MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting the state Conservative Party has picked Jerry Kassar of Brooklyn as its new chairman. Kassar, the former head of the Brooklyn Conservative Committee, defeated Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph Lori to replace long-time state party chairman Michael Long, who retired after 30 years of service. Long, who is 78, lives in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn. He announced in January his intention to retire, and on Feb. 24, he was elected chairman emeritus. According to nystateofpolitics.com, Kassar has been politically active through the years, having worked for former Gov. George Pataki and on the campaigns of Nicole Malliotakis for mayor of New York and John Faso for comptroller.