Smullen Earns Endorsement of Entire New York Assembly Republican Conference, Cementing Front-Runner Status in NY-21

ALBANY, New York (March 23, 2026) – Assemblyman Robert Smullen today announced that every member of the New York Assembly Republican Conference — the top leaders of President Donald J. Trump’s movement in New York and the frontline fighters for his America First agenda — has endorsed his campaign for Congress in New York’s 21st Congressional District.

The unified endorsement from Assembly Republicans underscores Smullen’s position as the clear front-runner in the Republican primary and the candidate best positioned to carry President Trump’s agenda to Washington. The support of these battle-tested conservative leaders builds on Smullen’s growing and unmatched coalition, including the endorsements of the Republican Party of New York, the Conservative Party of New York, and 11 of 15 Republican county committees across NY-21. The campaign’s endorsement sheet confirms support from the full Assembly Republican Conference.

“I'm honored to have the support of my Republican colleagues in the Assembly,” said Smullen. “They know my record, they know my values, and they know I have spent my life fighting for our country and for Upstate New York. This campaign is about experience, leadership, and who is prepared to go to Washington and deliver results. I am ready for that fight.”

Smullen brings a record and résumé no one else in the field can match. He is the only Trump-appointed candidate in this race, having been appointed by President Donald J. Trump to the President’s Commission on White House Fellows. He is a 24-year Marine Corps veteran who served three combat tours in Afghanistan, rose to the rank of Colonel, helped shape national defense strategy at the Pentagon, and now serves as a small business owner, husband, father, and one of the most respected conservative leaders in Albany.

In the Assembly, Smullen has earned the trust of his colleagues through a record of conservative leadership and results. He serves as Chairman of the Republican Conference, was elected Chair of the Assembly Republican Review Committee by his peers, and has been a leading voice for lower taxes, public safety, constitutional rights, and the Upstate communities too often ignored by Albany Democrats.

“Republicans across New York understand that this campaign has the support, the momentum, and the message to win,” Smullen said. “We are going to win this primary, unite this district, stand with President Trump to deliver his America First agenda in Congress, and take on the woke left that has done so much damage to our state and our country.”

Endorsing Members of the New York Assembly Republican Conference:
Jodi Giglio (2nd District), Joseph DeStefano (3rd District), Doug Smith (5th District), Jarett Gandolfo (7th District), Michael Fitzpatrick (8th District), Michael Durso (9th District), Keith Brown (12th District), David McDonough (14th District), Jake Blumencranz (15th District), Daniel Norber (16th District), John Mikulin (17th District), Edward Ra (19th District), Eric Ari Brown (20th District), Michael Novakhov (45th District), Alec Brook-Krasny (46th District), Lester Chang (49th District), Michael Reilly (62nd District), Samuel Pirozzolo (63rd District), Michael Tannousis (64th District), Matthew Slater (94th District), Karl Brabenec (98th District), Brian Maher (101st District), Christopher Tague (102nd District), Anil Beephan Jr. (105th District), Scott H. Bendett (107th District), Mary Beth Walsh (112th District), Matthew Simpson (114th District), Scott Gray (116th District), Kenneth Blankenbush (117th District), William Barclay (120th District), Joe Angelino (121st District), Brian Miller (122nd District), Christopher Friend (124th District), John Lemondes Jr. (126th District), Brian Manktelow (130th District), Jeff Gallahan (131st District), Philip Palmesano (132nd District), Andrea K. Bailey (133rd District), Josh Jensen (134th District), Stephen Hawley (139th District), Patrick Chludzinski (143rd District), Paul Bologna (144th District), Angelo J. Morinello (145th District), David DiPietro (147th District), Joe Sempolinski (148th District), Andrew Molitor (150th District).