“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: Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
cpnys.org @cpnys
New York – Feb. 26…The New York State Conservative Party today announced its official slate of statewide candidates for 2022. The candidates were formally selected on Saturday at the Party’s annual candidate convention held at the Westchester Manor in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY. They are:
“The Conservative Party is proud to put forward a superb slate of candidates for statewide offices,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “We had a broad group of candidates requesting our party line, and after extensive deliberations we chose the most qualified and electable candidates who came before us. New York State is in desperate need of reform — ethically, economically, and in public safety policy — and these candidates have what it takes to get the job done. New York voters deserve a lot better than they’re getting from a one-party rule in Albany and a Democrat-led U.S. Senate, and we are confident that these candidates will deliver for them.”
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Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 24, 2022
Brooklyn, NY “Vladamir Putin’s Russia revealed itself as a pariah state this morning as it launched an unprovoked invasion of democratic Ukraine.
“The New York State Conservative Party urges that President Biden and other world leaders impose the most severe sanctions possible on Mr. Putin’s regime.
“Ukraine is a free and independent nation that escaped the grasp of Marxism a generation ago. It must not be lost to totalitarianism again.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
cpnys.org @cpnys
February 22, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “Harry Wilson’s support for radical Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg makes him ineligible for serious consideration by Conservative and Republican voters. Mr. Wilson claims, hypothetically, that he’d remove an Alvin Bragg as governor, but his actions speak louder than words. By giving Mr. Bragg a $1,000 donation, he effectively endorsed him for office, an extraordinary lapse in judgment.
“Mr. Wilson’s decision to enter this race just days before the Conservative and Republican Party conventions — after remaining politically dormant for the past 12 years — also strikes us as more destructive than constructive. Where has he been all these years?
“The Conservative Party reiterates its firm support for Congressman Lee Zeldin for governor. Congressman Zeldin has the background, knowledge, and understanding of issues needed to make a great leader of our state. He is a proud combat veteran with a work ethic like no other candidate. Congressman Zeldin will make an outstanding Conservative Party nominee, and an even more outstanding governor.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117 Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 15, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “Christina Yuna Lee was an accomplished and beautiful young woman in the prime of her life. Her brutal and senseless murder, allegedly at the hands of a man who should have been in jail at the time — not on cashless bail — is an infuriating example of just how far New York has fallen because of Albany and City Hall criminal justice policy blunders. How many more neighbors will we lose before no-cash-bail is repealed and Broken-window policing is restored? How much more evidence do we need that these progressive, soft-on-crime experiments aren’t working?
“Ms. Lee’s murder should shake this city to its core because it shows just how vulnerable we all are when chaos is allowed to rule the streets. But more than that, it demands the return of common-sense policing in New York.
“The Conservative Party mourns the loss of Ms. Lee, and prays that her family finds peace again one day. We will not forget her, nor will we forget the policy that kept her alleged assailant on the street when he should have been in jail.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
February 1, 2022
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Democratic Gerrymandering in New York
Brooklyn, NY – “The proposed State Senate and Assembly district lines make clear that New York Democrats are terrified of political competition, just as the proposed congressional lines show how desperate Nancy Pelosi is to hold onto power.
“New York Democrats are so afraid of a healthy exchange of ideas that they altered longterm election norms last year to get rid of as many third parties as possible. Then they worked to change voting laws weeks after New Yorkers overwhelmingly rejected those same proposed changes at the ballot box. Now, they foolishly think they can kill off the Republican and Conservative parties with the most blatant gerrymandering this state has ever seen.
“Some of these district lines are downright comical in their configurations; Democrats should be embarrassed to put them forward. But the careful observer sees what they truly are: a profound statement of political weakness. A party confident in its performance, ideas, and convictions doesn’t need to resort to subterfuge. It welcomes open debate. New York Democrats are just the opposite. They’re circling the wagons, and for good reason. New Yorkers are quickly getting to know what one-party rule feels like.”
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Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
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SEN. GALLIVAN, ASSEMBLYMAN LAWLER, CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN KASSAR, CALL FOR LIFE-WITHOUT-PAROLE PRISON SENTENCES FOR NEW YORK COP KILLERS;
Urge Gov. Hochul to Remove Manhattan D.A. Bragg from Office
Latham, NY-Jan. 31…New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar, Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, and Assemblyman Michael Lawler today called for passage of legislation (A. 8682) that would impose mandatory life-without-parole prison sentences for the first- or second-degree murder of police officers or other New York first responders. Senator Gallivan and Assemblyman Lawler are prime sponsors of the measure in their respective houses. The announcement was made during the Conservative Party’s 54th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC) held in Latham, NY.
“As a former State Trooper and Sheriff of Erie County, I know first-hand how law enforcement officers and other first responders risk their lives to protect our communities,” Senator Gallivan said. “An attack on these brave men and women represents an attack on the community at large and our rule of law and order. Any individual who is convicted of murdering a police officer, peace officer, corrections officer or first responder must be held accountable and should never be eligible for parole.”
“As a society, we must stand up for those who serve and protect our communities every day,” Assemblyman Lawler said. “In recent years, too many cop-killers have been released on parole without a second thought for the victims and their families. Assembly Bill A 8682 would ensure that anyone who is convicted in the death of a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, or first responder would receive a mandatory sentence of life without parole. In the wake of the horrific killing of Officers Rivera and Mora, we must pass this bill without delay. Anything less is a signal to criminals across our state that it’s open season on law enforcement.”
“New York Democrats have made major criminal justice errors over the past few years, and New Yorkers and law enforcement officers working to keep them safe are paying dearly for it,” Chairman Kassar said. “The Conservative Party strongly supports this life-without-parole legislation, just as we urge reversal of the no-cash-bail law that sparked the ongoing statewide crime wave.”
Chairman Kassar also highlighted at the news conference an active petition signed by nearly 2,000 New Yorkers to date, calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to immediately remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg from office. The controversial D.A. announced earlier this month that his office would no longer pursue prison sentences for a host of serious crimes.
“Gov. Hochul needs to make a choice between public safety and runaway progressivism; there is no in-between,” Chairman Kassar said. “When a district attorney refuses to prosecute serious crimes, he must not remain in office. We call on Gov. Hochul to stand on the side of public safety by dismissing Mr. Bragg from his position this week. There isn’t a moment to waste.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 18, 2022
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Governor Hochul’s 2022-23 State Budget Proposal
Brooklyn, NY – “More than 200 nations around the world have budgets smaller than the $216 billion state budget behemoth Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed today. Her budget is more than those of Texas and Florida combined — each state with significantly higher populations than ours. New York is narrowly competing only with California, a state with twice our population, for the most expensive state government in America. The Hochul budget is almost half the size of Russia’s — Russia’s!
“Meanwhile, the moving trucks keep arriving. Boy, do we need a change of direction in Albany.”
CONSERVATIVE PARTY PETITION CALLS ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO REMOVE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALVIN BRAGG
“If Governor Hochul allows Mr. Bragg to remain district attorney, she’ll be signing the death warrant of an untold number of New Yorkers. Firing him could be the most important act she makes as governor of this state.”
Brooklyn, NY – Jan. 14, 2022 The New York State Conservative Party today released an online petition calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to remove newly elected New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg from office, which she has the power to do. D.A. Bragg recently announced that he would not seek prison sentences for dozens of serious crimes, sparking immediate public outrage.
Governor Hochul has failed to take any action thus far about Mr. Bragg’s refusal to properly enforce the law.
“The Conservative Party is the party of common sense in New York, and common sense is needed more than ever in this case,” said Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar. “We have a renegade district attorney on our hands, and he must be removed from office. We urge New Yorkers to sign our petition to Governor Hochul, because — guaranteed — people are going to die because of Mr. Bragg’s wild ideological policy decision.”
In his first memo to staff on Monday, January 3rd, Mr. Bragg said his office “will not seek a carceral sentence” except with homicides and a handful of other cases, including domestic violence felonies, some sex crimes, and public corruption.
Bragg’s memo detailed the following instructions for prosecutors to reduce charges filed by cops in various cases:
Armed robbers who use guns or other deadly weapons to stick up stores and other businesses will be prosecuted only for petty larceny, a misdemeanor, provided no victims were seriously injured and there’s no “genuine risk of physical harm” to anyone. Armed robbery, a class B felony, would typically be punishable by a maximum of 25 years in prison, while petty larceny subjects offenders to up to 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Convicted criminals caught with weapons other than guns will have those felony charges downgraded to misdemeanors unless they’re also charged with more serious offenses. Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony, is punishable by up to 7 years behind bars.
Burglars who steal from residential storage areas, parts of homes that aren’t “accessible to a living area” and businesses located in mixed-use buildings will be prosecuted for a low-level class D felony that only covers break-ins instead of for more serious crimes. Those more serious crimes, class B and class C felonies would be punishable by up to 25 and up to 15 years in prison respectively.
Drug dealers believed to be “acting as a low-level agent of a seller” will be prosecuted only for misdemeanor possession. Also, suspected dealers will only be prosecuted on felony charges if they’re also accused of more serious crimes or are actually caught in the act of selling drugs. That felony would mean facing up to seven years behind bars.
Mr. Bragg continued: “ADAs should use their judgment and experience to evaluate the person arrested, and identify people: who suffer from mental illness; who are unhoused; who commit crimes of poverty; or who suffer from substance use disorders. Charges should be brought consistent with the goal of providing services to such individuals, and leverage during plea negotiations should not be a factor in this decision,” he wrote.
“If Governor Hochul allows Mr. Bragg to remain district attorney, she’ll be signing the death warrant of an untold number of New Yorkers. Firing him could be the most important act she makes as governor of this state,” Mr. Kassar said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 10, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “I’m proud to join with Republican officials in signing onto litigation to prevent voting by up to 800,000 non-U.S.-citizens in future New York City municipal elections.
“This outrageous new law is almost certainly unconstitutional, and it cannot stand. Voting in modern America is properly reserved for U.S. citizens — and U.S citizens alone — and attempts by the Democrat Party to erase all distinctions between citizen and non-citizen are dangerous and wrong.
“One almost misses the days when the City Council was simply an object of humor: (Q. What’s the difference between the New York City Council and a rubber stamp? A. A rubber stamp leaves an impression.)
“There’s nothing funny, whatsoever, about the City Council now. It’s radicalism knows no bounds.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
January 5, 2022
Brooklyn, NY – “It’s amazing how little substance a 237-page State of the State report can contain. Governor Kathy Hochul’s mercifully abbreviated address said even less — which tells us everything.
“Six months after taking office as governor, and seven years after becoming lt. governor, Mrs. Hochul showed today that she has almost no helpful ideas for New York. Her State-of-the-State announcements were simply retreads of old, unaffordable proposals, and double-downs on failed policies implemented by her former partner Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“We hoped Governor Hochul would address rising crime rates caused by no-cash-bail. We hoped she’d push back against deluded progressives like Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg who just announced that he’s forgoing prison sentences for crimes including Armed Robbery.
“We hoped Mrs. Hochul would apologize for firing healthcare workers in the middle of a pandemic; that she’d speak out about racial preferences for life-saving medical care, and finally address New York’s counterproductive tax burden that’s chased a million and a half former New Yorkers, and jobs, out of state.
“Instead, we got more of the same, and more of the same isn’t good enough.
“New Yorkers looking for change — actual, hopeful change — learned today that it isn’t coming under this administration. Fortunately for them, this is an election year.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
December 14, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on JCOPE Ordering that Cuomo Return $5.1 Million From Controversial Book Deal
Brooklyn, NY – “Gov. Andrew Cuomo never should have profited from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) is right to demand the return of the illicit $5.1 million windfall he received from his book publisher.
“JCOPE must now rule on whether Mr. Cuomo can use campaign dollars to fight this decision in court. He should be precluded from doing so; the book deal was entered into for personal profit and had nothing to do with the duties of his office.
“The Conservative Party urges the continued investigation into whether Mr. Cuomo falsified nursing home death numbers to land the lucrative book contract. Only then will the public fully understand what was going on behind the doors of the State Capitol during the early days of the pandemic.
“The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they do in fact turn.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 26, 2021
Statement from New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar on Gov. Hochul’s Politicization of Redistricting Process
Brooklyn, NY – “As millions of New Yorkers prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday Wednesday afternoon, Governor Kathy Hochul surreptitiously signed into law legislation that would overrule the will of New York voters by giving the Democrat-led State Legislature complete control over New York’s redistricting process.
“New York voters overwhelmingly rejected a November ballot initiative that would have gutted independent redistricting; now Governor Hochul is attempting to subvert their wishes. The New York State Conservative Party will not allow Governor Hochul’s blatant politicization of redistricting to stand.
“One hopes that her machinations will be vigorously reported in the news media and criticized by good government organizations. Had a Republican governor tried to pull this off, one suspects it would be bigger news by now.”
