Kassar Wins Fifth Term As State Conservative Chair

Gerard Kassar has been unanimously reelected chairman of the New York State Conservative Party, extending a tenure that began more than seven years ago.

The party’s State Committee elected Kassar to a fifth two-year term during its organizational meeting in White Plains, where members also selected a new slate of officers and leadership.

Kassar first took over the state party in February 2019 following the retirement of longtime chairman Michael R. Long, who had held the post since 1988. Kassar, a Brooklyn Conservative Party veteran who previously served as a state party vice chairman, was subsequently elected to full terms in 2020, 2022 and 2024.

“I am honored that the State Committee has asked me to serve again, and I could not be more optimistic about the year ahead,” Kassar said.

Kassar used his reelection remarks to promote the party’s 2026 statewide ticket, led by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, along with Todd Hood, Saritha Komatireddy and Joseph Hernandez.

“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.

The Conservative Party was founded in 1962 and has been led by five state chairmen: Kieran O’Doherty, J. Daniel Mahoney, Serphin Maltese, Long and Kassar.

Also elected were Ralph C. Lorigo as executive vice chairman, Howard Lim as secretary and Matthew J. Beadnell as treasurer, along with state and regional vice chairmen and members of the party’s Executive Committee.