A New York man has been arrested after allegedly being caught on video stealing campaign signs for Republican congressional hopeful Anthony Constantino while driving a vehicle owned by his employer.
According to Fox News, Josef Marris now faces two counts of criminal possession of stolen property, as announced by the Essex County Sheriffs Office. Constantinos campaign added that Marris has since been terminated from his job at East Branch Organics, underscoring the seriousness of the alleged conduct.
Constantino, who is running in New Yorks 21st Congressional District, said the apparent targeting of his signs was meant to send a chilling message to his base. "My campaign has lost more than $100,000 to sign theft and vandalism," Constantino told Fox News Digital, adding, "There are now multiple attempts to intimidate my supporters by people who are clearly pro-crime and pro-violence. The media needs to stop pretending this is a both-sides problem."
The campaign further alleged that Marris acted on behalf of Democratic candidate Blake Gendebien, who is vying for the same seat. Gendebiens campaign did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment, leaving key questions about any political coordination unanswered.
Constantino also took aim at his opponent on X, writing that the Democrat "is surrounded by FAR LEFT EXTREMISTS." That criticism aligns with broader conservative concerns that left-wing activism is increasingly spilling over into harassment and property destruction.
Marris has described himself online as a communist and an Antifa supporter, according to social media posts reviewed by Fox News Digital. In April 2023, he shared an image of the three-arrow symbol historically linked to socialist and anti-fascist movements, a visual cue that reflects the hard-left ideology now brushing up against a competitive House race.
The symbol alone does not prove Marris is formally part of Antifa or that Gendebiens campaign had any role in the alleged thefts. Still, the episode unfolds as Gendebien holds a lead over Constantino in the contest to replace retiring Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and as North Country Public Radio has shifted its rating of the 21st District from "solid" Republican to "likely" Republican, suggesting that conservative gains cannot be taken for granted even amid escalating intimidation tactics.
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