A flurry of phone calls was placed over the weekend in hopes of pushing former Rep. Joe DioGuardi off the Conservative line to make way for the winner of the primary between the two Republicans placed on the ballot at the convention last week in the race against Democratic US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long confirmed DioGuardi, who landed Row D by receiving close to 70 percent of the weighted vote at his party’s convention two weeks ago, has decided to forge ahead with his plan to petition his way into the GOP primary and has also committed to run on the Conservative line in November regardless of whether he makes it onto Row B.
Long said he spoke to DioGuardi over the weekend and also fielded calls from unnamed GOP leaders hopeful about forging some kind deal that would enable the Conservatives and Republicans to mend their rift.
http://capitaltonight.com/2010/06/gop-consvertive-effort-to-unite-against-gillibrand-fails/