Through a red lens: Kings County Conservative Party holds annual gala; urges attendees to vote early, and vote red

November 8, 2023 Special from Brooklyn Reporter by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

The Kings County Conservative Party’s 61st Annual Reception was held at Sirico’s in Dyker Heights on November 2.
Photos: Wayne Daren Schneiderman

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With election day looming, a who’s who of New York Conservatives sought to convey their ideology to a group of more than 100 last Thursday, November 2, at Sirico’s in Dyker Heights — commemorating the Kings County Conservative Party’s (KCCP) 61st Annual Reception.

“This is designed to be a meet and greet with people that will be running for office this year — city council candidates, as well as other elected officials,” Fran Vella-Marrone, KCCP chairwoman, told the Brooklyn Reporter, adding that the event is important because it’s a celebration of the Conservative Party and their candidates.

“We need to show that our Party is here, and also perhaps most importantly, we need to remind people to go out and vote — vote as early as you can — and don’t wait for Election Day,” Vella-Marrone said.

The reception had no shortage of political powerhouses on hand, as well as Conservative Party members, including Jerry Kassar, chairman, New York State Conservative Party; Staten Island Conservative Party Chairman David Curcio; Richie Barsamian, chairman, Kings County Republican Party; Councilman Ari Kagan; Councilman David Carr; former State Sen. Marty Golden; Vito LaBella, council candidate for District 43; Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein; Councilman Kalman Yeger; and Isaiah Vega-Luna, candidate for District 37.

(From left) Councilman David Carr; Richie Barsamian, chairman, Kings County Republican Party (KCCP); Jerry Kassar, chairman, New York State Conservative Party; Fran Vella-Marrone, chairwoman, KCCP; and former State Sen. Marty Golden.

KCCP Executive Committee member Chung Dick and former State Sen. Serphin Maltese were also honored at the event. Dick was the recipient of the Alice Gaffney Award, and Maltese won the Jim Gay Award.

Kassar, addressing the Conservative crowd, was extremely optimistic looking forward to Nov. 7 and beyond.

“We are going to have a lot of wins around the state this year,” he predicted. “I believe you’re going to have wins in Brooklyn — hopefully a lot of them.”

Asked what his message was to voters, Kagan told the Reporter that “change is definitely coming (for District 47).”

“If you really care about public safety, quality of life, the growing migrant crisis, and the rising cost of living in New York City, then I’m your candidate,” he explained. “If you’re satisfied with the status quo, and you believe that our city and South Brooklyn is moving in the right direction, then my opponent is your guy.”

Vella-Marrone said that KCCP’s ultimate goal is to elect people that believe in true Conservative values — “smaller government, personal and fiscal responsibility, supporting law enforcement, and securing our borders — that’s really what were about.”

“We support candidates that support those issues, and are going to promote them in whatever position they get elected to,” she added.