Posted on 05/28/2004 10:51:45 AM PDT by NYer
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Republican Howard Mills, Gov. George Pataki's choice to challenge the re-election bid of Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, said Friday he is giving up his fight to win win the Conservative Party ballot line. No Republican running for statewide office in New York has won without Conservative Party backing since U.S. Sen. Jacob Javits in 1974.
State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long has said Mills, the deputy minority leader of the state Assembly, is unacceptable as a Senate candidate because of his support for abortion rights and civil unions for homosexuals.
Long has instead endorsed Dr. Marilyn O'Grady, a Long Island ophthalmologist, for the Senate race.
While Mills had a scattering of support among Conservative Party leaders across the state, and had talked about possibly seeking a Conservative Party primary, the vast majority of the party leadership was behind the more conservative O'Grady. Mills' announcement came as no real surprise given that Republicans can't run in a Conservative Party primary without permission from Long and other party leaders. O'Grady, like Mills, is an enrolled Republican.
In a letter to Conservative Party leaders announcing his decision, Mills noted he has run with Conservative Party backing for his Assembly seat. ``Even with our many areas of agreement, it's clear the party leadership has chosen to go in a different direction,'' Mills wrote. ``I do not wish to be discordant _ I have too much respect for the New York state Conservative Party.'' ``He did the right thing,'' Long said. O'Grady is expected to be made the official Senate designee of the Conservative Party's leadership at a state committee meeting June 5 in Albany.
Schumer is far ahead in independent polls and has raised more than $20 million for the race, more than any other election bound senator.
AP-ES-05-28-04 1343EDT
A party that still tows the line! Good for Michael Long.
The chances of beating Schumer were probably slim to none even with a joint GOP/Conservative Party candidate.
Yeah, great. Now Schumer will win for certain. Let's break out the confetti right now!
Exactly. Geez........
A party that never wins and therefore has ZERO influence!! HOORAY!!!!
It will be interesting to see what the Conservative Party does in 2006 if Rudy Giuliani runs against Hillary for the Senate. In 2000, the CP did not endorse Rudy because he wouldn't even support the partial-birth abortion ban, although the party endorsed Lazio (who is pro-abortion but supported the PBA ban) when Rudy dropped out. While the CP should not endorse someone who does not stand for the party's principles, it also shouldn't run a candidate who will take votes away from Rudy and indirectly aid Hillary's reelection.
Clemenza, any thought on the Conservative Party and a possible 2006 Rudy-Hillary Senate race?
Murdering unborn babies and supporting a homosexual agenda are hardly inconsequential issues..
Its refershing to see a political party and leader who still stand on principles.
We elected James Buckley as as US senator...so there...
Yep. We got that going for us.....
Well, Republican voters have the choice of voting for the Conservative Party candidate.
Instead of making ignorant comments, you ought to read about the CP's history. They actually sent a Senator to Washington.
The conservative party seems to be more divisive than helpful. How many of their candidates have won a statewide election without having the support of the GOP?
Seems they have more power in their own minds, than they have in reality (same as independent, green, and liberal parties).
Oh, puh-leeze. He was a shoe-in regardless. You'd have a better chance of defeating Kim Jong-Il.
The only ignorant comment is trying to make something out of nothing.
But go right ahead.
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