‘The Biggest Loser’ trainer and former boxer launches NY Senate bid to knock out Kirsten Gillibrand
A former Golden Gloves boxing champ and celebrity fitness trainer on TV’s “The Biggest Loser” launched a bid to “knock out” three-term Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the November election.
Trump backer Cara Castronuova — a conservative journalist who has advocated for Jan. 6 rioters — emerged as a late entry into the GOP fray just days before state party leaders are set to select a favored candidate at a convention Thursday.
“I have been a fighter my whole life,” said Castronuova, 44. “Let me get inside the ropes against Kirsten Gillibrand — one-on-one, woman vs. woman. I will knock her out of DCC and bring home the title to the Republican Party.
“I’m not afraid,” she told The Post Monday. ” know what’s like to lose. I know what it’s like to win. It’s about the fight.”
Castronuova has netted endorsements from the Staten Island Republican Party, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone.
Castronuova ran for state Assembly in 2022, losing to Democrat Michaelle Solages in the blue 22nd district. She received 42% of the vote.
She co-founded the group Citizens Against Political Persecution to advocate for alleged Jan. 6 pro-Trump rioters at the Capitol building and has been a reporter for Newsmax, recently interviewing Trump supporters in The Bronx.
Given her late bid into the race just days before the convention, Castronuova said her goal is to get 25% of the weighted vote from party activists at the convention to qualify to run in a Republican primary.
“Primaries are healthy. Voters should have a choice,” said Castronuova, a lifelong Elmont resident and Hofstra University graduate.
Retired NYPD detective Michael Sapraicone is considered the frontrunner to net the endorsement after lining up substantial support from GOP leaders in most of the largest counties in the state.
Also seeking the nomination is businessman Josh Eisen, who has been endorsed by former GOP Gov. George Pataki.
In 2020, Castronuova organized an anti-lockdown protest in Albany during the COVID-19 outbreak.
She said she’s an unapologetic booster of former President Trump.
“I’m an `America First” person. I believe Trump had great policies and he was a great president. He’s retweeted articles I have written,” Castronuova said.
“I’m not wishy-washy. Trump is the leader of our party.”
