Targeting areas in Manhattan

The two hardest boroughs for the Republican Party to penetrate are the Bronx and Manhattan. For some reason, I feel the chances in the Bronx are better than the central island of this consolidated city, mainly because the outer-boroughs have suburban havens, and suburbs usually breed more conservative-minded individuals.

But this is not to say that Manhattan should be ignored by the GOP. There are over 97,000 registered republicans in New York County and candidates should run for office representing these residents. The New York County Committee is attempting to activate district clubs in all twelve districts and this is certainly a good start to expand the party base and win votes even from voters not registered republican.

Because of redistricting, the State Senate districts are a lot hard for Republicans. For a long time, Roy Goodman (R) held the district along the east side of the island. When he finally retired from his position, a democrat won the seat, the borders were redrawn, and now, it would be extremely difficult to win back the seat, even if a lot of money was put into it.

However, there are three Assembly Districts and three City Council districts that should have candidates for every election cycle. These are districts that have had Republican officials in the past and could be a beginning to return republican ideals to Manhattan.

The 73rd AD is along the East Side of Manhattan and home to the Rockefeller/Lindsay Republican establishment. A true conservative Republican would probably not do well in any of these districts, but a fiscal conservative/social moderate can certainly crack the democratic machine on the island. Using the last three big elections (as I did with my Bronx post), the 73 appears to take a very centrist position for their elected officials.


Pataki '02 - 54.27%
Bush '04 - 29.56%
Bloomberg '05 - 85.15%


Mayor Bloomberg clearly won overwelmingly and surprisingly, George Pataki almost reached 55% in 2002. Bush's numbers were certainly low, but the 73 had the highest percentage for the President out of all 12 ADs.

The 65th AD is along the Upper East Side and a base where many registered Republicans reside. Bloomberg scored over 80% of the vote and Pataki won the district by falling just shy of 50%.

The 64th AD is the third district the Republican Party needs to field a candidate in for every electin cycle. The numbers may tell you that it wouldn't be worth trying, because the average percentage of the three big elections is around 41%.


Pataki '02 - 43.89%
Bush '04 - 21.7%
Bloomberg '05 - 60.1%


It's true that these percentages don't ring a potential for victory, but what could change this impression would be to tell you who holds the seat. Sheldon Silver is the Assemblyman for the 64. The Republican Party could certainly make strides up in Albany by knocking out Silver. You may argue that even if the Assembly Speaker loses his seat, the lower house will still be in control of the Democrats. True. But it won't be in Sheldon Silver's hands. The Democrats will have to select a new Speaker. That could be someone who is more reform minded and someone who comes across as fiscally responsible.

For City Council, the districts for Republicans are 2 CD, 4 CD & 5 CD. All three run along the East Side from Alphabet City up to Yorkville.

All throughout Manhattan, the Republican Party should run candidates, even though their chances of winning are slim. With the County organization making sure an active district club mobilizes party members, this can only increase the base and bring more of a balance to Manhattan politics. Unfortunately, not every district has a club and some that do don't have an active club.

Here are your Manhattan Clubs:

New Amsterdam Republican Club - 64 AD
(This club was once very active holding regular meetings and supporting candidates down in lower Manhattan.
With a change of leadership, it has not held regular meetings for some time.
If you live in the 64 AD and would like to get this club going again, email: contact@nycrepublican.org.)

Knickerbocker Republican club - 65 AD
This club does meet regularly at member's homes, but could use a perminent location.
The problem with locations is they cost money. If you live in the 65, these are the folks to contact first.

West Side Republican Club - 67 AD
There is also a Riverside Republican Club, but the West Side Parker Club is the one that is active.
The West Side Club is one of the few clubs that holds two meetings a month.

The Fighting 69th Republican Club - 69 AD
The 69 recently organized and has taken off with much success. The few bushels of Republicans in the district are pretty active. They now meet regularly.

Harlem Republican Club - 70 AD
The Harlem GOP has been around for some time now and consists of many members who are very active in the district.

Lionel Hampton Republican Club - 71 AD
This club has been around for a while, but has simply not been active on a regular basis.
This year, LHRC has made a commitment to begin organizing and expanding its membership.
Visit their website and shoot them an email to learn more.

The Metropolitan Republican Club - 73 AD
The largest Republian Club in Manhattan at the moment. It also houses the county committee.
The Met Club is usually the place that holds meetings and events on a regular basis. New Yorkers from all throughout the borough come to the Met Club for socials and working with district leaders.

Vince Albano Republican Club - 74 AD
The Albano Club reactivated last October and has held a monthly meeting consistantly since then.
The club covers Gramercy, PCV/ST, East Village and more along the East Side. It is certainly looking for new members and many district residents looking to get involved in the county committee and helping with campaigns.
To reach the Albano Club, contact albanoclub@gmail.com

The Theodore Roosevelt Republican Club - 75 AD
The TR Group started after the 2001 city elections and became a highly active club up through 2005.
This year, it has slowed down a bit, so maybe it's time for some new blood to reenergize its membership.
If you live in 75, know that you have a place to go.


Right now, there are no clubs in the 66 AD, 68 AD and 72 AD. If you happen to live in these districts and are interested in helping the New York County Committee form a club for those residents who are left out, email contact@nycrepublican.org

If in two years, we have active clubs in all twelve ADs and are buzzing with local activism, then who needs my point of focussing in simply 3 districts. We will have enough foot soldiers to get the Republican message out throughout the entire borough.