New York State Sen. Dan Stec, a Republican from North Country, is running for Congress in New York's 21st Congressional District. (Dan Stec via Facebook)
The North Country native, whose state senate district lies within Stefanik's congressional district, argued he is the best candidate to win the seat for Republicans because he has the highest name recognition there.
"My argument is that I am the most electable. If we are concerned about holding this seat and the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, you want to put your most likely-to-win candidate forward and no one can compare the numbers like I do with how much of the district I already represent," Stec told the outlet.
Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino is also running for the GOP nomination to succeed Stefanik. (Paul Antonelli)
Stefanik won a sixth term to represent the district which encompasses North County, New York, but President-elect Donald Trump chose her in November to fill the U.N. ambassadorship in his new cabinet.
In the campaign to be the Republican nominee to succeed Stefanik, Stec joins Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino, a political outsider whose claim to fame is a 100 ft. "Vote for Trump" sign he installed in upstate New York. Constantino is self-funding his campaign and has pledged $2.6 million to the effort.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Other Republicans mentioned as possible candidates include state Assemblymen Robert Smullen and Christopher Tague; and Rensselaer County Executive Steven McLaughlin, according to WWNY. Possible Democratic candidates include Assemblyman Billy Jones, whose state district falls just east of St. Lawrence County, as well as past unsuccessful challengers to Stefanik such as Matt Castelli and Paula Collins.
There will not be a traditional Republican primary for the special election. Instead, both the GOP and Democratic nominees will be chosen by party chairs in the district.
Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Chris Pandolfo is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/race-succeed-rep-elise-stefanik-update-new-york-heats-up-new-challenger