By Anthony Constantino
As the CEO of Sticker Mule and a candidate for Congress in New York's 21st District, I've spent the last decade proving something that too many politicians and experts have written off as impossible: Manufacturing can thrive in America again. I built Sticker Mule from a small startup in my hometown of Amsterdam, New York, into a global printing powerhouse with over 1,200 employees, the majority right here in the United States. When everyone said it couldn't be done — “factories only belonged in China or Mexico”— I rolled up my sleeves and did it anyway. Today, I'm running for Congress because it's time to take that same fighting spirit to Washington and bring manufacturing back to every corner of this great nation, starting with my birthplace and current homeland of upstate New York.
Let's face it: America has been bleeding manufacturing jobs for decades. We've shipped millions of them overseas, chasing cheap labor and lax regulations, only to wake up dependent on foreign powers for everything from semiconductors to everyday goods. The result? Hollowed-out towns, skyrocketing unemployment, and a national security nightmare. Remember the supply chain chaos during the pandemic? That wasn't a fluke; it was the predictable outcome of policies that prioritized globalism over American workers. As someone who's built a manufacturing company from scratch in the heart of upstate New York, I know firsthand that we can reverse this trend. But it requires bold leadership, not the timid, donor-driven politics we've seen from career bureaucrats.
My journey with Sticker Mule started in 2010, in my lifelong hometown of Amsterdam, New York — a place that, like so many upstate communities, had seen better days. Factories closed, middle-class jobs evaporated, young people left, drug overdoses and suicides took lives, and the bonds of family and community dissolved, leaving the region’s full economic destruction almost inevitable. I had to stop that downward spiral, so I invested in my local brethren. Deep in my soul, I believed in American innovation and American workers, and it paid off.
Today, Sticker Mule operates four factory buildings in New York alone, plus two warehouses, employing hundreds in high-skilled manufacturing roles. We've created thousands of U.S. manufacturing jobs overall, as direct employees or through new positions in our network of domestic suppliers, including specialized, highly paid positions in printing, engineering, and logistics. Almost every single part of our customized, made-to-order product is manufactured on American soil.
Critics love to nitpick — pointing out that some of our t-shirt blanks come from Nicaragua because no viable U.S. alternative exists yet. Fair enough. But here's the reality: Most large manufacturers have global supply chains, and we're actively working to change that. I've brought on top engineers, including the inventor of the digital garment printer, and I’ve committed well into eight-figures of M&A investments to innovate, integrate, and migrate all our production stateside. We're testing U.S.-made alternatives and developing new processes to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. This isn't just talk; it's action. Sticker Mule currently prints those t-shirts in America, adding value, creating jobs, and keeping dollars in our economy. But that’s not good enough for me. I’m working to make our entire supply chain fully American. We've already proven that with the right incentives — tax cuts, regulatory relief, and a focus on domestic innovation — manufacturing doesn't just survive in America; it dominates. And we will continue to do so!
The importance of bringing manufacturing back to the USA can't be overstated. Economically, it's about jobs — good-paying, stable jobs that support families and communities. When I started Sticker Mule, Amsterdam was on the brink. Now, our factories are anchors, providing employment that keeps families rooted here. Nationally, reshoring means reclaiming our independence. We can't afford to let adversaries like China control our supply chains. Think about it: If we're dependent on them for critical goods, how can we stand up to their aggression? Manufacturing at home strengthens our defense, boosts innovation, and revives the middle class. It's the backbone of the American Dream.
When I think specifically of NY-21, I see a district stretching from the Adirondacks to the St. Lawrence River — a beautiful, rugged place full of hardworking people who've been let down by Washington. For too long, politicians have ignored the North Country's needs, letting infrastructure crumble and jobs flee. As CEO of Sticker Mule, I've turned that around in my corner of the district. Our Amsterdam factories employ locals in everything from machine operation to advanced tech roles. We've prevented further economic decline by investing millions in local facilities, training programs, and community initiatives. I recently paid for 100 kids to attend Saint Mary’s Institute, ensuring the next generation has opportunities right here at home.
My success with Sticker Mule isn't a fluke; it's a blueprint. We've grown to serve customers worldwide while keeping our core operations in America. And the ripple effects? Local vendors thrive, tourism picks up as people visit our innovative facilities, and agriculture — another NY-21 staple — benefits from our supply chain integrations. I've seen families stay put instead of moving south or west for work. That's the power of domestic manufacturing: It rebuilds communities from the ground up.
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If elected to Congress, I'll fight to replicate this success nationwide, with a laser focus on upstate New York. First, tax relief: We need to slash corporate taxes on domestic producers and offer incentives for reshoring. I've self-funded my campaign with $5 million of my own money to stay independent from special interests — unlike my opponents, who never endorsed President Trump and play it safe with and are completely beholden to donors. Second, regulatory cuts: Bureaucratic red tape is killing small manufacturers. I'll push to streamline approvals so companies like mine can innovate faster. Third, infrastructure investments: NY-21 needs broadband expansion to support internet-based businesses and modern manufacturing. I'll secure federal funds for high-speed internet and cell service in rural areas, making the North Country competitive again. Fourth, border security: Uncontrolled immigration drives down wages and strains resources. I'll advocate for strong enforcement to protect American jobs.
I've already proven I can deliver. Sticker Mule's growth has created a model for reshoring: Invest in people, embrace technology, and ignore the naysayers. When I announced my run before a crowd of 5,000 ardent supporters, I unveiled a "Turkey Wall" of 2,000 frozen birds to give away — symbolizing abundance and community spirit. I even surprised my employees with $1,000 Christmas bonuses. This isn't politics as usual; it's real results.
Opponents like Robert Smullen, who never backed Trump, or Democrats who peddle failed policies, offer nothing new. They've watched manufacturing flee while collecting checks. I built a 1,200-person company against the odds, creating jobs where others saw despair. Now, imagine that scaled up: factories reopening in Plattsburgh, Glens Falls, and beyond. Upstate New York could lead the manufacturing renaissance, attracting talent back and making our district exciting again.
Bringing manufacturing home isn't just an economic imperative; it's a patriotic duty. We've let globalists erode our strength for too long. As your Congressman, I'll fight every day to restore it. Join me in this mission. Support candidates who build, not bureaucrats who talk. Together, we'll make America manufacture again — and make NY-21 the envy of the nation.
Anthony Constantino, the current frontrunning congressional candidate for NY-21, is the CEO of Sticker Mule, a 1,200-person manufacturing and technology company in Amsterdam, NY. Anthony defied New York Democrats by installing the giant “Vote for Trump” sign atop his tallest factory building one year ago, prompting praise from President Trump and Trump supporters nationwide.
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