“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it”-Ronald Reagan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
June 27, 2024
Presidential Debate Statement by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“Tonight’s debate wasn’t even close. President Trump trounced President Biden before tens of millions of American voters. Biden’s performance was at times painful to watch. One couldn’t help wondering if the incumbent President can make it through the next four months, never mind the next four years.
“President Trump demonstrated a clear and energetic grasp of the issues and he presented a winning vision for the country moving forward. Biden’s strongest moment came in the form of a TV commercial. Trump won this debate hands down, and everyone knows it.”
Our 2024 Spring Reception, held last night at the New York Athletic Club in New York City, was an outstanding success. The event saw a fantastic turnout including a distinguished array of legislators, candidates, conservative activists and dignitaries, all gathering to celebrate and reinforce our shared values and commitment to conservative principles.
The highlight of the evening was the honoring of our longtime Secretary, Howard Lim, with the prestigious Michael R. Long Award. This award, now in its second year, recognizes exceptional dedication and service to the Conservative Party, and Howard’s contributions over the years have truly embodied these qualities. The presence of the Long family, who attended in support of Howard, added a heartfelt touch to the celebration, underscoring the deep bonds and shared history within our party.
Our reception chairman, and Bronx County Conservative Chairman, Pat McManus, led us in the welcoming ceremony; followed by the one and only, Jim Kerr, our master of ceremonies, who himself is worthy of an award.
Christian Browne, who is one of the lead attorneys fighting the proposed “Equal Rights Amendment” gave our audience an informative update on what to expect with Prop One this November. Recently, the Appellate Court ruled to reinstate the controversial Prop One initiative to November’s ballot, which reeked of partisanship and was bereft of legal substance. Our Party, and organizations like Protect Kids NY will do everything in our power to fight against this ill-conceived amendment. You can read our press release on the ERA here.
A special thank you to our sponsors, my assistant Eileen, our Director of Operations Andrew, and our newest intern Sean, for putting together a great event as always! To everyone who made this evening memorable, thank you, and congratulations Howard!
Siena Poll
Yesterday, Siena College Research Institute put out a poll that reflects what New Yorkers already know: Governor Kathy Hochul is a failed governor and a change needs to be made at the White House. What’s happening in Albany and Washington is unacceptable.
The Governor’s lowest-ever approval rating (38-49%) should come as no surprise. New Yorkers are exhausted by the cost of living in this state and by progressive policies that have triggered an ongoing crime and migrant crisis. Voters of all parties are coming to realize that the utopian promises of the political left are a cruel ruse, just like they’ve always been. You can read the full press release here.
Travels
On Saturday, we held our State Executive Committee meeting where we recognized four Conservative Party Members for their exceptional efforts in increasing conservative enrollment in their county. In addition, they received our “Torch of Freedom” pin for registering over 50 Conservatives each! Congratulations to Gonzalo Duran (Bronx), Jason Murillo (New York), Dion Powell (Bronx), and Pasquale Lagana (Westchester).
Wednesday evening, I was happy to take the trip to Suffolk County for a fantastic reception. Congratulations to James Kevins for being honored with the Suffolk County Conservative Party’s Lifetime Achievement Award!
Today, I headed back to Long Island for the GOP’s Protect the Vote Tour regarding ballot security. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley was in attendance explaining their operations and, I have to say, I am pleased with the efforts they have made and continue to make in NYS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
June 20, 2024
Siena Poll Statement by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“Today’s Siena College Research Institute poll reflects what New Yorkers already know: Governor Kathy Hochul is a failed governor and a change needs to be made at the White House. What’s happening in Albany and Washington is unacceptable.
“The Governor’s lowest-ever approval rating (38-49%) should come as no surprise. New Yorkers are exhausted by the cost of living in this state and by progressive policies that have triggered an ongoing crime and migrant crisis. Voters of all parties are coming to realize that the utopian promises of the political left are a cruel ruse, just like they’ve always been.
“It’s also no surprise, but notable nonetheless, that former President Donald Trump is in striking distance of winning New York. No Republican has won this state since Ronald Reagan in 1984, and the Conservative Party pledges to help deliver the state 40 years after that historic victory. The New York voting public is waking up to the reality of what Democrats are doing to this state and nation. The time for change is now.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
June 19, 2024
Statement on Appellate Court Prop One Decision by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“In New York State, there is no rule of law — that seems to be the attitude of today’s highly-politicized court system. Politics takes precedence over justice here.
“Last night’s Appellate Court ruling reinstating the controversial Prop One initiative to November’s ballot reeked of partisanship and was bereft of legal substance. In this land the law forgot, an appeal is expected but it’s probably pre-doomed.
“Prop One is a clear affront to individual rights, and the New York State Conservative Party will continue to fight it. This carelessly worded proposal would open up a legal can of worms the likes of which New York has never seen. It must be defeated at the ballot box by the New Yorkers it would affect.”
On this Flag Day, we proudly celebrate the enduring symbol of our nation—the American flag. It represents the values of freedom, liberty, and justice that are the foundation of our great country. The American flag has been a beacon of hope, strength, and resilience that is acknowledged throughout the world.
Our flag has flown over countless battlefields, and still, the stars and stripes remind us of the sacrifices made by countless men and women who have defended these principles throughout our history. It has adorned our homes, schools, and public buildings, symbolizing our commitment to the values enshrined in our Constitution.
As members of the Conservative Party, we hold dear the traditions and ideals that the flag embodies. Let us honor this day by reaffirming our commitment to preserving the meaning behind the flag, protecting individual liberties, and igniting a spirit of patriotism in our communities. Let us teach our children the importance of respecting and honoring our flag, so that future generations may continue to cherish and uphold the values it represents.
We also remember the words of President Ronald Reagan, who said, “When we honor our flag, we honor what we stand for as a Nation—freedom, equality, justice, and hope.” Let these words guide us as we navigate the challenges of this election season and strive to build a brighter future for all Americans.
Happy Flag Day America!
Spring Reception June 20th
We are less than one week away from our 2024 Spring Reception honoring Howard Lim with the second annual Michael R. Long Award. Join us in celebrating Howard’s dedication and invaluable contributions as the longtime Secretary of the NYS Conservative Party and his unwavering commitment to the conservative movement. There will be an array of Legislators, party members, and supporters in attendance.
The reception will be held at the historic New York Athletic Club in New York City on June 20th, from 6-8 pm located at 180 Central Park South, New York 10019. There is still time to RSVP, and if you need more information, you can call 718-921-2158. We look forward to a great event and we hope to see you there!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
June 8, 2024
Statement on End of Legislative Session by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“The 2024 Legislative Session will go down as the most expensive Albany session in history, with final numbers coming in long after the budget was passed. It’s remarkable that a state can spend so much money while accomplishing so little. Taxpayers got no relief from the insane cost of living in this state; nothing was done to restore sanity to our criminal justice system; illegal migrants were further incentivized to come here by New York’s progressive leadership; consumers will pay more at the grocery store because of woke environmental policies, and housing will remain scarce because property owners are overtaxed and over-regulated. No corner of this state went untouched by Albany’s woke ineptness this year. The good news is that voters get to do something about it on Tuesday, November 5th.”
One eighty-degree reversals by politicians often tell more of the story then the officials or candidate wants to admit. Albeit that is what happened on the week of June 3rd for President Biden and Governor Hochul.
Biden splashed what his administration described as a new approach to the illegal alien issue, all over the media last Monday. After allowing literally millions of illegals into the United States, either as asylum seekers or through porous border policies, the universal rejection by the American people became a very real November issue.
Suddenly, all the Biden/Hochul inaccurate criticism of Republicans evaporated with a Biden Executive Order, which Biden apparently had the authority to issue three years ago. Rather than issuing the order, the Biden Administration took the view that everything Trump did was bad, no matter how good it had been in protecting our national security.
Biden and the Democrats will appropriately continue to receive the blame for this illegal alien crisis which has affected our security and economy. Americans have lost their trust in Biden, with Hochul doing herself no service in standing next to him during his announcement. In fact, none of her policies on this issue have been remotely helpful to her or any New Yorkers.
It should be noted that under the Biden proposal over 900,000 asylum seekers will be allowed in the U.S. annually and hundreds of thousands of older cases that would normally be adjudicated by a federal hearing officer will disappear.
Nothing will change at illegal border crossings because Biden will not devote the resources necessary to secure them.
“Remain in Mexico” or for that matter, any foreign entity for asylum seekers, was a key element of the Trump border policy. And of course, building a wall and having the necessary number of border patrol agents was the other key in what most felt was a solid policy.
Congestion Pricing
Once again, Biden and Hochul share a spotlight on an incredibly unpopular policy to toll entry into most of Manhattan by vehicles. For those not familiar with Manhattan, that is 900,000 vehicles per day.
Biden stopped his EPA from doing the necessary environmental reviews prior to the program moving forward in New York. Hochul, who was 150% for it until one day she was completely against it, acted as though she was a hostage to the anti-business, anti-car, selective polluting green lobby.
Clearly reading polls that showed in the MTA catch basin, an area of more than 13 million New Yorkers, congestion pricing was going to be a daily reminder of why progressive Democrats needed to be defeated at every level.
The many lawsuits waiting to be heard, heavily engaged Republican and Conservative Parties, a solid block of local GOP/Conservative elected officials, including Congress members Mike Lawler, Anthony D’esposito, Nicole Malliotakis, several common-sense Democrats and the entire government of the State of New Jersey made the congestion pricing cause even less tenable.
And then there was former President Trump, intimately familiar with NYC, his longtime home, stating that when elected he would put an end to congestion pricing. Congressional Democratic Leaders of Brooklyn and Governor Hochul did not need to hear more to know that this would be an issue that would hurt Democrats in November. You can read our full press release here and Trumps Truth Social message calling out the congestion pricing money grab here.
We all need to be wary. Hochul is untrustworthy and could bring the policy back if we have a less than a fruitful November. We need to re-elect President Trump, keep the House controlled by conservatives, and win seats in the State Legislature.
Once again elections have consequences.
Spring Reception
You are cordially invited to our Spring Reception honoring Howard Lim with the prestigious Michael R. Long Award. Join us in celebrating Howard’s dedication and invaluable contributions as the longtime Secretary of the NYS Conservative Party and his unwavering commitment to the conservative movement.
The event will be held at the New York Athletic Club in New York City on June 20th, from 6-8 pm located at 180 Central Park South, New York 10019. Your presence will make this special occasion even more memorable as we recognize Howard’s exceptional service and leadership. Please RSVP by June 14th, and if you need more information, you can call 718-921-2158. We look forward to seeing you there!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
June 5, 2024
Statement on Congestion Pricing Halt by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“This is a major victory for New Yorkers by New Yorkers, and a reminder that persistent opposition has consequences, too.
“Governor Hochul’s halting of the congestion pricing tax is an admission of what opponents have been saying all along: the tax would have been unfair, regressive, and economically counterproductive. It should never see the light of day again.
“Governor Hochul should now focus on a massive overhaul of the MTA’s leadership. An agency that loses more than $700 million annually in lost fares and tolls, and which spends seven times more to lay a mile of track than the second most expensive city in the world, needs a top-to-bottom audit. It spent more than $1.4 billion in overtime costs alone last year.
“The Conservative Party has stood firmly against this tax from the very beginning. We are proud to have been a leader in this historic citizen-driven battle. Tenacity pays off.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
June 4, 2024
Statement on Gov. Hochul’s Social Media Bill by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“Governor Kathy Hochul is right to worry about teen mental health in this state, but how does she explain Prop One?
“This radical ballot measure would prevent parents from knowing if a child is transitioning genders in New York, including through surgical procedures now banned in many parts of Europe. If Governor Hochul really wants to protect children, she’d end her efforts to pass this dangerous initiative. Children need their parents in times of personal crisis.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
June 3, 2024
Two NYPD Officers Shot by Venezuelan Migrant; Statement From New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“When will New York Democrats realize that their sanctuary state policies are an unmitigated disaster? This morning, two New York City Police Officers were shot by a 19-year-old Venezuelan migrant on a scooter. They survived the shootings only by the grace of God and, in one case, a bulletproof vest. We pray for the officers’ full recovery.
“New Yorkers are being terrorized by roving gangs of illegal migrants on a daily basis, and it’s almost beyond belief that Governor Hochul doesn’t recognize the cause. New York is effectively paying illegal migrants to locate here. Just last month, Mrs. Hochul and her Democrat colleagues in Albany approved $2.4 billion in tax dollars for mostly illegal migrants, and now they’re trying to spend another billion of our tax dollars on the growing migrant population. Every dollar spent sends a message around the world: Come to New York; they pay people who break the law here.
“This morning’s shootings never should have happened. The shooter never should have been in New York in the first place. Sanctuary state policies all but pulled the trigger.”
I spent a good part of the past week on the road supporting our candidates, visiting with party leaders, supporters and attending events across the state.
Joe Cairo, the Nassau GOP Chairman, invited myself and Nassau Conservative Party Chairman Dan Donovan to join the GOP organization at Nassau Night in Albany. Elected officials ranging from County Executive Bruce Blakeman, State Senators, Assemblymembers, local elected officials, party officials and Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, were a reminder of how strong the GOP and Conservative Parties are in Nassau County.
The next day began with an early breakfast with Albany area financial supporters of the Party. I then made my way down the Thruway to Orange County where I held a press roundtable with Congressional candidate Alison Esposito, Assembly candidate Tom Lapolla, and Orange County Conservative Party Chairwoman Grace White. We had good press coverage with many of our party people in attendance including the esteemed former Chairman John DeLessio.
Dorey Houle, the Republican and official Conservative Party candidate for State Senate in Orange County faces a Conservative Party primary from Tim Mitts, who re-enrolled as a Conservative on February 14th – the last possible day. It is clear that he is a spoiler put up by liberal Democratic Senator James Skoufis to drain votes from Dorey, who came within a hair of beating him two years ago. Grace, Allison, and Tom used the roundtable to not only discuss important issues in their campaigns, but also to express our strong support for Dorey.
Then, onto Tappan in Rockland County with our Director of Operations, Andrew Davis, to push for the re-election of Assemblyman John McGowan. The Assemblyman, a former Prosecutor, has a 92% Conservative Party rating. He faces a serious challenge from a well-funded Democratic local office holder. Once again there is a Conservative Party primary by a candidate who is quick to admit that he is no more than a spoiler candidate. John is the official party nominee. I was pleased to be joined by County Executive Ed Day, GOP Chairman Lawrence Garvey and Conservative Party Regional Vice Chairman Bill Beckmann for the enlightening press conference.
Later in Eastchester, I gave remarks at State Senate candidate Tricia Lindsay’s incredibly successful fundraiser. It was wall-to-wall people in a large room with enthusiasm and excitement permeating the air. Our Eastchester Chairman, Bob Fois, was front and center. It was great to share speaking duties with Bobbie Anne Cox, State Senator George Borrello, County Legislator Jimmy Nolan, Joe Pinion, and GOP Chairman Doug Colety.
I hope to spend many days over the next six months on the road meeting with Party leaders, candidates, the press, supporters and anyone wishing to help the Conservative cause.
Trump Verdict
In a deeply flawed decision, President Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts in a highly biased Manhattan courtroom. This was a verdict most Americans view as a culmination of a prolonged and politically motivated campaign to undermine a president who has consistently championed American values and fought against the entrenched establishment.
I accompanied President Trump for one day of the trial, at which time I saw firsthand the prejudice displayed by Judge Merchan against President Trump. In addition to the judge, I watched the prosecutors given every opportunity to affect the jury outcome, while the defense attorneys were stymied at every opportunity. It was a Manhattan jury, probably the worst place in America for Trump to get a fair trial. Unfortunately, I was proven right.
In my opinion, this conviction backfired on the Democratic party; Americans will remember this come November.
This relentless pursuit of President Trump has diverted significant resources and attention away from pressing national, state, and local issues that New Yorkers really care about. As you saw in the deep blue Bronx last week, New Yorkers are fed up with failing Democrat policies, and this distraction will not deter them from voting for Trump.
Looking ahead to November 5th, the New York State Conservative Party is committed to rallying behind President Trump, confident that the American people will see through this unjust prosecution and vote to restore common sense back to office. The New York State Conservative Party, and our members, proudly stand with President Trump.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
May 30, 2024
Statement on Trump Verdict from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
“Today’s decision is a travesty of justice. The entire trial was engineered by a liberal, anti-Trump district attorney, a Democrat justice, and a Manhattan jury. The verdict comes as no surprise, but it is a shameful mark on our nation’s judicial history.
“This decision will have no bearing on the upcoming election. President Trump’s supporters have known since the beginning that this was nothing but a partisan show trial. Onward to November.”
