Conservative Party (United States) Explained

The Conservative Party in the United States refers to various state parties that have no connection with one another and that support conservatism in the United States.

Multi-State/National level

There never has been an active national political party in the United States that used the name "Conservative."^[1]

The Conservative Party USA (organized January 6, 2009) is a 527 organization at present.^[2] However, it is organized to build and administer state political party affiliates of the national Conservative Party USA, (15 affiliates - 2021) after which it will obtain ballot access to operate as a national political party. Conservative Party USA is a United States service mark.

The American Conservative Party was formed in 2008 and then decommissioned in 2016. It does not claim any members who ran for or held political office.^[3]

Although not called a "Conservative Party", the Republican Party follows the conservative ideology. The Constitution Party and American Independent Party follows the Paleoconservatism ideology.

State level

Connecticut

In the late 1830s and early 1840s, state-level candidates were put forward on a Conservative Party line, although they were not successful.^{[4] [5]} Some of these candidates, such as Elisha Phelps, had previously been associated with the National Republican Party.

Illinois

A conservative party in Illinois was established in 2018, largely to support State Senator Sam McCann's run for governor.^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

New Jersey

Voters in New Jersey may choose to register in the New Jersey Conservative Party (CP-NJ).^[10] As of February 2019, there are 10,610 registered members.^[11]

New York

The Conservative Party of New York State, founded in 1962.^[12] New York state's party has elected two men to the United States Congress:

• James L. Buckley, senator in the 94th Congress (1971–77), who caucused with the Republicans;
• William Carney, representative in the 96th, 97th, 98th, and 99th congresses (1979–87), who also caucused with the Republicans.

Virginia

• Conservative Party (Virginia, 1834)
• Conservative Party (Virginia, 1867)
• Conservative Party of Virginia (1965-1969).

Washington

See Conservative Party of Washington

Reconstruction-Era South

In the Reconstruction era after the Civil War, former Whigs in several Southern states formed parties with the "Conservative" or "Democratic-Conservative" name. Eventually they all merged into the Democratic Party,^{[13] [14]} among them:

• Conservative Party (South Carolina)
• Conservative Party (Virginia, 1867) Two representatives elected to the 40th Congress on the Conservative Party ticket.

See also

• Conservative Party (disambiguation)
• Republican Party
• National Conservative Political Action Committee
• American Conservative Union

Notes and References

1. Book: Mark J. Rozell. Ted G. Jelen. American Political Culture: An Encyclopedia vol 3. 2015. ABC-CLIO. 978-1-61069-378-3. 207–9.
2. Web site: Home. February 2, 2012. April 12, 2019. Entities organized under section 527 of the tax code are considered “political organizations,” defined generally as a party, committee or association that is organized and operated primarily for the purpose of influencing the selection, nomination or appointment of any individual to any federal, state or local public office, or office in a political organization. All political committees that register and file reports with the FEC are 527 organizations, but not all 527 organizations are required to file with the FEC. Some file reports with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)..
3. Web site: ABOUT. April 12, 2019.
4. Web site: Our Campaigns . 2020-09-17.
5. Web site: Our Campaigns . 2020-09-17.
6. Web site: McCann launches Conservative Party bid for Illinois governor. April 19, 2018. Herald-Whig. April 12, 2019.
7. Web site: Republican McCann gets in the governor race as third-party candidate, possibly complicating Rauner's re-election bid. Rick Pearson, Monique. Garcia. chicagotribune.com. April 12, 2019.
8. Web site: Conservative Party of Illinois. Illinois Campaign for Political. Reform. Illinois Sunshine. April 12, 2019.
9. Web site: Conservative party nominee for Illinois governor: Sam McCann. April 12, 2019.
10. Web site: New Jersey Conservative Party. April 12, 2019.
11. Web site: Statewide Voter Registration Summary. February 28, 2019. New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections. April 12, 2019.
12. Web site: History. Conservative Party of New York. April 12, 2019.
13. Book: Michael Perman. The Road to Redemption: Southern Politics, 1869-1879. 2004. U of North Carolina Press. 151–53.
14. Book: Sheldon Hackney. Magnolias Without Moonlight: The American South From Regional Confederacy To National Integration. registration. Transaction. 2005 . 30.