Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino, endorsed by Trump, has committed to donating $174,000 — equivalent to one year’s congressional salary — to the family of Sgt. Eddie Ryan, a wounded Iraq War veteran. This pledge stands regardless of the outcome of his election in New York’s 21st Congressional District.
Constantino, who is the CEO of Sticker Mule, made the unexpected pledge on June 10 at a campaign event in Queensbury, New York. He handed Ryan’s family a handwritten note promising this donation, as reported by The Daily Gazette.
“I planned to give away my entire congressional salary from day one,” Constantino stated to Fox News Digital. He mentioned that upon being presented with various options by his team, he thought immediately of Sgt. Eddie Ryan, who inspired him to fight harder in his political race.
The Daily Gazette reported that Ryan, a former U.S. Marine Corps sniper, was severely injured in Iraq in 2005 due to friendly fire. He was struck twice in the head, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that has led to lasting mobility and speech challenges.
Constantino recounted meeting Ryan and his family earlier this year outside a Warren County Republican Committee meeting. Although brief, the encounter left a significant impact on him. “Sgt. Ryan is a role model for loving America and staying positive in adversity,” Constantino said.
During the June 10 event, Ryan expressed his surprise at the announcement, stating, “I’m still floored,” according to The Daily Gazette.
Constantino is competing against state Assembly Member Robert Smullen in the Republican primary on June 23 to succeed Rep. Elise Stefanik in New York’s 21st Congressional District. He has invested significant personal funds in his campaign, framing the race as a battle against the political establishment.
In earlier statements, Constantino expressed his desire to drive the country in a positive direction. “Once I saw firsthand how bad the swamp that President Trump talks about is, I felt I had no choice but to use my resources to fight it,” he said.
Earlier this year, Donald Trump endorsed Constantino by praising him as an “America First Patriot” on Truth Social.
This story includes contributions from Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano. Sophia Compton, a writer at Fox News Digital, has a background in business reporting and TV news production.