Republican state assemblyman Robert Smullen has withdrawn from the New York House race, stepping aside at President Donald Trump’s urging to consolidate support behind the Trump-endorsed candidate, Anthony Constantino. The announcement came on Friday following a meeting between Mr. Smullen and Mr. Trump at the White House, where the president emphasized the importance of unity between Republicans and Conservatives ahead of the midterm elections.

Mr. Smullen expressed gratitude for the meeting and said he was honored to discuss the party’s future with the president. His exit clears the way for Mr. Constantino, a business executive and longtime ally of outgoing Representative Elise Stefanik, who won the Republican primary last month. Ms. Stefanik, who is not seeking re-election, endorsed Mr. Constantino shortly after the primary, noting their shared history as private high school classmates.

Mr. Smullen, a former Marine and national security expert, had secured support from local and state GOP leaders as well as the Conservative Party, whose ballot line would have enabled him to remain in the race. However, Mr. Constantino enjoyed strong backing from President Trump, in part due to a prominent “VOTE FOR TRUMP” sign he installed atop his company headquarters and several personal tributes to the former president, including a life-size bronze statue and a self-produced rap album praising Mr. Trump.

The race between the two Republican candidates had become notably contentious, with Mr. Constantino employing aggressive tactics reminiscent of Mr. Trump’s style, including social media attacks and an unflattering nickname for Mr. Smullen, whom he referred to as “Slimball Bob.” Their rivalry reportedly reached a point where Mr. Smullen declined to shake Mr. Constantino’s hand after a May debate.

Following Mr. Smullen’s withdrawal, Mr. Constantino issued a conciliatory statement thanking his former opponent for his campaign efforts and service to the country. His consolidation of support significantly diminishes the chances of Democratic candidate Blake Genedebien, a dairy farmer seeking to flip the district. New York’s district is heavily Republican, with approximately 85,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats, making it one of the state’s most conservative districts.

Mr. Constantino has also garnered endorsements from Republican House leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, as well as multiple county GOP chairs who had previously supported Mr. Smullen. The Conservative Party has indicated it is unlikely to nominate a replacement candidate, with Chairman Gerard Kassar stating the party line will likely remain vacant.

Ms. Stefanik, still a popular figure in the district, acknowledged the conclusion of the primary race and expressed respect for the voters’ decision. Mr. Constantino is expected to benefit from the political infrastructure left by Ms. Stefanik, including her longtime aide Alex DeGrasse, who has played a key role in local Republican campaigns.

While Mr. Constantino’s campaign style and public statements have drawn criticism and satire beyond Republican circles, most notably from comedian Josh Johnson, his alignment with President Trump and party leadership positions him as the strong favorite in the upcoming general election.