BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

LISBON -- Democratic NY-21 candidate Blake Gendebien has conceded the race against Republican Anthony Constantino three days after Election Day. 

Though Constantino claimed victory Tuesday night, Gendebien did not concede at the time, acknowledging it remained a long-shot with absentee ballots pending. 

In a statement released to the media today, Gendebien thanked supporters for their efforts for nearly two years. 

“This isn’t the outcome we worked for, but I’m proud of the campaign we ran and the coalition we built,” said Gendebien. “There are still votes left to count, but the math is clear, and I respect the choice voters made. Two years ago, plenty of people said a Democrat couldn’t compete here. Together, we moved every county in this district by double digits. To the more than 85,000 people who chipped in, and to the union members, nurses, teachers, and farmers who gave up their evenings and weekends to knock doors, thank you. What we built doesn’t disappear with this result. It’s the foundation for whatever comes next. As I said on Election Night, I hope Anthony Constantino will put the North Country first in Congress. It has been the honor of my life to be your candidate.”

Gendebien cited the district's strong Republican voting history, noting that Donald Trump had carried it by 21 percentage points and the previous Republican candidate by 24 points.

Despite the challenges, Gendebien said the campaign raised $9 million from nearly 90,000 donors, largely through small-dollar contributions, while competing against a self-funding millionaire.

“We are closer than any other Democrat has been in a decade,” he said.

With Gendebien conceding the race, Constantino will now replace outgoing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who opted to not seek reelection late last year. 

Constantino was particularly strong in Lewis, Herkimer, Fulton and Oneida counties, while Gendebien had a strong lead in Clinton, Essex and Warren counties. In St. Lawrence County, Gendebien received 18,435 votes, compared to 16,215 for Constantino.

The victory reinforces Republican control in a district where the party holds a substantial voter-registration advantage and where President Donald Trump carried the district in 2024.

The race between Constantino and Gendebien became one of the most closely watched congressional contests in New York, with national party organizations pouring resources into the district.