In 1962, lawyers Kieran O’Doherty and J. Daniel Mahoney helped form the Conservative Party of New York, aiming to take action against what they saw as a city and state gone seriously wrong. New York has a long history of conservative activism, but in the 1960s, this tradition merged with new fears and discontents stemming from changes in the city, nation, and world.

Many white working- and middle-class New Yorkers expressed frustration over the city’s changing demographics, rising crime rates, and growing counterculture. After decades of the expansion of the role of government by Democrats and Republicans, conservatives mobilized against school busing, the creation of low-income housing, and higher taxes to pay for social programs. Conservatives also accused the city’s liberal establishment of being soft on communism and protesters of the war in Vietnam.

In the 1970s, liberals and conservatives fought “culture wars” over issues such as gay rights, abortion, the role of religion in public life, and affirmative action. Urban crime and government spending also spurred conservatives into action. They made their voices heard in rallies, boycotts, the press, and in local and national elections. 

In 1980, 38% of New York City residents voted for Ronald Reagan, indicating the continued presence of a vocal conservative minority. The Conservative Party of New York remains active and organized in the city. New York conservatives have helped elect several Republican mayors, and the city is home to conservative institutions such as National Review magazine and the influential Manhattan Institute.