As the United States Senate moves forward with the nomination of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik as United Nations ambassador, North Country Democrats are preparing for the special election to fill the seat whenever a special election is called by selecting St. Lawrence County dairy farmer Blake Gendebien as their candidate.

In a special election for New York's 21st Congressional District, there is no primary for voters to pick their party’s nominee – the nominee is selected by the chairs of the county parties in the district. Gendebien is a third-generation dairy farmer from Lisbon, and operates Twin Mill Farms. He is married and has three children. He has degree in agriculture from Penn State University.

Gendebien faces an uphill battle in the “ruby red” congressional district where 41% of registered voters are Republican and Stefanik cruised to reelection in 2024 by 24 percentage points. The strong numbers for Republicans have led to a crowded pool of candidates for the North Country seat.

Some of the Republicans seeking the seat are Anthony Constantino, the CEO of StickerMule, Joe Pinion, the 2022 U.S. Senate nominee, and state Sen. Dan Stec.

Under current law, Gov. Kathy Hochul must declare a date for a special election up to 10 days after being notified of a vacancy, which must take place within 80 days. Stefanik has yet to resign. Reports emerged late last week that Democrats were considering changing the state’s special election laws to give Hochul more time to call a special election, effectively delaying the special and causing a razor-thin GOP House majority to stay slightly smaller for months. As of Monday, top Albany Democrats said that proposal was “on pause.”