Democratic chairs choose candidate for NY-21

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The 15 Democratic County Chairs of New York's 21st congressional district have chosen their candidate: Blake Gendebien. This comes as Elise Stefanik, who currently holds the seat, is expected to be confirmed to President Donald Trump’s cabinet as United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

Once Stefanik is officially confirmed, a special election will be set to fill the vacancy. The Republican County Chairs of NY-21 have not yet chosen their candidate.

“I’m honored and deeply grateful to each of the 15 Democratic chairs. They have run a thoughtful process that has brought out the best in each of us at a particularly challenging time. No one was expecting a special election, but they stepped up,” said Gendebien. “This is just the beginning. I’m not going to stop working until we win and can make life in the North Country a whole lot better and a whole lot more affordable."

Gendebien is a longtime North Country resident. He is the owner and president of Twin Mill Farms in Lisbon and the Vice Chairman of Agri-Mark Dairy Cooperative, covering New York and New England.

"As a husband, father, farmer, small business owner and former school board member, Blake will fight to lower costs and secure our borders," said the Democratic chairs in a statement. "An outsider to the political arena, Blake Gendebien embodies the voice and grit that distinguishes this district."

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox responded to the news of Gendebien being chosen by saying, "Democrats didn’t do their homework when they selected Blake Gendebien and his catastrophic statements. Republicans will easily hold this seat in the upcoming special election, because the North Country is unquestionably Trump Country."

New York’s 21st congressional district includes Warren, Washington, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Schoharie, Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Hamilton, and Essex Counties, and parts of Jefferson, Rensselaer, and Otsego Counties.