To the Editor:

I would like to applaud Blake Gendebien for the remarkable and most commendable campaign he ran for the NY District 21 House seat vacated by Elise Stefanik.  

His campaign was marked by an intelligent and compassionate discussion of the very real issues and concerns of district residents, particularly those of us in Northern New York; concerns over health care, the possible closing of our local hospitals, the high costs of food and gas, the needless war in Iran, Trump tariffs levied on Canada that hurt farmers and damaged our relationship with our good neighbor to the north, the state of Democracy due to Trump policies, and the need for government reform. Throughout his run, Mr. Gendebien was honest and straightforward about what he wanted to do if elected but never maligned his opponent; he simply stated the facts and discussed the issues.

His opponent, Anthony Constantino, on the other hand, ran a campaign marked by crude comments about Mr. Gendebien, untrue accusations, and attack ads, rather than a serious discussion of the issues. It’s difficult to attack a man like Blake Gendebien; a local hard-working farmer, a former member of his school board, a dedicated family man, involved in community activities with his wife and sons; but Mr. Constantino did it zealously. His speeches were laced with expletives and name calling that made Constantino himself look small and childish. 

Like his mentor D. Trump, he pushed for repeal of gun control legislation, continuation of the present administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration and ICE policies, and pretty much complete support of all of Trump’s agenda. And yet, In a district that has historically gone for the Republican House candidate by huge margins, this was an extremely close race.  And, as I write this, the race has not yet been decided. However, instead of waiting for the final result, Constantino declared himself the winner on election night. And, at his victory speech (??) in Amsterdam, in true Trumpian style, he gave a rambling, disjointed, confusing rant where he raved about “the evil press,” pointed them out and repeatedly called them “a**holes,” warned everyone who didn’t vote for him that they had made “a big mistake,” continued to throw out profanities directed at the press and those who chose not to support him, tossed out a TV News Channel 7 reporter and cameraman, and ended his mostly unintelligible rant by expressing his opinion that Trump should free Diddy? 

Blake Gendebien, on the other hand, while not yet conceding the race until all the votes were in, wished his opponent well in Congress if he were to be elected. A true gentleman.

It’s obvious that there is most definitely a vast difference in the personalities, campaigning style, and professionalism of the two candidates for the NY 21 House seat, and I am personally sad that this district made the decision it did. When the rest of the country chose to elect Democratic House Representatives, Senators, and Governors because they wanted a complete change from the present administration’s agenda, NY 21 narrowly elected Anthony Constantino.

Although I do not personally know Blake Gendebien, I knew from the beginning of his campaign exactly where he stood on the issues and I felt that he would represent the interests of North Country residents very well; I still do.

Kudos to Blake Gendebien for an exemplary campaign; one to be proud of.

Rosella Todd Valentine
Canton