Today, I stand not only as an advocate for the grassroots of the Conservative Party here in New York City, but also as the voice for those who have long been relegated to the shadows of the Party’s decision-making processes. These are the men and women who hold the key to our political success—those who protect the voting rights of our county chairmen and chairwomen, those who collect petitions for citywide races, and those whose tireless efforts form the bedrock of our Party’s survival in the critical downstate region.
This is not simply a lapse in judgment; it is a dangerous blind spot—one that threatens to undo everything we stand for. This is not about token gestures or superficial inclusion. This is about acknowledging the vital role minorities play—not just within our ranks, but in securing the future of this Party. It is not enough to say we support diversity when it is politically expedient; it must manifest in our actions, our leadership, our conference rooms, and at every level of decision-making.
As Bronx County Committeewoman Zenobia Merced-Bonilla from the 87th Assembly District has rightly pointed out, “The Political Action Conference held by the State Conservative Party is concerning in that diversity seems to be acknowledged only when convenient. This superficial approach to inclusivity undermines genuine efforts to bridge the divides of race, ethnicity, and gender.”
Brooklyn District Leader of the 54th Assembly District, Isaiah Vega echoed these sentiments, saying, “There is no justification for this lack of diversity. The Party fields candidates every year in every corner of the state for a diverse range of offices. To spit in the face of minorities, who represent 45% of the state’s population, is insulting and explains why Democrats continue to win elections.”
I find myself asking: Will the Party awaken? Will it heed the voices of those of us who have put in the work, who have fought for our victories, or will we be forced to show them the consequences of their willful blindness?
The absence of minority voices within this conference is not just a missed opportunity—it is a deliberate statement: the Party has chosen to turn its back on those critical to our future.
It is time for change. The Conservative Party must evolve, and it must do so now—because if we do not, we risk losing the very support that has been the cornerstone of our past successes and, crucially, the foundation for our future.
