Vice President JD Vance could swoop into upstate New York on the eve of the Nov. 3 election to help keep retiring Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat in Republican hands, sources said Tuesday.
Vance would stump with GOP candidate Anthony Constantino in Ogdensburg on Monday, Nov. 2, according to three Republican insiders briefed on the preliminary plans.
Constantino, who owns a firm that makes stickers and decals, is facing a surprisingly competitive challenge from Democrat farmer Blake Gendebien in the 21st House District in North Country.
The sprawling district crosses 15 counties, borders Vermont and Canada and includes Adirondack Park.
It is one of the reddest districts in the state with more registered Republicans than Democrats.
President Trump carried it by 24 points over Democrat Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election.
But some independent polls show a tight race, with Gendebien even ahead by a few points.
Gendebien’s campaign called the Vance trip a sign of desperation.
“Anthony Constantino couldn’t find the North Country for a month, so the White House is sending the Vice President to find it for him,” said Michael Waller, Gendebien’s campaign manager, in a press statement.
“You don’t fly the Vice President into a plus-24 seat the day before the election unless you know you’re losing it. If the administration wants to see what its trade war did, Ogdensburg is the right stop. The bridge is right there. Ask anyone who works on it.”
The Ogdensburg Bridge spans the St. Lawrence River connecting New York with Canada.
The Constantino campaign had no immediate comment.
