HERKIMER COUNTY, NY — The Herkimer County Democratic Committee is deeply disappointed
by John Brezinski’s decision, as Democratic Minority Leader of the Herkimer County Legislature, to
once again publicly support a Republican congressional candidate for New York’s 21st Congressional
District. His actions do not reflect the position, values, or endorsement of the Herkimer County
Democratic Committee.
The Herkimer County Democratic Committee has proudly endorsed Blake Gendebien for Congress in
NY-21. That endorsement is clear, unequivocal, and unchanged. We believe Blake has the character,
judgment, and commitment to our communities that this district deserves. At a time when Democrats,
Republicans, and independent voters are working together to elect Blake, it is troubling to see Mr.
Brezinski go rogue again.
Given the serious concerns surrounding the Republican congressional candidate’s judgment and the
relationship between his campaign and his business, we are stunned that Mr. Brezinski has chosen to
align himself with him. According to FEC expenditure records, Constantino’s campaign reported
$856,262 in payments to Sticker Mule and Sticker Mule LLC through June 30, 2026. Add to that the
still-unanswered questions surrounding a purported police union endorsement, the hiring of a private
investigator to follow a candidate and campaign staffers, the baseless claims being made daily, and
Sticker Mule’s sale of anti-police stickers, and it is no wonder voters are concerned.
Is this the candidate whom John Brezinski, the Herkimer County Legislature’s Democratic Minority
Leader, has chosen to stand beside? His decision is not an isolated incident. For years, the Herkimer
County Democratic Committee has maintained that there is no meaningful Democratic representation in
the County Legislature, effectively leaving Herkimer County under one-party rule. Mr. Brezinski has not
attended a Herkimer County Democratic Committee meeting, event, or fundraiser in years, including our
annual dinner held last week, nor has he otherwise participated in or supported the committee’s work.
Instead, he regularly attends Republican committee events, fundraisers, and annual dinners, not to
mention his public support for Republican candidates, all while continuing to hold the title of
Democratic Minority Leader.
The issue is not that John Brezinski occasionally disagrees with the Democratic Party or holds personal
political views that differ from that of the committee. The issue is that he continues to hold himself out
as the Democratic leader of the Herkimer County Legislature while repeatedly supporting Republican
candidates, attending Republican political events, and remaining willfully absent from the work of the
very Democratic Committee he is supposed to be part of. At this point, his leadership title and his
conduct have become irreconcilable, and change is needed.
During the last federal election cycle, the committee learned that John had endorsed Elise Stefanik and
was publicly supporting Donald Trump. These concerns were raised directly, and we believed the matter
had been resolved. Out of respect for his years of service, we chose to handle it privately. His continued
support of Republican candidates and fundraising efforts, however, while serving as the highest-ranking
elected Democrat in Herkimer County, has brought that good-faith effort to an end. The committee will
no longer remain silent about conduct it considers incompatible with Democratic leadership.
Democratic leadership requires more than simply maintaining a party registration. It requires supporting
the organization, candidates, and voters one has been entrusted to represent. Mr. Brezinski’s conduct
also raises a straightforward question: Is he remaining a Democrat to retain a leadership title, the
additional compensation associated with that position, or other benefits available only to county
legislators, including cash-in-lieu-of-health-insurance payments? Herkimer County’s citizens, taxpayers,
and Democrats deserve better from someone claiming the mantle of Democratic leadership.
At this point, perhaps it should come as no surprise that John has chosen to align himself with and
support this Republican congressional candidate. Both have demonstrated what the committee views as
a troubling pattern of putting personal interests ahead of public service while attacking those who
challenge or disagree with them. Given the concerns outlined here, his decision raises further questions
about the judgment and priorities of someone who continues to hold a Democratic leadership position.
The people of Herkimer County deserve better from those who seek to represent them, whether in
Washington, D.C., or in county government.
We call on John Brezinski to resign immediately as Democratic Minority Leader of the
Legislature and to register with the political party he has repeatedly chosen to support.
The Herkimer County Democratic Committee has not endorsed John Brezinski for his reelection to the
Herkimer County Legislature. We further call on all Democratic voters in Legislative District 8 to
carefully consider this record, including Mr. Brezinski’s actions and his repeated support for Republican
candidates, when casting their ballots in next month’s general election.
The Herkimer County Democratic Committee will continue working to elect Democrats or common-
sense candidates who will address the real challenges facing our rural communities, improve life in
Herkimer County, and lead with principle and integrity. Sadly, Mr. Brezinski no longer meets that
standard, either as a Democrat or as a Democratic leader.
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About the Herkimer County Democratic Committee
The Herkimer County Democratic Committee works to elect Democratic candidates, encourage civic
participation, strengthen local communities, and advocate for the issues affecting residents throughout
Herkimer County.
For more information, visit HerkimerDemocrats.com or contact the committee at
HerkDems@gmail.com.
