Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio has won the endorsement of New York’s Conservative Party.
It’s a boost for Lazio, a former Long Island congressman seeking the GOP nomination for governor. Most successful statewide Republican candidates also run with the Conservative Party backing.
At their meeting Friday, Conservatives didn’t nominate any of the other three candidates seeking the Republican nomination. They are Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino, Manhattan real estate executive Myers Mermel and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.
Lazio had been endorsed by Mike Long, the influential Conservative Party leader.
Conservatives also nominated Buffalo attorney Ralph Lorigo, who drew just 35 percent of the vote.
Democrat Andrew Cuomo leads all polls in the race for governor.