RIP: Former Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long Has passed Away

Former longtime New York Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long has died, the party on Sunday announced.

Long was 82.

His career spanned decades in the conservative movement, and began in 1964 as a volunteer for Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign.

Long's time with the party also saw the election of Sen. James Buckley as well as Al D'Amato.

In 1981, Long himself was elected to the New York City Council.

Long led the party from 1988 to 2019. During that time, the party gained power and influence in an otherwise Democratic-dominated state through the election of Republican George Pataki in 1994.

Governor Pataki ran with the Conservative Party's backing, securing three terms along the way.