Democrats announce candidate for House seat after Stefanik is confirmed

Democrats announce candidate for House seat after Stefanik is confirmed

Democrats have selected a candidate to run for the seat soon-to-be-vacated by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Stefanik is set to be confirmed by the full Senate to be the next UN ambassador.

Democrats have selected a candidate to run for the seat soon-to-be-vacated by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

Stefanik is set to be confirmed by the full Senate to be the next UN ambassador.

The chairs of the Democratic committees that make up the 15 counties in the district announced on Tuesday that they will nominate Blake Gendebien if and when a special election is held.

Gendebien is the owner and president of Twin Mills Farm in Lisbon, New York. He also is vice chairman of Agri-Mark Dairy Cooperative covering New York and New England, according to a news release announcing the decision.

“As a husband, father, farmer, small business owner and former school board member, Blake will fight to lower costs and secure our borders. An outsider to the political arena, Blake Gendebien embodies the voice and grit that distinguishes this district,” the statement said.

Among the Republican candidates that have expressed interest in the seat are state Sen. Dan Stec of Queensbury, Assemblyman Robert Smullen from Johnsbury, Assemblyman Chris Tague from Schoharie County, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino and Joe Pinion, who ran against U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.

The sprawling district covers all of Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Hamilton, Essex, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Schoharie, and parts of Jefferson, Rensselaer, and Otsego Counties.