REAPPORTIONMENT

With the new year, the process to redo NYS Congressional lines – resulting from a highly partisan and likely corrupt actions by the Governor and Court of Appeals – starts anew.

The Independent Redistricting Commission, that is equally divided between Republican/Conservatives and Democratic Commissioners, is under a mandate from the NYS Court of Appeals to submit a new Congressional map by the end of February. The Court of Appeals wrongly concluded that the current lines were only good for one term. The unconstitutional gerrymander of the original lines created by the Legislature stands as well as the arguments that the countless submissions reviewed by the appointed special expert master, as well as his own knowledge of the process, resulted in the current map.

The Party’s position is simple. The Commission should resubmit the heavily reviewed, and current Congressional map. There is no logical argument, beyond raw politics, that can overcome the reality that the current map created many fair battles with a Democratic/GOP ratio that closely resembles state voting behavior.

This agreed-upon plan should be passed by the Legislature.  This will satisfy the court and is eminently fair to voters.

The GOP/Conservative Commissioners have expressed support for keeping the maps the same.

A not-for-profit group entitled “Stop NY Corruption” has organized to further educate the public on the importance of keeping the current Congressional maps. Expensive, time-consuming, confusing, and completely unnecessary. Changing the current Congressional lines can help only one special interest group – the Democratic House Minority.

THE 2024 SESSION BEGINS

This past week, I traveled to Albany per invitations from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay and Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt to attend the annual opening events their caucuses host. I was pleased to cross paths with many of our party leaders who also made the trip.

I visited with many of our endorsed Assemblymembers, and State Senators, who are eager to rejoin the fight in Albany against the gigantic illegal migrant influx, deepening budget deficits, environmental policies that are being rejected by the private sector, the anti-parental control movement, and election changes designed to suppress the opposition.

Next week the Governor will give her State of the State Address, followed two weeks later by her budget message. I do not need to read or hear the State of the State to know that she is addressing hundreds of thousands of fewer New Yorkers. The many thousands who have abandoned our State due to unchecked Democratic policies.

CPPAC

We are officially one month away from our 56th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference in the heart of Albany NY! We have a fantastic event planned, with an array of speakers, legislators, and conservative activists. Just to name a few, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney will be addressing attendees Sunday, February 4^th, on the topic of “Securing the Vote”. As Co-Chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, she will bring immense knowledge that will help prepare us for the 2024 Presidential election year. The next day, February 5^th, we are pleased to be joined by our keynote speaker, David Keene. Mr. Keene is a trusted adviser to presidents, a longtime champion of personal liberty and one of conservatism’s most respected voices. He is the former opinion editor of The Washington Times. An author, columnist and fixture on national television, Mr. Keene has championed conservative causes for decades while offering advice to Republican presidents and countless candidates. He additionally served as chairman of the American Conservative Union and president of the National Rifle Association.

In addition, you should also expect to see people like Lee Zeldin, Joe Pinion, John McLaughlin, our NY Congressmembers, and much more. You won’t want to miss this event. You can purchase your ticket here, or print a registration form to mail in.

In order to receive a discounted hotel room for lodging, please book by Wednesday, January 10, 2024 and provide the Conservative Party’s “3CPNYS” registration code when calling the Hilton at 1-866-691-1183. Alternatively, you can make a hotel reservation online here:

In 2024, we are choosing a U.S. Senator, deciding upon members of our congressional delegation, selecting state legislators, and weighing in on a proposed constitutional amendment. It is imperative to the future of our great nation and the stability of our state that voters choose well.

Happy New Year!

In 2023, we enjoyed many great victories, but not without some setbacks; overall, it was a mixed year.  We are once again burdened with the Democratic super majority in the State Legislature, a highly partisan Governor and the growing dominance of radical Democrats. The failure to break a Democratic super majority in the State Senate was critical in the Democratic Party’s ability to revisit the congressional reapportionment. You can read my full press release on reapportionment here. 

The highly partisan nature of Governor Hochul and the Democratically-controlled legislature has resulted in a Court of Appeals that is mostly focused on doing the Democratic Party’s bidding.  We can no longer count on that court to give us a fair shake.  Our victories must come at the ballot box, a place in which I believe the Conservative Party is well-equipped to fight.

We will continue to litigate, particularly in matters that involve absentee ballots, early voting by mail, and changes in the election year for local offices outside of cities from off years – to even years. The ballot box is our best hope, but the lower courts, despite the highly partisan nature of the Court of Appeals, do remain a necessary spoke in our efforts to spread our conservative philosophy and counter Democratic Party efforts to silence our voice.

As much as we accurately claim that each election year is of great importance, 2024 truly is the most important election in decades.  The presidency, control of the congress, much needed advances in the state legislature are necessary to protect our way of life.

Hochul, Biden, Jeffries and democratic leaders in the State Legislature are actively working to change the America that we have known, and in doing so eliminating vocal political opposition. 

I remain confident in the “American Experiment” with faith in the American people, and New Yorkers in particular. The American people, have long appreciated the unique nature of our government, its protections of liberty, and individual rights. It’s unfortunate that leaders like President Biden and Governor Hochul have pushed so hard against basic American beliefs and principles. The Conservative Party has been, and will continue to be, a buttress against those who wish to infringe on our way of life. 

I wish you a safe and Happy New Year, and urge you to recommit yourself to the importance of participating in the great American experience, established by our founding fathers, implanted in our Constitution, and Bill of Rights. 

Happy New Year!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
December 23, 2023

Statement on Gov. Hochul’s Tammany Hall Plot to Bury Local Elections by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

Brooklyn-NY…”Governor Kathy Hochul is every bit the Tammany Hall politician that New Yorkers of good will hoped to never see again. Her relentless attacks on our electoral system are blatantly partisan, designed only to benefit the Democratic Party at the expense of all other New Yorkers. Mrs. Hochul, who narrowly avoided defeat in 2022, knows that by moving odd-year local elections to even years, she will be relegating otherwise prominent county and local races to the bottom of the ballot. These races will get almost zero press coverage in the shadow of larger federal and state races, and voters will be more likely to vote the party line in the absence of sufficient information.

“Governor Hochul’s cynicism seemingly knows no bounds. She is systematically rigging our election processes to the benefit of county Democratic Party operations and to the detriment of democracy itself.  The Conservative Party — and others who believe in free and fair elections — will see her in court again.

Happy Holidays!

As the year draws to a close, the New York State Conservative Party extends heartfelt wishes for a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous New Year to all our dedicated members, supporters, and their families.

In 2023, together, we achieved numerous successes and milestones, underscoring our commitment to conservative principles. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in these accomplishments, and for that, we are truly grateful.

As we embrace the holiday season, let us celebrate the spirit of Christmas and the Festival of Lights – a time of joy, unity, and reflection. May the warmth of family and friends surround you, bringing happiness and cherished moments.

Looking ahead, the New York State Conservative Party is excited about the opportunities that 2024 holds. With the upcoming Presidential year, we are gearing up for new challenges and victories that align with our core values. Your continued dedication is vital as we navigate this path together, but for now, enjoy a well-deserved break with loved ones.

In the spirit of the season, let us carry the goodwill and optimism into the coming year. May 2024 be a year of prosperity, unity, and success for our party and the conservative values we hold dear.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Thank you for being an integral part of our conservative family.

“On Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day, Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate.” -Ronald Regan

3^rd Congressional District

The New York State Conservative Party, in conjunction with the Nassau and Queens Conservative Party Committees, have chosen to endorse Mazi Melesa Pilips to run for the 3^rd Congressional District after the expulsion of George Santos. She is an outstanding public official who will be an incredible candidate to keep this seat in the hands of our party. I have talked to her extensively, and am confident she aligns with the Conservative Party’s values. Here is her bio:

Mazi Pilip is an Israeli-American politician serving in New York’s Nassau County Legislature representing Nassau County, Long Island’s 10th district, as a Republican. She is an Ethiopian Jew who was born in a poor village in Ethiopia, immigrated to Israel when she was 12 years old, and later served in the Israel Defense Force’s Paratroopers Brigade. She studied at the University of Haifa, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, and also studied at Tel Aviv University, where she earned a masters degree in diplomacy and security. In addition to her unique background, she is a married mother of seven children! In 2021 and again in 2023, Pilip was elected to the Nassau County Legislature.

You can read my full press release here:

Reapportionment Decision

It really came as no surprise, especially considering the manner in which Governor Hochul went about “fixing” the court. Our highest Court in NYS, the State Court of Appeals, made it abundantly clear that they engage in partisan politics; even when it’s against the will of the voters.

The decision this week threw out a congressional reapportionment that was considered fair, equitable, and competitive. Now the work goes to the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, a body that is divided equally between democrats and republican/conservatives.

The Conservative Party’s position is that the existing lines make perfect sense, and should be what the commission puts forward to the State Legislature. It’s worth noting that the Court of Appeals ruled on process. The original congressional lines done by the legislature, and thrown out last year by the courts, was ruled an unconstitutional gerrymander. That ruling still remains in place. These current lines produced by an expert special master made sense then, and make sense now. You can read our full press release here: 

Patriots Podium Featuring Joe Borelli

For our last Patriots Podium Episode of the year, I was delighted to have on the Minority Leader of the New York City Council, Joe Borelli. As many of you may know him, Joe is a major asset to the Conservative movement and a champion of common sense in NYC. With all the madness that occurs in NYC, people like him and the recently formed “Common Sense Caucus” help put a stop to the radical agenda coming out of the Democrats. In this episode, we dive into the hot topic of congestion pricing that recently came into effect. Joe goes into great detail on why congestion pricing is a complete disaster. You can listen using any of the links below:

YouTube                      BuzzSprout                  Apple Music                Spotify

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
December 14, 2023

New York State Conservative Party Chooses Nassau Legislator Mazi Pilip to Run in NY-3

Brooklyn-NY…The New York State Conservative Party today announced that Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip is its choice to run in the upcoming special election in New York’s 3rd Congressional District on Long Island. Ms. Pilip, who was also endorsed today by the New York State and Nassau Republican Party, will run against perennial Democrat candidate, former congressman Tom Suozzi.

Ms. Pilip was unanimously chosen by the Conservative Party’s executive committee, after being nominated for the office by Nassau County Conservative Party Chairman Daniel Donovan. Nassau Conservative Party Executive Vice President Chris Mistron seconded the nomination.

“There were a number of terrific candidates pursuing this nomination, but Legislator Pilip has everything we think it will take to retain this seat,” said State Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar.  “Ms. Pilip has an extraordinary background, and a built in political base within Nassau County. We trust that voters in the 3rd Congressional District will see what we see in her: a strong and confident leader and a champion of common sense. We look forward to campaigning with Ms. Pilip in the important weeks ahead.”

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Speaker Mike Johnson

This past weekend, I had an opportunity to spend time with House Speaker Mike Johnson at both a roundtable and lunch. The event was also attended by many of our endorsed Congress members including Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Lawler, Marcus Molinaro, Elise Stefanik, Anthony D’Esposito, and Nick LaLota. Conservative Party’s Livingston County Chairman, Jason McGuire, attended the luncheon with me.

Johnson, who hails from Northwestern Louisiana may be the most conservative House Speaker in over a hundred and twenty years. A constitutional attorney, well versed in conservative philosophy, Johnson can make the case for the values we hold dear.

During the roundtable, he emphasized the importance of the economic and financial bills being put forward by the House GOP, including his support for single-budget bills; ending the practice of submitting gigantic omnibus bills.

A former member of the House Judiciary Committee, Johnson indicated that there was more than sufficient evidence to impeach President Biden- an impeachment he will move forward in the coming days.

I did have a chance to talk with him for a few minutes about state politics, as well as my knowledge of his part of Louisiana where my wife and I own property.

Smart, articulate, and grounded in conservative values, Speaker Johnson thinks the way we do. As I have said before, we are fortunate to have him as the Speaker of the House.

Eventful Week

This week, the Conservative Party held a successful fundraiser in Syracuse with the help of Tom Dadey and local conservatives. We had a great turnout with an array of legislators, local leaders, and community members. Additionally, I had an opportunity to do several radio and cable shows around the state including the Bob Lonsberry Show and New York One with Bernadette Hogan.

Bob’s questions were excellent. There was great interest in my take on the distinctions between the various political parties as well as reasons to enroll in the Conservative Party. Be on the lookout for the release on our social media, website, Lonsberry Radio, etc.

NY-1 was interested in my take on the obvious deal Governor Hochul made with her former opponent Tom Suozzi to get her support for the 3^rd Congressional District Democratic endorsement. Suozzi will now be saddled with an unpopular Governor that he cannot escape from. You can read the article here.

Hunter Biden Indictment

As this is being written, more information is coming out on the Hunter Biden case, and an indictment has been issued. Hunter is being indicted on nine charges, including three felonies for avoiding paying over $1 million in taxes. “The Defendant engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019,” noted special counsel David Weiss. In addition, Hunter was funneling and withdrawing millions from his own company to afford his lavish lifestyle; neglecting to pay his tax bills. It seems crystal clear that Hunter is a serial tax evader, and just like any other American with this degree of charges, should spend some time in a penitentiary.

Happy Hanukkah

I wanted to take the time to wish all of our Jewish friends a safe, peaceful, and loving eight nights of Hanukkah. In the wake of horrific events, and the alarming rise in anti-semitism toward the Jewish community, it is more important than ever that we acknowledge the significance of their tradition. From the Maccabean victory to the miraculous oil lasting eight days, each candle symbolizes resilience, faith, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. Today, Hanukkah still stands as a beacon of hope and perseverance. As we join together in celebration, the New York State Conservative Party extends warm wishes for a Hanukkah filled with love and the promise of a future illuminated by unity, prosperity, and shared joy. Chag Urim Sameach!

MY TAKE ON ELECTION DAY IN NEW YORK

Overall, it was a mixed day that saw some gigantic wins for the Conservative Party; especially in Suffolk and Nassau Counties and some notable setbacks. The two counties, with 3 million residents, had been moving to the right for the past few years and is now highlighted with a Republican/Conservative Suffolk County Executive–Elect and a super majority in the Legislature. Together with numerous victories in Nassau County, Long Island’s deep red became a national news story. Nassau held the North Hempstead Supervisor position comfortably; a big town which until two years ago, had consistently elected Democrats for almost thirty years.

There were also many candidates who won by the difference of the Conservative Party line, including the newly elected Mayor of Troy, the first woman and first Republican/Conservative in many years, as well as the Sheriff of Rensselaer County.

In NYC, the Bronx Conservative Party was the margin of victory in a hotly contested City Council race. A first in the Bronx in literally decades.

Of course, it was not all good news. Although many areas saw the status quo, we did lose several key County Legislative seats costing us local control, town Supervisor positions, and other local offices. Unfortunately, there was a District Attorney Office that turned blue and a County Clerk spot too close to call that we currently hold.

The Party worked hard, and our total votes cast on our line Tuesday was high. For me, that is more than a consolation, but a reflection of our strength and momentum into 2024.

The Party goes into the key 2024 elections being able to look back on 2023 as a year that reinforced the key role our Party plays in New York State politics.

You can read our full Election Day statement here:

CONGRESSIONAL LINES REVISITED

The Court of Appeals next Wednesday will hold a hearing to determine if the Congressional Reapportionment should be sent back to the NYS Independent Redistricting Commission and then to the NYS Legislature.

When a special master under instructions from the State Supreme Court drew the lines last year because of the Commission and Legislature doing an unconstitutional gerrymander it was expected that they would be for the remainder of the decade. Statements at the time from multiple Judges, legislators, and experts said as much. The State Constitution speaks of reapportionments being final. A second review by the State Supreme Court said the same.

Yet, here we are. Democrats controlling the appeals courts in the State saw an opportunity. Now we will find out just how political the Court of Appeals has become. A majority Democratic Court ruled in favor of the lines that are now in effect.

So, what did Hochul and the Democratic leadership of the Legislature do? They changed the makeup of the Court of Appeals.

New Yorkers have long suspected corruption in the NYS Judiciary when political decisions are involved. This Court of Appeals can uphold what they have already done, or feed into the public’s belief that when it comes to politics, New York’s Democratically controlled Courts are fixed.

Patriots Podium Featuring Marilyn Musgrave

I had the pleasure of speaking with Marilyn Musgrave, former Colorado Congresswoman and Vice Chairwoman of Susan B. Anthony’s List. Marilyn has a proven Conservative track record, and is a major asset to the Pro-Life movement. Listen as we discuss many topics such as political culture in D.C., the Biden administration’s Anti-Life agenda, Roe V Wade, and much more! Visit any of the following links to listen:

YouTube              BuzzSprout            Apple Music              Spotify