NY GOP Candidate Accuses Rival of Illegal Dumping as Democrats Target Stefanik's Seat

Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino has accused his Democratic opponent, Blake Gendebien, of illegally dumping dead cattle and debris near a watershed in upstate New York. The allegations come as national Democrats have signaled increased attention to the North Country district, which is held by Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Constantino held a press conference Monday, presenting aerial photos taken by private investigators that he claims show tires and other debris on Gendebien's farm in Ogdensburg. "Mr. Gendebien is regularly dumping garbage into a local waterway. This is a violation of multiple state and federal laws," Constantino stated. He further alleged that a former employee of Gendebien's dairy farm provided a sworn statement claiming to have been instructed to dispose of dead cows by hauling them into a creek, estimating that "twenty to thirty deceased cattle were disposed of there during my employment."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) recently added the district to its "Red to Blue" list, a designation for potentially winnable races. This move suggests potential financial investment from national Democrats. The Cook Political Report has reclassified the race from "Solid Republican" to "Likely Republican."

Gendebien's campaign denied the allegations, stating that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had previously investigated the site after a complaint and found no violation. A DEC spokesperson confirmed that officers visited the farm on September 3 and did not find a violation. Gendebien's campaign characterized Constantino's actions as "weirdo drone stalking my home and business because he doesn’t know how farming works."

Constantino's investigators filed a report with state police last week regarding the alleged dumping. A state police spokesperson confirmed that the matter is under investigation.

Gendebien initially declared his candidacy for Stefanik's seat in early 2025. Constantino dismissed the DCCC's interest in the race, suggesting it is a tactic to boost fundraising. He pointed to online betting markets, claiming they indicate he is leading the race.