VT LG candidate makes big ad buy/ VT journo says Bernie-backed Platner could win

By Guy Page

What a difference a lake makes.

In Vermont, on Lake Champlain’s eastern shore, any alignment with President Donald Trump is considered a kiss of death for any candidates, barring perhaps those running in a small handful of ‘red’ districts on the electoral map. 

But across Lake Champlain in upstate New York, President Donald Trump’s picked candidate for the 21st Congressional District, which includes Plattsburgh, won the primary Tuesday after touting Trump’s endorsement. His campaign website shows him shaking hands with the MAGA-cap hatted president.

Yesterday, a day after the election, Anthony Constantino emulated Trump with a fiery Facebook post criticizing much of the local news media for its campaign coverage:

“The biggest loser of the NY-21 race is WWNY7 who twice deleted my interviews, published a fake transcript filled with fake quotes I never said, and refused to come to my historic victory party. If they think I am going to forget this or let the citizens forget, they are stupid. The second biggest loser is the Watertown Daily Times who got caught publishing totally fake stories. CBS6 should have been a big winner because they hosted a great debate but they fumbled the moment when they deleted the no hand shake which was caught by a citizen journalist. The New York Times, surprisingly, has always covered me very fairly and even positively which is good to see and makes this a win for them too. The biggest winners are our citizens who will soon find out it is in my nature to treat everyone well and the MAGA movement which just became much stronger. I am MAGA because President Trump’s way of thinking makes the world a better place. The Democrat’s way of thinking makes the world a worse place. This is something I will discuss in the coming months. Thank you.”

Constantino defeated retired Marine Corps Colonel and New York Assemblyman Robert Smullen. Both candidates embraced the MAGA movement, but Trump’s endorsement appears to have carried significant weight in a race that drew national attention.

The seat is currently held by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who announced she will not seek another term. Stefanik quickly congratulated Constantino after the race was called, saying voters had spoken “loudly and clearly.” The district has been a Republican stronghold for years, but Democrats see Stefanik’s departure as an opportunity to compete. With Republicans holding only a narrow majority in the U.S. House, this race could attract considerable national attention heading into November.

Vermont Democrat LG candidate makes big ad buy – Meanwhile, here in Vermont, Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Ryan McLaren has launched the first broadcast television advertising campaign of the election season. His six-figure ad buy talks up a life story centered on public service and perseverance.

McLaren, a senior advisor to Senator Peter Welch and a longtime public servant, recounts his recovery from a life-changing spinal cord injury in 2017. The message focuses on affordability, housing, health care, and the challenges facing working families. The campaign is also highlighting endorsements from labor organizations and public safety groups as it works to build momentum ahead of the Democratic primary.

McLaren is running against former LG Molly Gray and former gubernatorial candidate Esther Charlestin. Republican incumbent John Rodgers is running unopposed. 

Betting markets favor Platner in Maine, Burlington journo says – And one more political storyline worth watching comes from neighboring Maine. Some political observers are beginning to take a closer look at challenger Graham Platner’s race against longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. While many analysts remain cautious, Burlington native Ted Cohen of the Maine Wire says betting markets are giving Platner surprisingly favorable odds. Whether that translates into actual votes remains to be seen, but it’s a reminder that political landscapes can shift quickly, especially in a year when voters seem eager to challenge conventional expectations.

Cohen told VDC this week that early support from VT Sen. Bernie Sanders helped Platner sell himself as other than just a flash in the pan.

“Platner has struck a chord with a key demographic, older women who are absolutely in love with the guy,” according to Cohen.

Collins, the five-term GOP incumbent, has always over-performed polls showing her trailing her Democrat opponents.

“But the key for me is the betting markets – a more accurate barometer than political polls – are giving Platner a huge edge,” Cohen says. Polymarket shows a 75 percent chance Platner will beat Collins, he said.