The head of the State Conservative Party came to the Island Wednesday to endorse Republican Joan Illuzzi in the race for Staten Island District Attorney.
Illuzzi won a primary for the Conservative Line even though local party leaders backed Democrat Mike McMahon.
State Chairman Mike Long says Illuzzi is the true conservative in the race. He says while the voters have spoken, party leaders had the right to endorse whoever they wanted to.
"They're an organized county they have the final say but when regular conservatives rise up to overturn that decision, now I have an obligation to follow and lead the people who voted for Joan Illuzzi,"Long said.
Illuzzi and McMahon will face off in the race's only live televised debate Tuesday at 7 p.m. on NY1.