Michael R. Long (February 1, 1940 – July 24, 2022)[1] was an American politician from the state of New York. He served as chairman of the Conservative Party of New York State from December 1988 to January 2019. Previously, Long represented the Borough of Brooklyn at-large on the New York City Council from 1981 to 1983.
Michael R. Long | |
|---|---|
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| Chairman of the New York Conservative Party | |
| In office 1988–2019 | |
| Preceded by | Serphin Maltese |
| Succeeded by | Gerard Kassar |
| At-large Member of the New York City Council from Brooklyn | |
| In office 1981–1983 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent A. Riccio |
| Succeeded by | District eliminated |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1, 1940 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 24, 2022 (aged 82) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Eileen Dougherty (m. 1963) |
| Children | 9 |
Early life edit
The son of Myra and Michael Long, Long was born in Brooklyn[2] and raised in southern Queens. He attended Richmond Hill High School, dropping out of the 12th grade in 1959 to join the United States Marine Corps. Long served in the Marine Corps until being honorably discharged in 1961.[2][3]
Career in politics edit
Long represented the Borough of Brooklyn at-large on the New York City Council from 1981 to 1983.[4][5] Long unsuccessfully[6] challenged sitting New York City Councilman Sal Albanese in 1985 in the 31st District (Bay Ridge); the seat was previously held by Republican Angelo J. Arculeo.[7][8]
Long became Chairman of the Conservative Party of New York State in 1988.[3][9]
Long was mentioned in the book Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning, which documents the 1977 New York City mayoral election; the first edition of the book accused then-mayoral candidate (and future Governor of New York) Mario Cuomo of "cold-cocking" Long; Long stated that the incident was embellished, and later editions of the book corrected the record.[10]
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In 1999, Long stated that if he compromised on the issue of late-term abortion (which the Party wishes to ban), he would not be able "'to go to sleep at night or look in the mirror.'"[3] A vocal and active opponent of same-sex marriage in New York State, Long declared in May 2011 that no candidate who supported gay marriage would be allowed to run on the Conservative Party's line during elections.[11]
Long announced his retirement from the chairmanship of the Conservative Party on January 28, 2019.[12]
In February 2019, Long inaccurately claimed that under New York's newly passed Reproductive Health Act, "If the baby was born alive, they would just let the baby expire."[13]
Personal life edit
In 1963, Long married the former Eileen Dougherty, and they had nine children.[2] Long was a Roman Catholic.[14] Long's house in Breezy Point, Queens, burned down during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.[15]
Long was the former owner of Long's Wines and Liquors in Brooklyn.[14] His brother, Thomas Long, has served as chairman of the Queens County chapter of the Conservative Party.[16]
Long died from kidney failure at his home in Queens on July 24, 2022, aged 82.[17]
References edit
- ^ "Chairman Gerard Kassar and the Officers & Members of the NYS Conservative Party Are Mourning the Loss of their Longtime State Chairman, Michael R. Long". CPNYS. July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Michael R. Long". SmithtownConservatives.org. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c Perez-Pena, Richard (December 13, 1999). "Despite Size, Conservative Party Is a Force to Reckon With". The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- ^ Alex, John; September 5, er • (September 5, 2019). "Civic leader Mike Long talks about his distinguished career in public service". The Brooklyn Home Reporter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Our Campaigns – Candidate – Michael R. Long". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "The '85 Elections; Election Results in Voting Tuesday in City and on Long Island; Vote Totals for the Elections Held in New York and New Jersey". The New York Times. November 7, 1985.
- ^ "Our Campaigns – New York City Council – Brooklyn At-Large Appointment Race – Jun 12, 1981". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Our Campaigns – New York City Council 31 Race – Nov 05, 1985". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ Hamilton, Colby (October 15, 2010). "In the Age of the Tea Party, Who Are the New York Conservatives?". WNYC.
- ^ Pillfant, Reid. "Mike Long makes nice with Andrew Cuomo". New York Observer. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ Confessore, Nicholas (May 19, 2011). "Conservative Party is Obstacle to Gay Marriage". The New York Times. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ Long, Michael (January 2019). "Open letter to the Conservative Party)" (PDF). Retrieved January 28, 2019.
- ^ "Abortion critics wrong on effect of NY law". @politifact. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ^ a b "Long wins new term as Conservative Party chairman". Brooklyn Eagle. September 27, 2016.
- ^ Barron, James (October 31, 2012). "In Storm's Wake, Rescues, Looting, and a Rising Death Toll". The New York Times.
- ^ Freedlander, David (July 6, 2011). "Conservative Party gives Bob Turner nod for Weiner's old seat". New York Observer. Archived from the original on July 29, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
- ^ Roberts, Sam (July 25, 2022). "Michael R. Long, N.Y. Conservative Party Stalwart, Dies at 82". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.