Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lazio Wins Shaky Conservative Party Endorsement; Levy Heats Up
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 21, 2010
Modified Mar 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 21, 2010
Modified Mar 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
"I'm going to be the Conservative and the Republican candidate," said gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio, who yesterday received the endorsement of the state Conservative Party. When asked what he thinks of Long Island executive Steve Levy’s recent announcement that he’ll defect from the Democratic party to vie for the Republican nomination, he said “I am not worried about him,” but there’s reason to think he should be. For Lazio—who’s short on funds and quiet on the issues—the endorsement could give a boost to a campaign without much oomph. Just as easily it could be taken away.
The important vote went 14-5 in favor of Lazio, reports the Times. Some stood firmly behind their man Lazio. "He's a real Republican," Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long said. "I don't know who the real Steve Levy is." Still others voiced strong dissent, claiming the endorsement—without which no candidate has ever won statewide, according to the Post—would be shifted elsewhere. “This means absolutely nothing,” said Bill Newmark, chairman of the Bronx Conservative Party, reminding attendees that party delegates, and not the executive committee, make the final decision. “The executive committee of the party cannot nominate our candidate.”
Though Lazio is the safe candidate, the News thinks that Levy, who’s already laid out a plan of attack, including “capping state spending, capping local taxes, switching state workers to a 401(k)-style pensions and getting rid of laws that make it impossible to negotiate taxpayer-friendly contracts” could trounce both him and the presumed Democratic nominee Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. “Levy's strategy is clear: He aims to be the Scott Brown of New York, a populist crusader who rides throw-out-the-bums anger into the governor's office,” wrote the tabloid in an editorial. “He is campaigning on a manifesto that by Albany standards is absolutely radical.”
Tagged
Albany
Attorney General Andrew CUomo
conservative party
election
endorsement
governor
nomination
race
rick lazio
steve levy
Sabrina Jaszi
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Published Oct 10, 2026 at 1:24 p.m. ET
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con
By
Jessica Gould
What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC
By
Karen Yi
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .