By William Lewis
Mike Long has been Conservative Party state chairman for 27 years, guiding the party during that time.
The Conservative Party chose Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina as the keynote speaker for its state dinner. She is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard Corporation.
Long feels that New York’s former governor, George Pataki, will have an uphill fight in his quest to become the Republican presidential candidate, but he pointed out that Pataki was elected governor three times and he defeated an incumbent Mario Cuomo in his first race for governor.
In regard to there being as many as 20 candidates running in the Republican primary, Long believes that some of them will be dropping out before Primary Day. He refers to those candidates who are unable to acquire the necessary finances and cannot build a nationwide campaign organization.
He also believes that with a large number of candidates running, it will help to get the Conservative message out. Long also expects to see a strong Conservative and Republican candidate with considerable finances emerge next year to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Although it is too early to speculate about the mayoral race of 2017, nevertheless with Mayor DeBlasio having as many problems as he has, there may be a chance for a Republican victory.
Long indicated that Hillary Clinton will have to deal with many political problems as she faces the voters, but she will still be a strong candidate.
He does not believe that the charges against former Republican state Senate Leader Dean Skelos will affect other state Senate candidates.
Long said he believes the main issues of the 2016 national campaign will be economic in terms of high taxes, jobs and government spending. He also mentioned that America’s role in the world has suffered from the standpoint that other nations don’t have the confidence in our leadership that they had before. We need a change in our presidential leadership.
Long said it is too early to endorse a particular candidate for president. However the Republican presidential primary will give the electorate many candidates to choose from.
Long indicated America must regain its status in the free world and that the election next year can help to achieve this result.
The New York State Conservative Party has been in existence since the early 1960s. They have supported conservative-minded candidates in both major political parties. They have also run their own candidates such as James Buckley, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1970.
In past years, registered members of other parties have supported Conservative candidates at the polls.
It is generally accepted that the New York State Conservative Party will play a vital role in next year’s elections in New York. Republicans and Democrats who have Conservative Party support will have a better chance of succeeding in the election process.
