A new twist: Brooklyn Conservatives honor a ‘common sense Democrat’
From left: New York Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar, KCCP Chair Fran Vella-Marrone, Donald Cranston, Kristen Cranston and Donald Cranston III. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
BERGEN BEACH — The Kings County Conservative Party held its annual brunch on Sunday afternoon at the Hudson River Yacht Club, one of the oldest boat clubs in Brooklyn, founded in 1873.
Donald Cranston received the Ronald Reagan Americanism Award, an honor reserved for someone who volunteers their time and is active in their community, according to KCCP Chair Fran Vella-Marrone.
From left: New York Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar, Assemblymember Kalman Yeger, D-41, KCCP Chair Fran Vella-Marrone and Donald Cranston. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Cranston, a Brooklyn-based community figure and political activist involved in local civic and party activities in southern Brooklyn, describes his political affiliation as Democratic.
“I am a Democrat, but a 1982 common sense Democrat,” Cranston told the Brooklyn Eagle. “These days, the Democratic Party is unrecognizable because you’ve got factions that basically took over the party. Common sense is really few and far between.”
According to a recent report from the New York State Board of Elections, approximately 10% to 11% of registered voters in Brooklyn are Republican. Bay Ridge is traditionally one of the strongest GOP areas in Kings County, with some areas approaching or exceeding 30%. Dyker Heights similarly has a strong conservative base, and Bensonhurst trended more Republican in recent years as well, with some areas in the 20% to 30% range.
From left: Tatiana Ishutina, Maria Tetiakov, Elena Genevieve, Ella Gorodnitskaya, Fran Vella-Marrone, Michael Connors, Esq., and Donald Cranston. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Overwhelmingly Democratic areas in Kings County include Park Slope, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights.
Vella-Marrone said that Cranston is a Democrat who stands for the principles and values the KCCP believes in.
“At the end of the day, it’s not the political affiliation before your name,” Vella-Marrone said. “It’s about your values, and that’s what the Conservative Party looks for. It’s important to support people like Donald Cranston — the kind of Democrat we want to be active in our society in order for us to move forward.”
Donald Cranston, left, alongside Hon. Brian Gotlieb. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Jerry Kassar, chair of the New York State Conservative Party, described Cranston as honorable, true to his word and someone he trusted greatly.
“I’ve known Donald for decades,” Kassar said. “I’ve known him as a community leader, a businessman and as a lobbyist. He truly deserves his honor, and I’m very happy to be here supporting him.”
Fran Vella-Marrone, chair of the Kings County Conservative Party. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Background
Cranston previously worked in constituent services for former state Sen. Marty Golden and comes from a large law enforcement and military family, with his father and many of his brothers serving in corrections departments, unions and as police officers.
Golden referred to Cranston as a mover and a shaker. “He was able to get to the right people and get things done in the communities he served,” he said.
Republican candidate for governor Bruce Blakeman addresses the audience. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
Cranston was also a candidate for the New York City Council’s 46th District in 2021. His campaign focused on public safety, education and quality of life. Currently, he serves as a community liaison to Assemblymember Jaime Williams.
Cranston said he felt honored and humbled to receive the Ronald Reagan Americanism Award. “My father, Donald Cranston Sr., was a big proponent of the Conservative Party in the 1980s,” he said. “I accept this on his behalf because his values are why I have my values.”
KCCP Chair Fran Vella-Marrone presents Donald Cranston with the Ronald Reagan Americanism Award. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
The KCCP, founded in 1962, has played a significant role in New York politics, with notable figures such as Kassar and Vella-Marrone serving as chairs and contributing to the party’s growth and influence. The organization has a rich history of advocating for conservative values and supporting local and state political candidates.
From left: Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny, D-46, New York Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar, Tamara D’Angelo, former State Sen. Marty Golden and KCCP Chair Fran Vella-Marrone. Photo: Arthur De Gaeta/Brooklyn Eagle
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