Anthony Constantino claimed victory Tuesday night in New York’s 21st Congressional District even though the race was still uncalled Wednesday night and thousands of ballots were still being tallied across the North Country. With about 95% of the vote reported, Constantino led Gendebien by about 6,000 votes.
The claim landed because the count was not finished. Voters in the district were still waiting on the final ballots while the result remained open, leaving the North Country’s House seat unsettled a day after Constantino spoke as if the race were over.
Constantino used his late-night speech to thank supporters, including employees of Sticker Mule, and said it had been very difficult for the company. He also took direct aim at what he called the evil news media. Gendebien had not conceded.
The numbers show why the race is still being watched closely. Turnout reached 55%, which was 5% lower than 2022. Six counties in the district turned blue, including Franklin, Essex and Clinton counties, a shift that helped keep the contest tight enough to matter even with a sizable lead on election night.
That is why Harvey Schantz said a reversal could still happen if more remaining votes were counted, even as he said Constantino was in the catbird seat for now. The friction came into view in the room itself: Garrett Domblewski said Constantino had earlier reached out and shaken his hand, then later focused on him, targeted a reporter from WCAX sister station WWNY, and ejected the news crew about 15 to 20 minutes later.
Elise Stefanik’s departure left the North Country seat open in this race, and the district’s Republican lean made Constantino’s lead look sturdy. But until the last ballots are counted, the victory he declared remains ahead of the official result, not settled by it.
