There’s still hope for the red parties in New York
COURIER L PS IFE, MAY 31–JUNE 6, 2019 29
Earlier this year, the New
York State Conservative
Party ushered in a new era
when its long-time widely respected
chairman, Brooklynite
Mike Long, retired from his
post. He was replaced by Jerry
Kassar, a political pro who had
served as leader of the Brooklyn
Conservatives.
Now, the state GOP joined
the game of musical chairs in
its leadership.
Erie County Chairman
Nick Langworthy will replace
Ed Cox, a son-in-law to former
President Richard Nixon. Cox
held the position for a decade
but announced last week that
he would not seek re-election
this summer, and would instead
join President Trump’s
re-election team.
Langworthy had been crisscrossing
the Empire State meeting
with Republican chairs,
making the case that it was
time for a change at the top and
appeared to be locking up crucial
support to win before Cox
made his announcement.
Truth be told, I have known
and respected Mr. Cox for many
years as a GOPer who led the
Brooklyn Young Republican
Club and also as a candidate for
State Assembly and City Council
running on the Republican
and Conservative Party lines
in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Chairman Cox was a constant
presence at events supporting
local candidates, like myself.
More importantly, he is a good
man who worked tirelessly to
ensure a GOP role in a deep
blue state.
Now, the question is, can the
new leadership in both of New
York’s right-leaning parties
help reverse the one party domination
that Democrats have in
Albany and New York City.
There are some reasons for
optimism. First, Democrats
may have over-played their
hand by going too far left after
their overwhelming victories
last year, which included taking
over the state Senate.
Whether it’s pushing one
law after another that puts
more priority on protecting
criminals over law abiding
New Yorkers, or literally blocking
good jobs from coming to
our city and state as occurred
with the failed Amazon deal in
Queens, the radical progressive
agenda of many Albany Democrats
could lead to a pendulum
swing to the right among independent
voters.
Other bright spots are here
in New York City, where Mayor
Bill de Blasio has all but abdicated
his responsibilities as
mayor to wander in the corn
fi elds of Iowa, and the City
Council continues its mission
to make us the far-left capital
of the nation by dictating food
choices, banning fur, and taxing
shopping bags.
For too long, it has seemed
that our city GOP, including
the few Republican elected offi
cials, threw in the towel on
being the loyal, vocal opposition
to the Democrats at City
Hall. By not having a vibrant
two-party system, progressive
legislation has been merely
rubber stamped without real
debate.
Thankfully, some local GOP
leaders are stepping up and declaring
enough is enough. For
example, Staten Island City
Councilman Joe Borelli is
about to put his name on the
city map with his campaign for
NYC Public Advocate. Borelli,
a smart and conservative voice,
will offer a strong contrasting
vision to the current offi
ceholder, Jumaane Williams.
Borelli recently made city news
in his call for Mayor de Blasio
to resign, stating, “Chasing
the toughest job in the country
doesn’t leave much time to do
the second toughest.”
Additionally, Assemblywoman
Nicole Malliotakis —
Brooklyn’s only GOP elected
offi cial — stepped up to challenge
de Blasio in 2017 when no
one else would. She was able
to put him on the defensive on
many issues, including the unfairness
of our property tax
system and his refusal to cooperate
with federal offi cials to
deport illegal aliens that have
committed many other crimes.
Today, she continues to be one
of the very few, but vocal voices
taking on the far-left at City
Hall and in Albany.
Finally, a big challenge
and goal for the city and state
GOP is to bring millennials
into the tent. To this end,
since her election as Manhattan
Republican chairwoman
in September 2017, Andrea
Catsimatidis has proved to be
an ideal spokesperson for this
mission. Her passion and common
sense approach to politics
and government has made her
a regular on the cable news
circuit. In addition, about a
year ago she was elected New
York State GOP Regional Vice
Chairwoman representing
New York City.
So, all is not lost for our red
parties here. New Yorkers need
and deserve a real two-party
system, but for this to happen
there must be more vocal leaders
like Borelli, Malliotakis,
and Catsimatidis to inspire a
new generation of Republicans.
Chairmen Langworthy and
Kassar have their work cut out
for them, but there is hope.
Bob Capano has worked for
Brooklyn Republican and Democrat
elected offi cials.
THE RIGHT
VIEW
Bob Capano