Remember that in 1972 NY actually elected a Conservative Party candidate, Jim Buckley, to the Senate...all is possible..
New York is one of the only states (if not THE only state) with a Conservative Party that is strong enough to garner ballot spots on a regular basis across the state. You would know this better than I do, but I think it has something to do with New York State’s election laws and the process required to get on these ballots.
It was 1970 in NY, not 1972 when Buckley won.