The Conservative Party of New York State has reelected Gerard Kassar as chair for another two-year term, with Republican President Donald Trump praising the result in the days following and saying he had “very strongly supported” Kassar for the position.
Kassar was unanimously reelected to a fifth term by the party’s State Committee, which met September 19 in White Plains to elect officers and conduct other items of party business. Members also reelected Ralph Lorigo as executive vice chair and Howard Lim as secretary, while electing at-large member Matthew Beadnell as treasurer. The committee also filled its state and regional vice chair positions and elected additional members of the party’s Executive Committee.
Kassar has chaired the state Conservative Party since 2019, when he succeeded Michael Long following Long’s retirement after more than three decades leading the organization. Kassar has been reelected to the position with unanimous support in each leadership race since.
His most recent reelection also received public support from Trump, who said last Friday on Truth Social that he backed Kassar for the position. Trump further praised Kassar as “MAGA all the way” and for dedicating his life to both the Conservative Party and New York.
“I know Jerry will continue to do a fantastic job, and secure many Victories for New York Conservatives and Republicans in the 2026 Midterm Elections, and beyond,” Trump said. “THANK YOU NEW YORK — MAGA2026!”
Trump and the state Conservative Party have maintained a close electoral relationship, although the organization is a distinct political party from the Republican Party. Under New York’s fusion voting laws, organizations like the Conservative Party are able to give their line to those candidates who are also appearing on the ballot under other lines, allowing votes cast for the candidate on those lines to contribute toward the same overall result.
The state Conservative Party has endorsed Trump in each of his three presidential campaigns. The party has also said the over-320,000 votes Trump received on its line in 2024 represented the second highest presidential vote total in its history, behind only Richard Nixon in the 1972 election cycle.
Following the September meeting, Kassar turned much of his attention toward the party’s statewide slate for November, saying he was optimistic about the coming year and that the organization “has never fielded a stronger statewide ticket.” The party is supporting Bruce Blakeman for governor, Todd Hood for lieutenant governor, Saritha Komatireddy for attorney general, and Joseph Hernandez for comptroller.
“These are serious, accomplished people running against an Albany establishment that has driven families, employers and retirees out of New York by the hundreds of thousands,” Kassar said. “[…] Bruce Blakeman, Todd Hood, Saritha Komatireddy and Joe Hernandez are offering something the state has not had in more than 20 years – a real chance at competent, affordable, safe government.”
“The Conservative Party intends to be the difference in November, as it has been in so many races before,” he added.
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