Former U.S. Senate candidate Joe Pinion is considering running for New York’s 21st Congressional District occupied by Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik as she makes a bid for governor in 2026.
In a statement Wednesday, Pinion said the state Republican Party must be reinvigorated in order to compete in races next year.
“Rep. Elise Stefanik has been a stalwart in Congress for over a decade, and as she begins her run for Governor, her successor must be a standard-bearer prepared to meet the moment,” Pinion said in a statement. “As the New Year approaches, I find myself newly married to the love of my life and deeply concerned about the state of our party in New York. Over the coming week, our family will pray and reflect on how we can best serve our community as we determine whether to move forward with a potential run for NY-21.”
Pinion was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022, challenging Sen. Chuck Schumer. Pinion lost to Schumer by 14 points, but he carried 46 of 62 counties in the state and gave Schumer his narrowest margin of victory since his first election in 1998.
“We have been on the ballot in all 15 counties of NY-21. We have won in all 15 counties. And it would be a grave mistake to assume that any Republican with a pulse will automatically hold this seat — not with a fragile House majority on the line,” Pinion said. “We will make our decision and ultimately the people of the 21st Congressional District will make their choice.”
Pinion is a former Newsmax host and, after his Senate loss, has been a media surrogate for the New York GOP.
Republicans also considering running for the seat are state Assemblyman Chris Tague, state Assemblyman Robert Smullen, St. Lawrence County businessman Josh Parker and Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino. Two Democrats have announced their candidacies — St. Lawrence County dairy farmer Blake Gendebien and former Joe Biden White House trade official Dylan Hewitt — while Bridie Farrell, a former speedskater who ran for the seat in 2022, is considering a run.
The 21st Congressional District is made up of most of the North Country and parts of the greater Capital Region.
