NY · Candidate
Blake Gendebien
DLower Costs NowCandidate
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. House · New York's 21st District
Biography
Blake Gendebien is a second-generation dairy farmer and small business owner from the North Country and the Democratic nominee for the open 21st District seat. He has not previously held federal office; his local roles include service on a school board and on an agricultural cooperative board. He won the June 2026 primary over Stuart Amoriell, and his campaign focuses on affordability, healthcare access and government reform.[1][2][3][4]
According to his campaign website, Gendebien was born and raised on a farm in the North Country and is a second-generation dairy farmer. The Daily Gazette describes him as an Ogdensburg farmer. He earned a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1999.[3][2][5]
Gendebien works as a farmer and small business owner and has served as Vice Chair of the Cooperative Board of Agri-Mark. He has also served as a member of the Lisbon Central School Board.[2][3] He describes himself as a JV basketball coach and as the founder of a nonprofit supporting children with pediatric cancer and their families, and as a husband and father of three boys.[2][3]
Gendebien defeated Stuart Amoriell, a Lake Placid restaurant owner, in the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary for the open seat, 64.5% to 35.0%. He will face Republican Anthony Constantino for the seat that Rep. Elise Stefanik is leaving.[4][5]
- 1.United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Blake Gendebien · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-02-08 Candidate's own words
- 3.Meet Blake · Blake Gendebien for Congress Candidate's own words
- 4.New York's 21st Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 5.Constantino earns win over Smullen in NY-21, will face Gendebien · The Daily Gazette · 2026-06-23 News report
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.