Assemblyman Robert Smullen, R-Meco, is running for Congress in New York’s 21st Congressional District.

In an interview Thursday morning, Smullen, 57, said he’s ready to represent the North Country at a higher level.

“I’m running for Congress to put upstate first, and to fight for the people of New York’s 21st Congressional District,” he said.

Smullen is now the first official GOP candidate seeking the nomination for NY-21; other potential candidates have either declined to run entirely, or backed out after starting the ‘listening process’ that many undergo before declaring a formal campaign.

Smullen has been openly mulling a run for office since July, when he told the Watertown Daily Times that he was considering a run as it appeared more and more likely that incumbent Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, was going to run for governor of New York. A candidate cannot legally seek both a congressional seat and the governor’s office in New York.

Smullen, a conservative Republican who has served in the Assembly since 2019, said he appreciates Stefanik’s history of conservative advocacy for the district, and said he would continue that approach.

“Elise Stefanik has been an outstanding representative for our region, she’ll be a strong governor for New York, and she is what this state needs,” he said on Thursday. “My goal is to step up and continue that record of leadership.”

Smullen said his platform is foundationally conservative and Republican, and he’s been meeting with both GOP and Conservative Party officials across the district since he started mulling a run for the seat.

“I’ve been going around to meetings all across the district, from county committee leaders to county legislatures and boards of supervisors, and I have gotten nothing but universally good responses to that, and great encouragement to run from all across the district,” Smullen said.

He said his first focus if elected would be on affordability — tackling the high cost of living.

“One of the key issues is clearly lowering costs, because it’s really hurting people,” he said. “People are being crushed by inflation, and the reckless government spending we’ve been seeing.”

Smullen said he would focus on cutting wasteful spending, reducing tax burdens and find avenues to improve affordability in upstate specifically.

Smullen enters the race with two Democratic opponents but no declared competition for the Republican nomination yet, although Amsterdam-area businessman Anthony Constantino has openly mulled a campaign for the seat and has an announcement event scheduled for Monday. It’s not entirely clear what he plans to announce Monday.

Facing those opponents, Smullen said he stands out as the only candidate with a tie to President Donald Trump. In Trump’s first term, Smullen was appointed to the President’s Commission on White House Fellows, which oversees the White House fellows who work as interns for a year for the President. Smullen himself was a White House Fellow for President George W. Bush.

“I’m the only Trump-appointed conservative in this race,” he said. “President Trump appointed me to the President’s Commission on White House Fellows because he trusted my leadership and my commitment to America First.”

Smullen said he aligns with Trump on his border, economic and social policies as well.

In D.C., Smullen said he would stand alongside Trump on the issues and align with the existing House leadership. He said his resume, which includes military service and work in other areas of government, demonstrate that he is capable and ready to make his agenda a reality if elected.

“I spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, retired as a colonel after three combat deployments,” he said. “I’ve worked in the White House, I’ve served under President George W. Bush, and I’ve always answered the call to serve. This mission is no different.”