Bronx County Conservative Party | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Patrick McManus (Chairman) |
| Chairperson | Gonzalo Duran (Vice Chairman) |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Headquarters | Bronx, New York |
| Ideology | Conservatism |
| National affiliation | Conservative Party of New York State |
| Colors | Orange, Blue |
The Bronx County Conservative Party, commonly referred to as the Bronx Conservative Party, is the official borough affiliate of the New York State Conservative Party representing the borough of the Bronx in New York City, New York. [1] Established in 1962, the party has historically operated as a minor political organization within the predominantly Democratic borough, endorsing candidates and occasionally fielding its own nominees for local, state, and federal offices. [2]
The Bronx Conservative Party became active in 1962, shortly after the founding of the New York State Conservative Party in 1962. [3] It was established by conservatives dissatisfied with the influence of the Liberal Party on both the Democratic and Republican parties in New York State. [4]
The Bronx Conservative Party maintains a small executive committee, including a chairman, vice chairman, recording secretary, and district leaders corresponding to each New York State Assembly seat. [5]
As of 2023, Patrick McManus serves as Chairman and Gonzalo Duran as Vice Chairman. [6] [7]
The Bronx Conservative Party became active in 1962, shortly after the founding of the New York State Conservative Party in 1962. [8] It was established by conservatives dissatisfied with the influence of the Liberal Party on both the Democratic and Republican parties in New York State. [4]
Through the 1970s–1990s, the Bronx Conservative Party played a minor but visible role in borough politics, at times endorsing candidates who were rejected by major parties [9] . The party’s electoral presence was intermittent, with limited ballot access and occasional cross-endorsements. [10]
By the 2000s and 2010s, activity slowed considerably. [11] While the party occasionally endorsed congressional challengers or local candidates, membership and public visibility declined. [12] This period of reduced operations set the stage for the organization’s revival in 2023. [5]
In the 2010 New York State Senate elections, the Bronx Conservative Party nominated Raphael M. Klapper, an ophthalmologist from Riverdale, as its candidate in the 31st District. Klapper, however, had died months earlier of pancreatic cancer. Despite his death, the petition process advanced, and his name remained on the ballot.
Klapper received 828 votes—about two percent of the total—without campaigning. Adriano Espaillat, the Democratic candidate, ultimately won the seat with nearly 40,000 votes. The episode drew scrutiny from the Board of Elections and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, with questions raised about how the signatures had been gathered and why the nomination was allowed to proceed. Conservative Party officials later described the incident as a “fluke,” while Klapper’s family expressed frustration that he had been listed as a candidate without his knowledge or consent. [13]
Following a period of minimal activity before 2023. [14] [15] [16] The Bronx Conservative Party experienced renewed momentum during the 2023 election cycle. [17] [18] [19] This is characterized by an increase in candidate submissions and heightened community engagement. [20] [21] [22]
For the 2024 election cycle, the party successfully submitted candidates for 21 legislative positions, securing 18 nominations. [23] [24] [25]
In 2025, the party endorsed 13 candidates for the Bronx and citywide legislative seats and organized community events to promote its platform. [26] [27]
In the 2024 presidential election cycle, the Bronx Conservative Party endorsed Donald J. Trump. [28] When Trump held a rally in Crotona Park, none of the Bronx Republican or Conservative candidates were invited to speak or mentioned on stage. [29] Despite this, the Bronx Conservative Party publicly welcomed Trump’s visit and later credited his appearances with energizing local enrollment and visibility. [30] [31]
International media have also sought the party’s perspective on Trump’s policies in New York City. For example, Italian outlet La7 requested comments from the Bronx Conservative Party, with Vice Chairman Gonzalo Duran serving as spokesperson. [32]
In the 2023 New York City Council election for the 17th District, Gonzalo Duran, the Conservative Party's nominee, faced incumbent Democrat Rafael Salamanca. [33]
During the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New York, Gonzalo Duran, endorsed by both the Bronx Conservative Party and Bronx GOP, ran for New York's 15th Congressional District against incumbent Democrat Ritchie Torres. [34]
On November 25, 2024, Gonzalo Duran announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City during a Bronx Conservative Party meeting. [35] However, Duran officially withdrew from the mayoral race and declared his candidacy for New York City Public Advocate, against Jumaane Williams. [36]
Following his announcement, Duran received endorsements from the Conservative Party and the Republican Party of New York. [37] He also secured ballot access through an independent line known as the United Alliance Party. [38] In addition to institutional support, Duran garnered endorsements from notable organizations, including the New York Young Republican Club, as well as from several individual Democratic officials. [39] [40]
As of 2024, the Bronx Conservative Party has no elected officials in the New York State Senate, New York House of Representatives, or statewide executive offices. However, Kristy Marmorato, endorsed by both the Bronx Conservative and Republican Parties, won the New York City Council 13th District seat in 2023. [41]