Gendebien Leads Constantino in New York 21st District Race

Democrat Blake Gendebien currently leads Republican Anthony Constantino 46-42% in a Siena Research Institute poll for New York's 21st Congressional District. The seat became open after six-term Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik decided not to seek reelection. While Republicans maintain a registration advantage of 215,012 to 133,688 Democrats, Gendebien has maintained a cautious campaign strategy, including skipping a CBS6 forum on October 6.

The race intensified recently when Constantino, the CEO of Sticker Mule, claimed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reopened an investigation into illegal dumping at Gendebien's farm in Lisbon. Constantino cited an audio recording of an alleged agency lieutenant to support the claim.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation denied the allegation, stating there is no open investigation. The agency and state police had previously investigated a September 3 complaint regarding the farm and closed the case after finding no violations. Gendebien dismissed the claims as a lie as the election approaches next Tuesday.