{"id":21688,"date":"2026-04-21T21:17:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/trumps-pick-to-replace-stefanik\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T21:17:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T21:17:50","slug":"trumps-pick-to-replace-stefanik","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/trumps-pick-to-replace-stefanik\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump\u2019s pick to replace Stefanik"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Sticker<\/p>\n

DAYS THE BUDGET IS LATE: 21<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

TRUMP FOR CONSTANTINO: <\/b>Republican House candidate Anthony Constantino\u2019s campaign to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik is a textbook example of how aligning with the MAGA extended universe pays off.<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump today endorsed Constantino<\/a>, the brash and hard-edged CEO of Sticker Mule, over Assemblymember Robert Smullen.<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s nod for the businessperson is a microcosm of a decade of Republican politics. Smullen has lined up institutional support from the state GOP, county chairs and his fellow elected officials in Albany.<\/p>\n

But none of that matters to Trump, who won his own insurgent primary a decade ago by bucking the Republican establishment.<\/p>\n

Now the president is backing Constantino, who has assembled his own slate of endorsees far more suited to Trump\u2019s temperament. That includes Rudy Giuliani, who backed Constantino after the candidate, according to his telling, wrote a \u201cbeautiful two-page letter\u201d to the former New York City mayor.<\/p>\n

Constantino has also enlisted Trump confidant and political operative Roger Stone.<\/p>\n

Those ties were not lost on the president when he posted on Truth Social this afternoon. \u201cAnthony is strongly supported by many of the most Highly Respected MAGA Warriors in our Movement, including Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Roger Stone!\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

Then of course, there\u2019s the large \u201cVote for Trump\u201d sign Constantino erected atop a building that can be seen from Interstate 90.<\/p>\n

That kind of tangible loyalty \u2014 which withstood a legal challenge<\/a> by local Democrats \u2014 also played well with the president.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnthony has been such a Great Supporter that he actually put up a somewhat \u2018controversial\u2019 sign, against strong opposition, in my honor,\u201d Trump posted. \u201cThe sign is still there!\u201d<\/p>\n

For his part, Smullen \u2014 whose support from numerous county chairs doesn\u2019t quite equate to the large pro-Trump signage visible from I-90 \u2014 was publicly unconcerned by the president weighing in on the primary.<\/p>\n

\u201cA consultant got to the president, somebody who is being paid by my opponent,\u201d he told our Bill Mahoney. \u201cAnd I think the president\u2019s made a mistake here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, it\u2019s hard not to view this development as anything but a massive blow for Smullen, running to succeed an ardently pro-MAGA House lawmaker in a district that the president won three times.<\/p>\n

The endorsement also highlights the strange position the state GOP finds itself in. The party took the unusual step of backing Smullen in the race amid deep concerns from party leaders over Constantino\u2019s temperament.<\/p>\n

New York Republicans are preparing for a future without Stefanik as its leader and top fundraiser with national standing. The North Country House lawmaker was in line to become Trump\u2019s United Nations ambassador, only to have the nod yanked amid a messy selection process to pick her successor. Hard feelings from Stefanik\u2019s team following the scuttled special election to replace her have lingered as a result.<\/p>\n

One GOP official chortled at the situation, which also comes after Stefanik bowed out of the race for governor following Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman\u2019s entrance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey knifed Elise in the special and then they got crushed by Roger Stone,\u201d said the person, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. \u201cIt is just the beginning of Elise\u2019s allies including the president settling the score as Elise is in the midst of her successful book tour!\u201d<\/p>\n

For Constantino\u2019s part, the endorsement is another step in what had initially seemed like a long-shot bid.<\/p>\n

“I had a great talk with President Trump and am honored to receive his endorsement,\u201d he said in a statement. \u201cHe noted every primary candidate he endorses wins so I look forward to winning the general election and making everyone who supported me very proud once I am in Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n

FROM CITY HALL<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

CC YOU IN COURT: <\/b>A prominent police union filed a federal lawsuit against the Civilian Complaint Review Board today, alleging the oversight body is tarnishing officers\u2019 reputations by releasing unredacted \u2014 and unsubstantiated \u2014 complaints against cops.<\/p>\n

Beginning in October, the suit<\/a> from the New York City Police Benevolent Association alleges, the CCRB began responding to Freedom of Information Law requests about three types of allegations against officers \u2014 sexual misconduct, racial bias and offering false statements \u2014 by releasing unredacted complaints that are then subsequently uploaded to a public database<\/a>. Because CCRB does not redact identifying information, the police union argued, the accused officers\u2019 reputations, safety, and employment prospects are unduly damaged.<\/p>\n

\u201cCCRB\u2019s under-the-table collusion with anti-police activists to smear cops with false complaints is not only unfair and unconstitutional \u2014 it is a calculated effort to end proactive enforcement and drive cops away from the job,\u201d PBA President Patrick Hendry said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The PBA argued the complaint board is aware of how damaging the allegations can be to cops. The CCRB publishes a redacted version of the complaints on its own website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s Law Department declined to comment. And a CCRB spokesperson defended the agency but noted its ability to comment was limited by the suit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe CCRB\u2019s investigations are complete, thorough and impartial,\u201d spokesperson Dakota Gardner said in a statement. \u201cThe Agency continually reviews all applicable laws and regulations regarding the public release of its records, including disciplinary histories of members of service, to ensure it is fully compliant.\u201d \u2014 Joe Anuta<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

CHARTERING A NEW COURSE?: <\/b>Mamdani said at an unrelated press conference that his administration is weighing its options regarding the future of former Mayor Eric Adams\u2019 Charter Revision Commission<\/a>, which convened publicly for the first time Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are reviewing all of the options that we have when it comes to this previously set up charter review,\u201d Mamdani said at the press conference in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

Pressed on what those options might entail, the mayor added little clarity aside from noting with a laugh that \u201cmore and more are being presented by the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

The commission\u2019s meeting focused on procedural steps, including selecting acting chair Gilford Monrose, as reported in today’s Playbook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Created on Adams\u2019 final day in office, the commission is tasked with crafting ballot proposals, including one to establish an open primary election system. This shift could complicate reelection prospects for Mamdani by opening the Democratic primary electorate up to a larger, more moderate-leaning pool of voters.<\/p>\n

Mamdani \u2014 who has previously criticized the body as undemocratic \u2014 has several avenues to blunt its work. Charter experts say one option for the mayor\u2019s office would be installing a chair who could stall proceedings.<\/p>\n

Randy Mastro, the former first deputy mayor under Adams who\u2019s now advising the commission pro bono, told Playbook yesterday he has received no assurances from the Mamdani administration about its plans. A person familiar with the matter said Mastro has also discussed the commission with Mamdani\u2019s corporation counsel, Steve Banks.<\/p>\n

Still, Mastro downplayed the influence of any single appointee amid the possibility of a Mamdani-selected chair helming the commission.<\/p>\n

\u201cI welcome anyone who wants to participate in a constructive process to improve our local democracy,\u201d Mastro said. \u2014 Gelila Negesse<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL<\/h3>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

PRIMARY COLORS: <\/b>Former state Assemblymember Taylor Darling ended her primary bid against battleground Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen earlier this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, the technicalities of the current system make it challenging for community focused campaigns to fully participate in the Democratic process,\u201d Darling wrote on social media<\/a>. \u201cWhile I respect the rules, it is clear that these barriers need to be addressed if we want a system where all voices, especially those from our communities, are heard and valued.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any primary challenger is poised to have an uphill climb against the incumbent Gillen, who has more than $3 million on hand. Darling, who entered the race<\/a> after Gillen voted in support of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, raised just $24,000 last quarter and had $15,000 in the bank. Progressive organizer Kiana Bierria-Anderson is also in the race, though she said her petitions to get on the ballot are being challenged<\/a>. \u2014<\/i> Madison Fernandez<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

IN OTHER NEWS<\/h3>\n

\u2014 WATCHDOG BARKS:<\/b> Citizens Budget Commission urges lawmakers to limit government spending and hold off on tax hikes as new report shows tens of thousands of New Yorkers are leaving the city. (Gothamist<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 POLLUTERS PAY:<\/b> Republicans in Congress are aiming to end New York\u2019s climate law that requires fossil fuel companies to pay for weather-related damages. (Newsday<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u2014 THAT STINKS:<\/b> As state-funded daycare expands in New York, new education mandates regarding potty training and diaper changes for young students have left schools scrambling to create new policies. (New York Post<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Missed this morning\u2019s New York Playbook? We forgive you. <\/b>Read it here<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DAYS THE BUDGET IS LATE: 21 TRUMP FOR CONSTANTINO: Republican House candidate Anthony Constantino\u2019s campaign to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik is a textbook example of how aligning with the MAGA extended universe pays off. President Donald Trump today endorsed Constantino, the brash and hard-edged CEO of Sticker Mule, over Assemblymember Robert Smullen. Trump\u2019s nod for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21688\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelightnews.com\/category\/politics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}