The Nassau County GOP was selected to host the New York Republican Party’s statewide nominating convention at the Garden City Hotel from Feb. 28 to March 1.
The announcement was made on Friday by Nick Langworthy, chairman of the state’s Republican Party. He touted the work of Nassau GOP Chairman Joseph Cairo Jr. in getting Republicans elected on a county and town level in November.
“I’m thrilled that Chairman Cairo has agreed to host us,” Langworthy said in a statement. “He is the ultimate strategist who is a key part of our team helping to lead our candidates to victory. This convention will put a huge spotlight on how we plan to replicate Nassau’s victories statewide.”
“We enjoyed some great victories in 2021, sweeping the countywide elective offices, increasing our majority in the Nassau Legislature, taking back townwide offices and council seats in North Hempstead, dominating in the towns of Oyster Bay and Hempstead, as well as winning convincingly in the city of Glen Cove,” Cairo said. “I think that Long Island is a great place to host the state convention.”
In November, Republican Bruce Blakeman defeated Democratic incumbent Laura Curran in the race for Nassau County executive by more than 2,000 votes. Blakeman tallied 142,626 votes and Curran received 140,476.
In the race for North Hempstead supervisor, Jennifer DeSena, a Democrat who ran on the Republican line, defeated Town Clerk Wayne Wink, a Democrat, by less than 1,000 votes. Republican Ragini Srivastava defeated Viviana Russell, a Democratic member of the Town Board, in the race for town clerk, and Republican candidates David Adhami and Dennis Walsh were also elected to the Town Board after defeating Democrats.
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, a Republican, won re-election in a contest against Democrat Jason Abelove. Clavin had 93,550 votes to Abelove’s 49,095.
The Republican Party also picked up an additional seat in the Nassau County Legislature, with challenger Mazi Melesa Pilip defeating 10th District incumbent Ellen Birnbaum, a Democrat.
“There is no better place to host our convention than Nassau County,” Langworthy said. “They sent shockwaves around the state last November with their tremendous Republican victories and their historic success is proof that our Republican message is resonating with a broad swath of voters.”
Langworthy said the party will also announce candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and the U.S. Senate. Langworthy said he believes the ticket will be the party’s strongest one since 1994, headlined by Republican George Pataki defeating Democratic incumbent Mario Cuomo for governor.
“There is incredible energy and enthusiasm for this year’s convention, where we will officially kick off the 2022 election cycle and our mission to save New York state,” Langworthy said. “Everything we have been working toward has been to build the strongest ticket since 1994 that will restore opportunity, safety and common sense to our state. Voters are ready for change and we are going to offer them the solutions that will appeal to New Yorkers from every walk of life and political affiliation.”
