BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

St. Lawrence County voters will head to the polls June 23 for the 2026 primary election, with races for Congress leading a ballot that also includes county and town contests, according to updated election information released April 30.

Congressional

In the 21st Congressional District Democratic primary, St. Lawrence County farmer Blake Gendebien faces Lake Placid restaurant owner Stuart Amoriell. 

Gendebien has positioned himself as a more establishment-backed candidate with support from multiple Democratic county committees and significant fundraising totals built largely through individual donations. 

Amoriell, who owns The Pickled Pig restaurant in Lake Placid, has campaigned as an “independent Democrat,” emphasizing a more outsider approach and arguing for increased political independence from party leadership.

On the Republican side, Assemblyman Robert J. Smullen faces Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino. Smullen, a retired Marine Corps colonel, has been endorsed by the state Republican Party and most county GOP committees in the district. He has also emphasized his military background and legislative experience in the state Assembly. 

Constantino, a political newcomer and business owner based in Amsterdam, has aligned himself closely with former President Donald Trump and has self-funded much of his campaign, while running as a more populist, outsider-style candidate.

SLC District 5

At the county level, Republican voters in Legislative District 5,  covering Gouverneur and DePeyster,  will choose between Troy Besaw and incumbent Harry Smithers.

In town races, Clare voters will decide between Crystal Briggs and Jessica Hance for town clerk.  For County Committee (vote for two), candidates include Kevin Beary, Crystal Briggs and Robert Briggs.

Fowler

In Fowler, voters will select a superintendent of highways for a one-year unexpired term. Candidates are Jacob Matthew Cunningham, Ryan S. Gollinger and Paul Brent Johnson Jr. In 

Rossie

Rossie, Kimberly A. Hutton and Ray Roberts are running for a two-year unexpired term as councilmember.

Comptroller

In statewide Democratic voting, incumbent state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli faces challenges from Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle.

Voting information

Election Day is Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. St. Lawrence County voters can find their polling place online at https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/#.

Early voting will be available at two locations: the Potsdam Central School Annex at 68 Lawrence Ave. in Potsdam and the Ogdensburg Dobisky Center at 100 Riverside Ave. in Ogdensburg.

Early voting runs June 13 through June 21 with hours generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 15 and June 17.

Polling locations are accessible to voters with physical disabilities.

Officials note that voters who cast a ballot during early voting will not be permitted to vote again on Election Day. Voters who requested an absentee or early mail ballot also will not be allowed to vote on the machine on Election Day.

The primary election will determine party nominees ahead of the November general election.