One year ago, I flipped a switch in Amsterdam, New York, and three words lit up the night sky: Vote For Trump. The Democrat Party hated me for it, but to thousands who came to see it, the sign was proof that free speech was still important in America. In a state where it was dangerous to be a Trump supporter, those 100 glowing feet declared: President Trump’s supporters no longer fear the mob.
The battles that followed were dismaying. Local Democrats tried to arrest me and then tried to fine me. Thanks to my great lawyers, they lost both times. An angry viral mob attacked my company, Sticker Mule. But the sign still stands, and so does the principle behind it: that all Americans must have free speech.
The fight over my Vote for Trump sign is indicative of the problems with our state. Far too many politicians in New York protect their party rather than help people. This behavior earned us the label of “most corrupt state in the union.”
However, ever since I lit my sign, a groundswell of everyday Americans and New Yorkers showered me with support. On Facebook alone, I grew to 250,000 followers with many influential Americans reaching out with encouragement. Every day, countless citizens write asking my thoughts, or for help, or simply for a shirt with my name on it.
I’ll admit. I had no idea how dirty politics is in New York. I thought it was bad, but it’s worse than I expected. I’ve since experienced dirty politicians do everything from threatening to “kill” and “destroy” me to shutting down food pantries and attacking my friends' businesses, all for politics.
Luckily, I’ve been able to fight back. And, I have to admit, I enjoy watching corrupt politicians underestimate my ability to beat them.
As I reflect on the issues facing New York, I am inspired to hear that Elise Stefanik may run for Governor to Save NY. Our state needs saving, and the only way to do so is to turn New York RED. Congresswoman Stefanik can make that happen, and I will, once again, run to succeed her if she runs to become our next Governor.
I ran in the Special Election as a businessman, not a politician, because Congress is an important job and it needs to go to the best possible person. I was encouraged to see that my early political instincts were right, as I won every poll in the NY-21 Special Election, including one conducted by the President’s own pollster that had me leading by 12 points amongst Conservative voters and also had me as the only MAGA candidate who was beating Democrat Blake Gendebien. Admittedly, I’ve since been more focused on MNYGA than MAGA.
President Trump understandably called off that election after the Establishment endorsed three candidates that were losing to me by double digits and also were losing to the Democrat in a poll conducted by Tony Fabrizio. I respected both the President's decision and Congresswoman Stefanik’s grace in handling the debacle.
Nonetheless, New York’s 21st District has serious problems that must still be addressed. In business, all I do is solve problems. It’s how I built a 1,200-person American manufacturing company when everyone said manufacturing couldn’t be done in America.
Our problems and opportunities in New York’s 21st District are clear:
Unsecured borders strain local resources and fuel a deadly surge in fentanyl. Our borders must be kept closed forever.
Internet and cell service must be reliable and faster. I built an incredible company using the Internet and my cell phone. In 2025, it’s inexcusable that cell phones don’t work and Internet service is still lacking in much of our district.
Farmers must be treated fairly, and the solar lottery, where one farmer gets taxpayer money to install Chinese solar panels while others suffer, must be stopped. Research shows that only 1 percent of farmland can safely be removed without causing food shortages. I will fight to help farmers while stopping Democrats from destroying our farmland.
Fort Drum must be finished. I told the nation that a vote for President Trump was a vote for peace by creating the viral "Trump for Peace" slogan. Now I will help maintain peace through strength by finishing the Fort Drum missile defense system.
People must come live here again. The Democrat Party scared 2 million people out of New York. This exodus hurt all citizens from both parties. I will make New York exciting again and fight to turn it RED, which will bring people back in a big way.
We need more new blood in New York politics. President Trump inspired me to make a difference, and I want to inspire others. Our political class in New York is too complacent and too concerned with protecting what little cheese they have. It needs to be shaken up by bringing new talent into the fold.
I know what it takes to overcome adversity. I saved my family’s company from bankruptcy when I was only a kid and then built Sticker Mule to create countless jobs in Amsterdam, NY, instead of leaving for greener pastures. I also became a professional boxer at 40 years old and scored 4 straight knockouts - not an easy thing to do and an experience that I’ve found serves me well in politics, where you have to fight, fight, fight.
Every time someone tells me something can’t be done, I always prove them wrong.
They said I couldn’t build an incredible tech company in a small town, but today, Sticker Mule employs 100 engineers who are building an innovative suite of business tools to help others thrive on the Internet as Sticker Mule did. In the last few months, we released an automated e-commerce platform, a giveaway platform, and soon we’ll release a host of other tools to help people make money online. Proudly, we have already helped people make over $250,000.
As New York’s 21st District representative in Congress, I will bring my ability to innovate and help people to politics. New York politics desperately needs innovation to get people excited and hopeful again. I am confident I will far exceed expectations if elected.
Much like me, our citizens are tired of the political class focusing on helping themselves first and foremost. I already have plenty of money, so I cannot be compromised by special interests and don’t need to profit off politics. All I want to do is outperform the political class that annoys me as much as they annoy you.
That is why, as the anniversary of the Vote for Trump sign’s first glow approaches, I’m passionately re-declaring my commitment to fight to Make New York Great Again in whatever way makes the most sense. If Elise Stefanik runs for Governor, I’ll fight to help her win, and I’ll also run to succeed her so I can fight from Congress for us.
Politics is brutal. Maybe not as brutal as boxing, but it is a lot dirtier. It’s not for most people, but I enjoy it because I see tremendous potential to make our lives better. I had no idea I’d be in politics when I lit up my sign. But it happened. And, for whatever reason, many consider me to be good at it.
So today, on the Anniversary of my signing, I write to remember that historic day and to renew my promise to fight, fight, fight for all you just like President Trump does from the White House. And, much like the President, I will never let you down.
Anthony Constantino, a potential candidate for NY-21, is the CEO of Sticker Mule, a 1,200-person high-tech printing and e-commerce platform based in Amsterdam, NY. Anthony defied New York Democrats by installing the giant “Vote for Trump” sign atop his tallest factory building one year ago, prompting praise from President Trump and Trump supporters nationwide.