ALBANY — Republicans in the state opposed to Anthony Constantino’s campaign to be their party’s nominee to succeed U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik are growing more vocal in what they contend is a pattern of behavior not befitting of the position.
Constantino, the CEO of Sticker Mule, is running against state Assemblyman Robert Smullen for the New York’s 21st Congressional District. Smullen has the endorsement of the New York Republican Party, but Constantino has the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump, which may be crucial in a primary season where Trump-backed candidates have dominated across the country.
Both candidates have traded insults over the course of their campaign, with Constantino referring to his opponent as “Slimebob” and Smullen calling Constantino “mentally unfit.” Those tensions came to a head following a debate between the two men last week where Smullen refused to shake Constantino’s hand after the event concluded…