.
  • Had on staff a man who pled guilty to inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl.
  • Employed a man convicted of fraud for forging petition signatures.


Refused to Debate – Then Had No Answers When He Finally Showed Up

For months, lifelong Democrat Anthony Constantino declined debates with WWNY/WCAX, WUTQ 100.7, the Daily Gazette/Glove Theater, and NY1 -- offering a different excuse each time. He called Robert Smullen a coward on social media while refusing to appear on a debate stage himself. He only reversed course at the eleventh hour for tonight’s debate with CBS6.


When he finally showed up, the record spoke for itself.


"This district deserves a representative who has actually lived here, served this country, and has the record to back it up," Smullen said. "I'm proud to make that case -- and tonight, I did."


The NY-21 Republican primary is June 23.