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'''The [[Conservative]] Party of New York State''' is a political party in [[New York]] State (USA) that was formed during the early 1960s in response to the liberal leanings of the state [[Republican Party]] (which was dominated by then Governor [[Nelson Rockefeller]]).  It remains an influential third party in that very [[liberal]] state. Though it keeps its independence from the state Republican Party, it cross endorses the Republican Party for President consistently. In state elections, ever since Nelson Rockefeller left the Governorship, it also has been cross-endorsing Republican candidates for governor (but not always without interparty strife with the Republicans and intra-party strife within the Conservative Party). <ref>http://www.cpnys.org/</ref>

'''The [[Conservative]] Party of New York State''' is a political party in [[New York]] State (USA) that was formed in 1962 in response to the liberal leanings of the state [[Republican Party]] (which was dominated by then Governor [[Nelson Rockefeller]]).  It remains an influential third party in that very [[liberal]] state. Though it keeps its independence from the state Republican Party, it cross endorses the Republican Party for President consistently. In state elections, ever since Nelson Rockefeller left the Governorship, it also has been cross-endorsing Republican candidates for governor (but not always without interparty strife with the Republicans and intra-party strife within the Conservative Party). <ref>http://www.cpnys.org/</ref>

Because of New York State's unique [[fusion voting]], a candidate can be the nominee of more than one political party.  The Conservative Party therefore can either nominate the candidate of the Republican Party (or very rarely, the Democratic Party or another party), or run their own candidate.  This way if the Republican candidate is too liberal, the Conservative Party can deny them their ballot line and run against them, but if the Republican candidate is a conservative, people can vote for them on the Conservative or Republican ballot lines and either way will count toward that candidate's total vote.

Because of New York State's fusion voting, a candidate can be the nominee of more than one political party.  The Conservative Party therefore can either nominate the candidate of the Republican Party (or very rarely, the Democratic Party or another party), or run their own candidate.  This way if the Republican candidate is too liberal, the Conservative Party can deny them their ballot line and run against them, but if the Republican candidate is a conservative, people can vote for them on the Conservative or Republican ballot lines and either way will count toward that candidate's total vote.

[[James L. Buckley]] was elected to the [[United States Senate]] in 1970 running on the Conservative Party ticket (and only the Conservative Party ticket; the Republican nominee was liberal Republican [[Charles Goodell]].)  In a three way race with the Republican and Democrat nominees splitting the liberal vote, Buckley easily won election and served one term from 1971-1977, becoming the last "third party" candidate to ever win election to the U.S. Senate ([[Dean Barkley]] was the most recent "third party" senator but he was appointed to fill a vacant seat, not elected.)

[[James L. Buckley]] was elected to the [[United States Senate]] in 1970 running on the Conservative Party ticket (and only the Conservative Party ticket; the Republican nominee was liberal Republican [[Charles Goodell]].)  In a three way race with the Republican and Democrat nominees splitting the liberal vote, Buckley easily won election and served one term from 1971-1977, becoming the last "third party" candidate to ever win election to the U.S. Senate ([[Dean Barkley]] was the most recent "third party" senator but he was appointed to fill a vacant seat, not elected.)

The '''Conservative Party of New York State''' was founded in 1962 by a small group that included the [[conservative]] Charles Edison, the former governor of [[New Jersey]] and the son of the prolific inventor [[Thomas Edison]].  The party was founded to provide an alternative to the three existing [[liberal]] political parties in New York, which included the [[Rockefeller]]-controlled [[Republican Party]].

The '''Conservative Party of New York State''' was founded in 1962 by a small group that included the [[conservative]] Charles Edison, the former governor of [[New Jersey]] and the son of the prolific inventor [[Thomas Edison]].  The party was founded to provide an alternative to the three existing [[liberal]] political parties in New York, which included the [[Rockefeller]]-controlled [[Republican Party]].

In 1970, the Conservative Party had widespread success, electing James L. Buckley to the U. S. Senate, William Carney to the House of Representatives, Rosemary R. Gunning and Charles Jerabec to the State Assembly, and Serphin R. Maltese to the State Senate.

In 1970, the Conservative Party had widespread success, electing James L. Buckley to the U.S. Senate, William Carney to the House of Representatives, Rosemary R. Gunning and Charles Jerabec to the State Assembly, and Serphin R. Maltese to the State Senate.

In 1994 the Conservative Party provided the margin of victory to Governor George E. Pataki, giving him 326,605 votes cast on the Conservative Party line.  That total grew to 348,272 votes for Governor George E. Pataki on the Conservative Party line in 1998, helping him win again.

In 1994 the Conservative Party provided the margin of victory to Governor George E. Pataki, giving him 326,605 votes cast on the Conservative Party line.  That total grew to 348,272 votes for Governor George E. Pataki on the Conservative Party line in 1998, helping him win again.