“We had significant wins in parts of the state like Long Island; and we made a small, but real gain with a win in the Bronx (ending a 40-year hiatus, Kristy Marmorato defeated the Democratic incumbent, Marjorie Velázquez); but we also had certain places around the state where things did not go as well as I would have liked,” Kassar said. 

“Looking toward 2024, statewide I think we will come out very nice; I do expect Biden to lose and expect Trump to be the president — or at least, I think it will be a Republican president. The Brooklyn Conservative Party made substantial gains two years ago in assembly seats, but for 2024, I think they will hold everything they have.”

U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Southern Brooklyn-Staten Island) pointed out that in general, for Republicans and Conservatives it was a good year, as they were able to add new members to the state legislature in January.

“We also won a seat in the Bronx — in the heart of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s district — so it’s showing that more and more people want Conservative and Republican representation,” Malliotakis explained. 

In 2024, she said, she is hoping to see either Republicans take the Senate or take the White House “so we can have more ability to secure the borders and see a lot of our priorities actually become law.”

Malliotakis added that people are realizing Democratic policies have led to increasing crime, the migrant situation, property taxes and increasing energy costs. They are also realizing, she said, “that Republicans are right on most issues, and so the voters are starting to change their tune.”

According to Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, (R-Manhattan Beach-Brighton Beach-Sheepshead Bay, Homecrest), 2023 was a pretty difficult year. 

“I’ve been fighting really hard for Conservative and Republican values. And while we’ve had some losses, we’ve had some wins as well,” Vernikov said, noting that her “Common Sense Caucus,” includes what she calls “common sense Democrats,” and has increased in size this year. 

The Common Sense Caucus was founded by Queens Councilmember Robert Holden, a moderate Democrat, alongside Councilmembers Joe Borelli of Staten Island and Kalman Yeger of Brooklyn. It aims to provide a counterbalance to the Council’s progressive caucus.

“Next year, you’ll see a lot of Democrats voting Republican,” Vernikov said. “I’m feeling really good about 2024, and I like what I’m seeing in terms of how we are growing the ‘common sense’ point of view.”  

For newly-installed Kings County Republican Party Chairman Richie Barsamian, 2023 was a very good year indeed.

“It’s been quite satisfying for me personally and politically,” Barsamian said, adding that as a Brooklynite and a New Yorker, he wants to do everything possible with all the members of the Brooklyn Republican Party to bring to office responsible individuals who will do what is right for all New Yorkers. 

“In 2023, we’ve had victories, and we’ve had some difficult losses,” he pointed out. “Councilman Ari Kagan did not make it in the match vs. Councilman Justin Brannan. But we are very happy, however, that Inna [Vernikov] was returned resoundingly with great success to office.”

For 2024, public safety is a big issue for Barsamian. He added, “We need to increase the headcount of the NYPD.

Fran Vella-Marrone, chair of the Kings County Conservative Party, foresees 2024 as a pivotal year, with congressional, state legislative and presidential races occurring.

“More people will be coming out to vote,” she said. “People are fed up with what’s going on — the economy, crime, and the loss of hope — and they will continue to move forward looking for Conservative-oriented candidates that have common sense.”   

Isaiah Orlando-Vega, former candidate for NYC Council in the 37th C.D., noted that he believes lots of people are frustrated with the current state of politics.

“I just think we have to work harder to get people to vote,” Orlando-Vega said. “In my district (Cypress Hills and Bushwick), only about 5% of the electorate turned out.”