MECO — Robert Smullen is seeking the seat currently held by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Smullen spoke to us about his campaign for the Republican nomination for the NY-21 district.

The candidate said that he is campaigning all across the 15 counties of the county. He’s attending a law enforcement roundtable on Friday, May 8 with Assemblyman Chris Tague, State Senator Oberacker, Sheriff. 

Smullen is from Gloversville and graduated from Gloversville High School. He comes from a family line of stone masons before joining the United States Marine Corps at 21. He attended the Citadel in 1990. He was commissioned in 1991 and served for 24 years as an infantry officer. He served across the world, including military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. He met his wife there and moved to Camp Pendleton in California. During his second deployment in 2001, he was part of the first Marine unit to enter Afghanistan. He was part of a planned mission to attempt to block mountain passes to block Osama bin Laden’s escape.

He had worked as a White House Fellow under President George W. Bush, worked at the Pentagon, and returned to Afghanistan as a combat advisor. He received the Combat Action Ribbon and a Bronze Star. He attended war college as a distinguished graduate before returning to Afghanistan for a third time from 2011-2012. He again worked at the Pentagon and retired as a colonel. Having four children, he retired from the Marine Corps in 2015.

He is a “servant leader” serving in the New York State Assembly for District 118, where he sits next to Chris Tague. Smullen has won twelve of 15 Republican party committees, and all Conservative Party county endorsements held so far. He received the Conservative Party nomination and looks forward to the Republican primary on Tuesday, June 23.

“Send a Marine to Washington to implement President Trump’s agenda,” said Smullen. He was appointed in 2018 by the president as a Commissioner for the President’s Commission for White House Fellows. He assisted in running the program for three and a half years.

He’s served in the State Assembly for eight years after being elected in 2018. He is the Chair of the Republican Conference and the ranking member of the Higher Education Committee. He’s on the Ways and Means committee.

“I know where the money goes,” he said.

Smullen said that he is very concerned about national debt, “spending money at far too high a rate.” He said that he plans to be an “advocate for fiscal responsibility in Washington DC.”

The candidate said that he is currently working hard on the “affordability crisis in the state.” He cites the increase of electricity rates 70% in recent years. He says that the Energy Choice Act currently discussed in Washington would “override” different state decisions, like bar natural gas appliances, shutting down Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, the electric school bus mandate, and what he describes as an “overinvestment in wind and solar.”

He hopes to “unleash American energy.” This includes “allowing New Yorkers to frack for natural gas and build pipelines” to both use the natural gas locally and to export it. Smullen also hopes to expand nuclear energy in the state. He cites small nuclear reactors similar to those used by the United States Navy on aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. Smullen hopes to use these “safe” reactors in New York State.

Smullen also cited his efforts to support veterans. He’s on the Assembly Veterans Committee and hopes to do the same in Washington. This includes plans to assist veterans who suffer from PTSD. One of his goals is to support facilities in the 21st Congressional District, including Fort Drum and the Air Force Research Lab in Rome.

“Very important to the future of our armed forces.”

The candidate said that his campaign is “feeling very strong.” Smullen cited “grassroots support” in the area. He received the Schoharie County Republican Party endorsement. He’s worked with other local leaders through his work at the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District. He’s become familiar with Schoharie County economic issues through his work over the years and has worked with companies to invest in the Mohawk Valley. He said that he is the “only lifelong Republican in this race.”

Smullen cited growing up in Meco. His grandfather was a founding chief of the Meco Volunteer Fire Department, and his father joined in 1953 where he still serves.

“I love where I’m from, I love who I am, I love who I serve,” he said. He hopes to bring local values and ideas to Washington DC, he said.