Yesterday, the Bronx Conservative Party gathered with urgency, even as the aftereffects of this year’s snowstorm lingered across the city, to endorse its candidate slate for the upcoming election cycle.
The meeting opened with Chairman Patrick McManus presiding over party members, district leaders, and prospective candidates from across the borough. McManus noted that he had another engagement that conflicted with the meeting but emphasized that it was important to ensure candidates had their voices heard and that the party remained coordinated as it launched its 2026 push.
“The point tonight is to officially endorse our own candidates from within the party,” McManus told the members. Larger questions hovered in the background, most notably the news that Michael Henry had exited the New York Attorney General race, a development McManus flagged for discussion at a later date. But for the Bronx delegation, the mission that night was clear: lock in the slate.
McManus then went straight to the headliner.
He called on Gonzalo Duran, Vice Chairman of the Bronx Conservative Party and District Leader for the 79th Assembly District, now running for New York’s 15th Congressional District. The district is unique in that it is the only congressional district entirely within the Bronx, setting up a race against incumbent Ritchie Torres.
Duran arrived with the confidence of someone already battle tested. He recently came off a citywide campaign for Public Advocate, where he was defeated by incumbent Jumaane Williams, but he argued that the race demonstrated something more important than a single result: political reach.
Introducing himself without theatrics, Duran laid out his case plainly.
“I would like to run for Congressional District 15,” he said. “I think the last three years, my elections and my increase in numbers, show that I can handle the workload. I am against socialism. That’s going to be my biggest platform.”
For a room that had come to measure momentum as much as ideology, the message landed. When the floor opened for questions, it was not silence for lack of interest, but the quiet of a room already leaning in one direction. Only one question cut through, from District Leader Zenobia Bonilla, who pressed Duran on how he planned to confront what he described as a growing socialist current in New York politics.
Duran used the moment to reframe the fight as one of infrastructure, party building, visibility, and a borough wide strategy to expand conservative reach.
He pointed to what he described as recent party gains, including increased registration, greater visibility, stronger internal structure, and a more active public presence. He then cited what he believes should serve as the model for 2026: public facing events framed explicitly against socialism, designed to generate attention and political pressure.
McManus underscored the argument by citing Duran’s prior citywide performance, noting that Duran, running as a Conservative Party member, received more votes citywide than other Republican citywide candidates, including the Republican mayoral candidate.
“It does show there’s opportunity for conservatism in New York City,” McManus said, before acknowledging what party insiders already knew. This endorsement was not going to be close.
Before the roll call began, McManus made one procedural point. As chairman, he explained, he normally avoids voting in candidate endorsements, reserving his role for oversight. This time, however, he made an exception.
“Even though I do not normally vote, I sm a yes,” McManus said. “I vigorously support Gonzalo in his bid to run for the 15th Congressional District against Richie Torres.”
One by one, the delegates responded briefly, clearly, and consistently. The result landed like a gavel.
Unanimous.
“Motion carries. Gonzalo Duran officially has the endorsement of the Bronx County Conservative Party,” McManus declared.
With the party’s opening move secured, McManus handed control of the meeting to Duran.
With the chair passed to him, endorsements widened beyond Congress. Candidates stepped forward, each outlining platforms focused less on abstract theory and more on borough level pressure points, including public safety, affordability, city services, and quality of life.
Zenobia Bonilla announced her run for New York State Senate in the 34th District, centering her campaign on animal welfare, mental health, clean and safe streets, and public transportation. She cited sanitation concerns, disorder, and safety conditions throughout the transit system as key motivators.
Her remarks prompted a pointed exchange over the future of Central Park’s horse carriages, an issue where sentiment and policy often collide. When concerns were raised about eliminating a historic tourist attraction, Bonilla clarified that her focus was regulation rather than abolition. She called for stronger accountability in animal treatment and referenced outreach to horse sanctuaries in upstate New York. After questions concluded, the vote followed. She was endorsed.
Gary Lutz spoke next, announcing his run for State Assembly District 78. He emphasized affordable housing, safer streets, and opposition to socialism, along with broader commitments to human rights and animal rights. With no questions raised, the vote followed quickly. He was endorsed.
Denise Smith then declared her candidacy for State Assembly District 81 in the Bronx, grounding her platform in what she described as neglected systems, including senior care and nursing home oversight, public safety, foster care reform, and persistent transit issues. She offered a blunt critique of the OMNY rollout and rider experience.
When asked what she would prioritize in nursing homes, Smith did not hesitate. She pointed to quality of care, stronger oversight, and auditing how funds are allocated and used. She was endorsed.
As the meeting continued, Tyreek Goodman, running for State Assembly District 84, took the floor with a different tone. His remarks leaned less on traditional partisan rhetoric and more on movement building.
Goodman argued that conservatism in the Bronx faces an identity problem, not because the values are absent, but because they have not been clearly explained to people who may already agree with parts of the message.
“A lot of people don’t know what conservatism is, and we need to educate them,” he said. He described the Conservative Party as diverse and emphasized its potential to become a civic resource, not only campaigning, but teaching how laws are made and how communities can push policy outcomes, win or lose.
He introduced a campaign concept titled People Over Politics, framing it as a practical approach to addressing local needs through conservative principles. He also offered to help fellow candidates sharpen their strategies using modern tools, including research and platform development, to better understand opponents and refine messaging.
Asked what he learned from his last campaign, Goodman responded candidly that success requires research, knowledge, and fundraising discipline, even when the politics are principled. The vote followed. He was endorsed.
Later in the meeting, Emmanuel Findley, Jr., running for State Assembly District 79, addressed a challenge many minor parties face. He argued that voters often gravitate toward the side they believe is offering something tangible.
According to Findley, Democrats succeed because they appear to listen to suffering and respond with promises, while Conservatives and Republicans are often framed as simply saying no. His counter proposal was to make public safety the foundation for affordability and investment.
“If New York City is safe, more businesses want to come here. More jobs become available. It becomes easier for people to afford housing,” he said.
Findley also addressed housing policy, calling for a balanced approach that allows responsible rent increases tied to market conditions, creating incentives to maintain and improve apartments rather than allowing disrepair to take hold. He raised concerns about Medicaid fraud and eligibility rules, arguing that current policies place added strain on public systems. He closed by promising a more visible and active campaign this cycle. He was endorsed.
As nominations concluded, Duran noted that Grace Marrero, the party’s recording secretary, was unable to attend the meeting. Marrero, who ran for Bronx Borough President last year, has indicated that she intends to run again but has not yet decided which legislative seat she will seek. Duran added that the party would hold another candidate meeting, noting that scheduling delays were caused by the recent snowstorm.
Duran then outlined the operational timeline. Candidates have until February 24, 2026 to finalize decisions and paperwork. He emphasized that coordination, petitioning, signature gathering, and internal communication must begin early, not late.
The party’s next major checkpoint is a monthly meeting scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., to be led by Smith, focusing on candidate status, funding, and endorsements.
Duran also described his role this year as extending beyond his own campaign. He committed to strengthening the party’s media and field presence through additional community events and stressed the importance of candidates taking fundraising seriously.
Hovering over the entire evening, intentionally left unresolved, was the question McManus raised at the outset: what Michael Henry’s withdrawal means for statewide strategy and how the party will respond. That debate was postponed.
But the message from the meeting was unmistakable. The Bronx Conservative Party has officially launched its 2026 campaign season, and the slate is now moving forward.
Candidates endorsed or recognized during the meeting included:
Gonzalo Duran, Congressional District 15
Zenobia Bonilla, New York State Senate District 34 Gary Lutz, State Assembly District 78
Emmanuel Findley, Jr., State Assembly District 79
Denise Smith, State Assembly District 81
Tyreek Goodman, State Assembly District 84
Grace Marrero, considering a run and expected to decide by February 24, 2026.
