Discovery Insights Elections Candidates Calendar Watchlist

Republican

Robert Smullen

Republican candidate for U.S. House in New York

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Republican

Robert Smullen

Republican candidate for U.S. House in New York

Website

NY-21 Republican nominee?

$31.5K

JUN 27, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Live Odds — NY-21 Republican nominee?

Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.

1%chance to win

$31.5K

JUN 27, 2026

Candidate Overview

Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.

Current roleState Representative

PartyRepublican

Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican

Age58 years old (Jul 29, 1968)

GenderMale

LocationNew York

BackgroundPolitician

EducationThe Citadel (BA)

Notable personal detailsRobert J. Smullen is a Republican politician and retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel. He has represented New York State Assembly District 118 since January 9, 2019. He ran for U.S. House in New York's 21st Congressional District in the 2026 cycle and previously served as a White House Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy (2003–2004).

SourcesShow

fec.gov robertsmullenforcongress.com en.wikipedia.org wikidata.org wxxinews.org results.elections.ny.gov northcountrypublicradio.org spectrumlocalnews.com wamc.org thecandidate.com cnhi.com docquery.fec.gov apnews.com wwnytv.com smarter.vote ivoterguide.com linkedin.com adirondackdailyenterprise.com zeta.creativecirclecdn.com assembly.state.ny.us nyassembly.gov wrvo.org nysenate.gov timesunion.com assembly.ny.gov wnyt.com cpnys.org cbs6albany.com facebook.com nny360.com nygop.org instagram.com google.com politico.com newsday.com lohud.com justfacts.votesmart.org history.house.gov votesmart.org

Political Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports reducing tax burdens and cutting wasteful government spending while opposing state budget measures he views as fiscally irresponsible. Emphasizes pro-growth, conservative economic policies including support for lower taxes for working people and fiscal restraint at the state level.

Healthcare

Supports expanding access to healthcare in rural communities, improving affordability, expanding telemedicine, incentivizing healthcare workers to serve rural areas, and improving veterans’ access and mental health services.

Immigration & Border

Supports legal immigration while opposing measures that extend state benefits to undocumented immigrants; has publicly criticized bills allowing undocumented people to obtain driver’s licenses and said immigration should proceed through legal channels. Emphasizes enforcement measures to prevent undocumented entry or benefits rather than broad regularization or pathways to citizenship.

Climate & Energy

Robert Smullen supports protecting traditional rural energy practices and opposes rapid, top-down renewable mandates that he says would harm affordability and local control. He has introduced legislation to preserve wood burning for heat, led GOP efforts questioning the costs of New York’s renewable and zero‑emission mandates, and criticized state renewable siting rules that remove local input.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports protecting Second Amendment rights and lawful gun ownership while opposing recent New York restrictions on concealed carry; emphasizes hunting traditions and law enforcement/public safety priorities. Advocates tougher criminal justice measures to address crime while criticizing state gun laws as burdensome to law-abiding citizens.

Latest News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJul 15, 2026

Robert Smullen lost the Republican primary for New York’s 21st Congressional District to Anthony Constantino. Constantino will now be the GOP nominee in the race to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik. Smullen had the backing of local GOP officials and the state Conservative Party, and he had secured the Conservative Party nomination, which could still affect the general election ballot.

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Articles

FFortune2 months ago