The Conservative Party of New York State
The Conservative Party of New York State is a political party in New York State (USA) that was formed during the early 1960's 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). [1]
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.)