NY Conservatives consider giving GOP’s Paladino key line against Democrat Cuomo in gov. race

NY Conservatives consider giving Paladino key line

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York state Conservative Party will meet to consider nominating Republican firebrand Carl Paladino to run for governor on its ballot line, which has been crucial for Republicans running for statewide office.

The Conservative line is open because Rick Lazio, who lost the Republican primary to Paladino, relinquished the Conservative line Monday.

To get the line, Paladino will have to be welcomed by Republican state Chairman Ed Cox and Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long, who spent months backing Lazio for the primary.

Conservative Party leaders will meet Wednesday afternoon.

Paladino plans to speak at the annual state Business Council meeting Wednesday night in the Adirondacks.

The council said Democrat Andrew Cuomo has been invited but hasn’t committed to attending.