An Antifa supporter has been arrested for allegedly stealing campaign signs from Republican candidate Anthony Constantino in New York’s 21st Congressional District race.
A New York man has been arrested after allegedly being caught on video stealing campaign signs belonging to Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino. The suspect, Josef Marris, was reportedly driving his employer’s vehicle at the time of the thefts.
Marris faces two counts of criminal possession of stolen property, according to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Following the incident, he was terminated from his position at East Branch Organics, as confirmed by Constantino’s campaign.
Constantino, who is vying for a seat in New York’s 21st Congressional District, expressed concerns that the alleged thefts were intended to intimidate his supporters. “My campaign has lost more than $100,000 to sign theft and vandalism,” he told Fox News Digital. “There are now multiple attempts to intimidate my supporters by people who are clearly pro-crime and pro-violence. The media needs to stop pretending this is a both-sides problem.”
In addition to the theft allegations, Constantino’s campaign suggested that Marris acted on behalf of Democratic candidate Blake Gendebien. However, Gendebien’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
Constantino also took to social media to criticize Gendebien, claiming that the Democrat “is surrounded by FAR LEFT EXTREMISTS.” This remark highlights the charged political atmosphere surrounding the race.
Marris has publicly identified as a communist and an Antifa supporter, as evidenced by social media posts reviewed by Fox News Digital. In April 2023, he shared an image of the three-arrow symbol, which is often associated with various socialist and anti-fascist movements. However, it is important to note that this symbol alone does not confirm Marris’s membership in Antifa or establish any direct connection between his actions and Gendebien’s campaign.
The incident occurs in the context of a competitive race to succeed retiring Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., in the 21st Congressional District. Recent assessments from local media, including North Country Public Radio, have shifted the district’s classification from “solid” Republican to “likely” Republican, indicating a more competitive political landscape.
As the race progresses, the implications of such incidents on voter sentiment and campaign dynamics remain to be seen. The allegations of intimidation and theft underscore the heightened tensions in this election cycle, as both parties seek to galvanize their bases and secure victory in a pivotal congressional seat.
According to Fox News Digital, the unfolding events in this race reflect broader national trends of political polarization and the contentious nature of contemporary electoral politics.