{"id":2512768,"date":"2025-11-20T11:08:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T16:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-republican-launches-campaign-for-stefaniks-house-seat\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T11:09:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T16:09:13","slug":"new-york-republican-launches-campaign-for-stefaniks-house-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-republican-launches-campaign-for-stefaniks-house-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Republican launches campaign for Stefanik&#8217;s House seat"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-york-republican-launches-campaign-for-stefaniks-house-seat%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2512768&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Robert Smullen, a New York Republican assemblyman and former U.S. Marine, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/inside-the-privacy-battle-raging-between-apple-and-facebook\/\" title=\"Inside The Privacy Battle Raging Between Apple And Facebook\">officially launched<\/a> his 2026 campaign to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik in New York&#8217;s 21st Congressional District. Stefanik is vacating her seat to run for governor. Smullen, who has served in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-red-wave-of-conservative-women-elected-to-congress\/\" title=\"The Red Wave of Conservative Women Elected to Congress\">state assembly<\/a> since 2018 and has a 24-year military background with three combat tours in Afghanistan, is the first GOP candidate to enter the race. He emphasizes his commitment to representing Upstate New York and aligning with former President Donald Trump&#8217;s policies, including strong national security and economic growth for working families. Other Republicans, such as Joe Pinion and Anthony Constantino, may also run, while Democrats Blake Gendebien and Dylan Hewitt have declared their candidacies for the district, which is traditionally Republican. Stefanik&#8217;s gubernatorial campaign marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the region.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">New York Republican launches campaign for Stefanik&rsquo;s House seat<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2407717\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\">New York<\/a> GOP assemblyman on Thursday launched his 2026 campaign for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house\/\">House<\/a> seat that will be vacated by Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elise-stefanik\/\">Elise Stefanik<\/a> (R-NY) as she runs for governor.<\/p>\n<p>Robert Smullen is the first Republican to enter the race for Stefanik&rsquo;s seat.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3892781\/north-carolina-whatley-cooper-charlotte-ice-operations\/\">North Carolina Senate candidate Whatley blames rival Cooper for Charlotte ICE operations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3892932\/house-ethics-committee-announces-investigation-cory-mills\/\">House Ethics Committee announces investigation into Cory Mills ahead of censure vote<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3892626\/mamdani-not-time-chi-osse-primary-hakeem-jeffries\/\">Mamdani says&nbsp;it&#8217;s&nbsp;&#8216;not the time&#8217; for Osse to primary Jeffries<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;For too long, Washington has forgotten the people of Upstate New York,&rdquo; he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.robertsmullenforcongress.com\/my-post\">said in a statement<\/a>. &ldquo;As a Marine and a public servant, I&rsquo;ve dedicated my life to defending our freedoms, fighting for our communities, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jen-psaki-dodges-question-on-if-democrats-using-incendiary-rhetoric-is-different-than-trump-remarks\/\" title=\"Jen Psaki Dodges Question On If Democrats Using \u2018Incendiary Rhetoric\u2019 Is Different Than Trump Remarks\">putting people<\/a> before politics. It&rsquo;s time to send a servant leader to Washington who will always put Upstate First.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"B-9HWdThoW0\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Upstate First\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B-9HWdThoW0?feature=oembed&amp;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>First elected in 2018, Smullen currently represents New York&rsquo;s 118th Assembly District. He previously led three combat tours in Afghanistan while serving in the United States Marine Corps for 24 years and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >helped shape defense strategy<\/a> at the Pentagon.<\/p>\n<p>Smullen was appointed by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> during his first term to be a member of the President&rsquo;s Commission on White House Fellows from 2018 to 2021.<\/p>\n<p>In his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-newest-political-crush-is-privileged-harvard-grad-who-pointed-gun-at-unarmed-black-man\/\" title=\"Democrats\u2019 Newest Political Crush Is \u2018Privileged\u2019 Harvard Grad Who Pointed Gun at Unarmed Black Man\">campaign announcement<\/a>, the New York Republican vowed to work alongside Trump in Congress if elected next year.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I served under President Trump&rsquo;s leadership and share his vision for a strong America, secure borders, and an economy that works for working people,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;In Congress, I&rsquo;ll continue that mission &mdash; fighting alongside President Trump and building on the incredible success of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, our next Governor, to deliver results for the families of Upstate New York.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Smullen expressed interest in Stefanik&rsquo;s seat when Trump appointed her for the position of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations earlier this year. The congresswoman&rsquo;s nomination was later withdrawn by the White House because of the House GOP&rsquo;s narrow majority. Smullen later asked people to consider him for the House seat if Stefanik ran for governor.<\/p>\n<p>She ultimately did end up running, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3878922\/elise-stefanik-new-york-governor-bid\/\">announcing her decision<\/a> to challenge incumbent Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kathy-hochul\/\">Kathy Hochul<\/a> (D-NY) after New York City&rsquo;s mayoral election this month.<\/p>\n<p>Stefanik is currently the only Republican running against Hochul. However, she may attract GOP primary competition from Nassau County Executive <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3879985\/gop-rival-slams-stefanik-gubernatorial-bid\/\">Bruce Blakeman<\/a> if he chooses to enter the race.<\/p>\n<p>Regarding the race for Stefanik&rsquo;s to-be-vacated seat, Republicans Joe Pinion and Anthony Constantino are considering throwing their hats in the ring.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3891373\/stefanik-new-york-hochul-prison-closure\/\">STEFANIK RIPS NEW YORK GUBERNATORIAL RIVAL HOCHUL FOR &lsquo;HEARTLESSLY&rsquo; CLOSING PRISON BEFORE HOLIDAYS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On the Democratic side, Blake Gendebien and Dylan Hewitt have already declared their long-shot bids for the solidly Republican-held seat. Stefanik has represented New York&rsquo;s 21st Congressional District since 2015.<\/p>\n<p>Smullen is expected to deliver a campaign announcement later Thursday at the Holiday Inn hotel in Johnstown, New York.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NY Republican Robert Smullen launches bid for Stefanik&#8217;s seat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2512769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP19029743786661.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4087,32120,3911,3973],"class_list":["post-2512768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign","tag-new-york","tag-republican","tag-stefanik"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP19029743786661.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512768"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2512772,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512768\/revisions\/2512772"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2512769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}