Holocaust Remembrance Day

Every year, on January 27, the world comes together to remember the millions of innocent men, women and children murdered by the Nazi regime. I would be remiss if I didn’t make one thing very clear—while today may be the official International Day of Remembrance, the thought that these atrocities were happening not too long ago and not too far away never escapes me.

Staying vigilant against antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination, is not something we should just verbalize, but practice on a daily basis. Together, we must ensure that the world never sees such darkness again.

We have unfortunately experienced heightened levels of discrimination aimed at our Jewish and Asian neighbors in recent years here in New York. Those acts go against everything I value as an American and I hope you all join me in re-committing that hate will not win.

Please take a moment today to say a prayer for all the lives lost, as well as those who lived through the unimaginable horror of the holocaust.

Speaker McCarthy Announces Key New Committee Members

The Speaker of the House announced the list of Congressional Members that will serve on a subcommittee that will investigate the “weaponization” of the federal government and COVID-19.

It is exactly for reasons like this that it was crucial for Republicans to take back the United States House. With Democrats no longer in control, special interest and big government take a hit. Now we have the ability to get to the bottom of the issues that matter most and investigate circumstances that changed the course of American history and our lives.

Rep. Jim Jordan has been tapped to lead the panel on weaponization. Joining him will be Reps. Darrell Issa, Thomas Massie, Chris Stewart, Mike Johnson, Chip Roy, Kelly Armstrong, Greg Steube, Dan Bishop, Kat Cammack, Harriet Hageman and New York’s own Elise Stefanik.

Rep. Elise Stefanik released a statement where she promised to “hold the DOJ and FBI accountable for their longstanding political weaponization.” Additionally, she intends to probe both the IRS and HHS.

Additionally, a new subcommittee on COVID-19 has also been formed to investigate the origins of the virus and what role the federal government may have played in its gain of function research as Republicans look for answers in regard to the pandemic.

To lead that committee, Speaker McCarthy chose Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Debbie Lesko, Michael Cloud, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ronny Jackson, Rich McCormick and another of New York’s stars Nicole Malliotakis.

CPPAC NEXT WEEKEND

The Conservative Party’s annual political action conference is coming up in just a few days. It is being held on Sunday, February 5^th and Monday, February 6^th at the Albany Hilton downtown just across the street from the State Capitol Building.

The conference is loaded with great speakers and events. The all-inclusive price of $175 includes two days of seminars, a Sunday night reception with newly elected members of Congress and the State Legislature, Monday morning breakfast, Monday lunch with Lee Zeldin and Alison Esposito, an evening reception and dinner with our Conservative Party endorsed members of the Assembly and Senate.

The Sunday and Monday sessions have programs designed to help you run candidates, reach out, raise funds and run a political party. There also will be great speakers and informative panels. You will hear from pollster John McLaughlin, author and China expert Gordon Chang, Brandon Judd the national head of the Border Patrol union as well as a panel consisting of Congress members Mike Lawler, Marcus Molinaro, Nick LaLota and Brandon Williams.

Use this link to register.

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Judge Hector LaSalle

The Democratic controlled State Senate Judiciary Committee voted against Governor Hochul’s nomination for Chief Judge marking the first time in history that a Governors nominee has failed to be confirmed. This is a shocking and embarrassing defeat for Governor Hochul at the hands of her own Democratic colleagues in the senate.

Judge LaSalle, who was endorsed last year in the 10^th Judicial District by the Conservative Party, is highly regarded for his fairness, intelligence, temperament and work ethic by colleagues, peers and lawyers alike. It is shameful that Judge LaSalle has not been afforded the right to go before the entirety of the New York State Senate for a confirmation vote of the full body. This does remain an open issue subject to litigation.

If it wasn’t clear already, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s (the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee) comments left no room for misinterpretation when he suggested any judge that received the Conservative Party nomination will not be considered by his committee.

The left wing crazies on the committee led by Hoylman-Sigal ensured that LaSalle never got a fair chance.

Top legal scholars, experts on the legislature and State Constitution, all agree that the advice and consent role of the Judiciary Committee is to make a recommendation to the entire 63 member Senate body.

This is yet another shameful play by Democrats in the State Senate who this time voted against one of their own because he dare enforce the law and carry out his duties as a judge.

Read my full release here.

Congressional Committee Assignments

New York’s Conservative Party endorsed Members of Congress got more good news this week as committee assignments were finalized. Many members received positions on top committees while others were assigned committees that are both near and dear to them, and most importantly, near and dear to New Yorkers.

The influence of New York around the country is front and center with the appointment of the following committees:

Rep. Nick Lalota NY-01: Homeland Security, House Armed Service

Rep. Andrew Garbarino NY-02: Financial Services, Homeland Security

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito NY-04: Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis NY-11: Ways and Means

Rep. Michael Lawler NY-17: Financial Services, Foreign Affairs

Rep. Marcus Molinaro NY-19: Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture

Rep. Elise Stefanik: Chair of the House Majority Conference

Rep. Brandon Williams NY-22: Transportation and Infrastructure, Science and Technology

Rep. Nick Langworthy NY-23: House Oversight, Agriculture

Rep. Claudia Tenney NY-24: Ways and Means

*Note: Rep. George Santos NY-03 has been assigned to Small Business; Science & Technology. However, the State & Nassau County Conservative Party position remains that he should show respect for his constituents and office by resigning. Furthermore, we no longer consider him a part of our delegation.

Mayor Adams and the Migrant Crisis

Why is it so difficult for Mayor Adams to admit that New York City cannot dig itself out of the economic hole that its economic and social policies have dug? Why does he not see that the city is still suffering from the effects of COVID turning many of our business and shopping areas into deserts of empty office space and closed stores? Why does the Mayor think that spending 2 billion dollars annually to address the migrant crisis is okay with most New Yorkers?

Mayor Adams creates more questions than he has answers. And although I do agree that Biden’s border policies are the biggest part of the problem, New York City government’s progressive rhetoric was naturally going to work against the city’s ability to serve its actual citizens from the start.

New York City couldn’t handle 2 buses of migrants without going into a state of emergency. What do they think is happening to Texas and Arizona?

Conference Update

We look forward to seeing you at our annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference. Though not nearly the first conference, it will be considerably different than in years past as we continue to evolve with the times and political landscape. We look forward to both great speakers and immensely informative breakout sessions.

We are happy to feature Lee Zeldin and Alison Esposito at Monday’s lunch, Gordon Chang on the dangers of TicTok and the growing China threat, John Mclaughlin on understanding polling, along with a panel of newly elected Congressmembers. We will also hold seminar presentations and processes with Brian Kolb on Public financing of elections, along with media training, petitions, party organizing, campaign interaction and raising money. Finally, Border security and parental rights with a closing reception honoring the super stars of last year’s legislature round out the conference.

This will, without a doubt, be our most successful conference yet!

To be a part of CPPAC, you can register here.

Post-Roe, Why We Still March for Life

Democrats Propose Constitutional Amendment to Overturn First Amendment Decision

VP Harris Did Not Do One Major Thing While Visiting Arizona

Congressional Delegation

 Our Congressional Delegation has done very well in the first set of committee announcements, many earning top positions in what will only make New York stronger as a state.

Congresswomen Claudia Tenney and Nicole Malliotakis were appointed to the Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful committee in the House of Representatives. Congressman Michael Lawler was appointed to the Financial Services Committee which oversees the Equity Markets and the Insurance Industry among its responsibilities.

They join Congressman Andrew Garbarino who was appointed a member of the Majority Steering Committee which works directly with the Speaker in managing the House Republicans.

Of course, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik the Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference is the third highest ranking member f the House Majority.

Next week appointments will be announced for the remaining members of the New York delegation. Considering our slate were the U.S. House “Majority Makers,” I expect that they too will do well.

Congratulations to all!

State of the State

 Having traveled to Albany for Governor Hochul’s State of the State, I am being kind in calling it a recipe for disaster. Maintaining the Dream which she hoped would become the thematic outline for her remarks were another reminder of the nightmare NYS government has created for most of its citizens.

There was little to offer on public safety. In fact, her approach will push off meaningful change for the  foreseeable future.

Her housing proposals are not realistic. The proposal to allow the state to override local zoning should be a non-starter. Ending the use of fossil fuels for heating in new construction which will require the use of electric heat pumps is an expensive burden for homeowners and landlords a like.

Her proposal to increase the minimum wage to above $21 and to link a cost-of-living adjustment with it, will drive more existing businesses out of the state and be one more barrier to attracting business.  Balancing budgets on ultra-expensive borrowing and federal funds that are unlikely to materialize remains her goal as she plans for a new record spending document. We need to cut spending.

Governor Hochul’s State of the State is a reminder that New York lacks a leader in the Executive Mansion. It’s a sorry State of affairs.

Read my full statement on Hochul’s speech here

Biden Caught with Classified Documents

 President Biden looked like a deer in headlights as he attempted to explain how so many classified documents came to be in his possession during his four-post Vice Presidency years in office. His Press Secretary did him no favors with her inability to articulately answer questions from the media and often times looking unprepared.

The bottom line is he cannot explain how they ended up in a totally non-secure setting. It is long overdue for the Democratic Party to hold Biden to the same standard they wish to hold President Trump. I suspect that will be impossible for a Party more focused on hate for President Trump then admitting to their own serious flaws.  My full statement is here.

BREAKING: Adam Schiff continuously demanded Twitter ban, censor, suppress criticism of self, staff, Biden: Twitter Files

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Joe Rogan puts leftist mega-donor George Soros on blast: ‘He wants cities to fall apart, crime to flourish’

Conservative Party Legislative Conference

In the 2022 gubernatorial election, Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin, carrying the Conservative endorsement, won a higher share of the vote in each of New York’s 62 counties than President Donald Trump won in the 2020 presidential election. Additionally, the Conservative Party helped deliver the U.S. House of Representatives for the incoming GOP Majority and expanded the number of conservative allies in the State Legislature.

Now, we turn our focus to building on that success.

This winter, we are holding our 55th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC). The conference is being held on Sunday, February 5 and Monday, February 6, 2023, at a new location: The Albany Hilton (40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207 If you plan on staying at the hotel, you are responsible for making your own reservations. Special rate is good until January 20, 2023)

This year’s conference will have an emphasis on training conservative activists with the practical skills needed to make the conservative case in the public marketplace of ideas. It will offer training for conservative-minded individuals who want to win in 2023 and beyond. If you are looking to strengthen your local party and train your committee members (and we hope you are), we encourage you to get them to this year’s CPPAC.

We are anticipating the most successful conference perhaps in the history of the party. Join New York’s standard-bearer and Monday keynote lunch speaker Lee Zeldin and his 2022 running mate Alison Esposito. Other noted speakers include China relations expert Gordon Chang, former Assembly Republican leader and current Public Finance Commission member Brian Kolb, and numerous members from New York’s Congressional delegation and State Legislature.

For further details and registration visit here.

New York Delegation Arrives in Washington

 I had the privilege of attending many events in our nation’s Capital for both returning and new members of the House from New York ho were elected with Conservative Party support.

The complications of electing a Speaker aside, we have an exciting, dynamic group of Congressmembers from New York. They can be expected to be common sense legislators fighting to protect our borders, a strong national defense, fair and equitable tax policies, support for law enforcement and values-oriented legislation.

As is our habit, the State party stays closely in touch with the group concerning their own proposals as well as important votes that regularly emerge. I also hope as individuals who stay current on Washington and Albany matters, you will keep our members informed on how you feel.

Choosing a Chief Court of Appeals Judge

Regardless of your view concerning the confirmation of Judge Hector LaSalle as the Chief Judge of the NYS Court of Appeals, you should be concerned that many Democratic State Senators have expressed little to no interest in qualifications or even basic fairness.

They want as partisan a court as they can get, even a court that ignores longtime precedents. Albany Democrats will go as far as to change a committee make up in order to keep a full floor vote of

the NYS Senate from occurring on LaSalle’s nomination. They want to say we would do the same. That is not true and frankly annoys me greatly.

Yes, there is right and wrong even in politics—especially in politics. Pushing for the Chief Judge of New York to be a partisan hack is simply wrong and puts New Yorker’s and our visitors in danger.

The Democrats in the NYS Senate need to stop playing games.

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Republicans Warn of National Security Risks as House Speaker Battle Extends Into Third Day

It was without a doubt a banner year for the New York State Conservative Party as together we delivered, and the party enjoyed one of its most successful years since our founding in 1962.

We entered 2022 with momentum stemming from our victories in 2021 defeating several ballot propositions that would have changed the way reapportionment, voting and even elections were conducted. This momentum carried us through a reapportionment litigation period in which the party played a key role in finding plaintiffs and developing arguments. Additionally, Conservative Party official, Ross Brady, served as a member of the NYS Reapportionment Commission where he provided a voice of reason within a sea of partisanship.

In 2022 we saw 11 Conservative Party endorsed candidates get elected or re-elected to Congress. From Long Island to NYC, the Mid-Hudson, Southern Tier, Central New York, The North Country and Western New York, we were victorious. We, in fact, were the actual margin of victory in four Congressional races. The New York delegation were truly the “Majority Makers.”  Many, including Newsmax, have said the House Majority would have indeed been in trouble if not for the Conservative Party.

Statewide, the Conservative Party played a pivotal role in ushering in the largest freshman Conservative/GOP class in the State Assembly in many years. The Kings County Conservative Party actually flipped three Assembly seats. Many other parts of the State including Long Island, Staten Island and Rockland County can lay claim to important Legislative turnovers.

Not to be outdone, Lee Zeldin had the best showing in terms of percentage, 47%, since 2002. In fact, Lee Zeldin’s statewide vote total of over 313,000, better than twice our enrollment, is one of the highest totals in the history of the party. In nearly 200 statewide elections since 1962, the 2022 vote total ranks within the top ten results.

With this result the Party comfortably held onto Row C.

Our party also enjoyed close to home victories as State Vice Chair Frank Tinari of Suffolk County and Joe Lorigo, son of Erie County Chairman Ralph Lorigo, were both elected to the State Supreme Court.

Finally, I am proud to announce, once again, that our enrollment year-over-year continues to grow around the state.

With all that said, it is clear that the party remains strong on a local, state and national level. The upcoming year will be about local elections, party building and our issue agenda that our Members of Congress and the State Legislature advocate for.

I wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays

From all of us at the Conservative Party we wish you Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. Some are already on their holiday vacation while others will be starting very soon. Wherever you are, we wish you a peaceful, safe and exciting holiday season with your family and friends.

2022 was a banner year for the Conservative Party throughout New York State. Together, we fought for our state and achieved many great things. I made a promise to move us in a winning direction and with your help, we remain on that path.

While 2023 will surely bring its new challenges, I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year and continuing our work together for a better New York. But first—enjoy your time away. We deserve this well-earned break with the people who matter to us most.

See you in 2023!