Stefanik draws a Democratic challenger in NY-21 PUBLISHED 11:23 AM ET Jun. 14, 2021 PUBLISHED 11:23 AM EDT Jun. 14, 2021 SHARE Democrat Matt Putorti on Monday formally launched his bid for the 21st Congressional District as he seeks the nomination to challenge Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik next year. Putorti, a 37-year-old attorney from Whitehall, in Washington County, released a video on social media highlighting his ties to the North Country. If elected, he would be the first openly gay man to serve in Congress from the district. "I'm running for Congress because Northern New Yorkers deserve a representative who will work to make their lives better," Putorti said. "Elise Stefanik is ripping apart the fabric of our community by bringing the divisiveness of our current politics to the North Country. My campaign will concentrate on the issues important to working families: access to good-paying jobs, healthcare everyone can afford, and schools that provide pathways to success for every child."