Oliva Endorsed by NY Conservative Party

The New York State Conservative Party, the state's third largest political party, has endorsed Phil Oliva to be its standard bearer in the 18th Congressional District race this fall, the Oliva for Congress campaign announced.

The 18th congressional district, which is currently represented by Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney of Cold Spring, includes Putnam and Orange counties as well as the northeast corner of Westchester County and part of Dutchess County.

It is the second official party endorsement that Oliva has received in the past week. On Feb. 29 Oliva earned the official Republican endorsement after winning 73 percent of the vote in a four-county Republican nominating convention in Middletown.

Also seeking that endorsement, in addition to Oliva were Ken Del Vecchio of Middletown, Dan Castricone of Tuxedo; Frank Spampinato of Newburgh; Sakima Brown of Poughkeepsie; and John Lange of Bedford Hills.

After it, Spampinato ended his campaign.

"So we must join together, unite our party, and resolve to take back New York's 18th congressional district from Sean Patrick Maloney," Spampinato said in a press release. "It has been the privilege of my life to run an optimistic campaign focused on growing our economy, defending our constitutional liberties, and securing our future. Now is the time to focus all of our efforts on electing a Republican to represent the Hudson Valley in November."

Former Congresswoman Sue Kelly threw her support to Oliva last month.

In making the endorsement, Conservative Party Chairman Michael R. Long cited Oliva's more than 20 years experience in the private and public sectors, his conservative principles and his history of helping in Conservative Party causes and issues, the Oliva for Congress campaign said.

"The Conservative Party is proud to endorse Phil Oliva for Congress. We also support Phil's stated priorities of rebuilding a strong national defense, securing the border, growing the economy, and defending the U.S. Constitution," said Long in the announcement. "The country is heading in the wrong direction and we can trust Phil Oliva to help get America back on the right track by being a strong and principled leader in Washington and not becoming part of the problem as so many do."

Oliva is a top advisor for Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. He is also the President of Gipper Communications, LLC, a New York-based consulting firm.

He and his wife Jessica live in Somers with their three children.