Joseph Hernandez Reception Draws Republican Leaders, Community Figures and Supporters in Manhattan
Former Governor George Pataki Joined Ari Kagan, Anna Shpilkovskaya, Jennifer Moore, Nasir Faizi, Stuart Balberg, Liam McCabe, Alberto Villate, Therese Joffre, Robin Mui and Daniel M. Luisi at the Private Gathering
Report : Manzoor Hussain
NEW YORK — A private reception in support of Joseph Hernandez, Republican nominee for New York State Comptroller, was held in Manhattan on Thursday, October 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The gathering brought together Republican officials, candidates, community leaders and supporters.
The reception featured The Honorable George Pataki, former Governor of New York State, as a special guest. The event invitation listed Hon. Ed Cox, NYGOP Chairman; Andrea Catsimatidis, Manhattan GOP Chairwoman; and Robert Morgan III, Manhattan GOP First Vice Chairman among those extending the invitation.
A number of community and political figures also attended the gathering, including Ari Kagan, former New York City Councilman and President of the Community First Republican Club; Anna Shpilkovskaya, candidate for Assembly from Crown Heights; and Jennifer Moore, candidate for U.S. Congress from Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Nasir Faizi, Pakistani American community leader and Board Member of the Community First Republican Club (CFRC), was also among those present. Other attendees included Republican District Leader Stuart Balberg and Liam McCabe, Chairman of the Brooklyn Republican Party.
The gathering also included Alberto Villate of Common Sense Security, Therese Joffre, Robin Mui of Sing Tao Newspaper, and Daniel M. Luisi, Esq.
The event was organized as a private fundraising reception for Hernandez. The invitation listed the contribution at $250 per person, with sponsorship levels of $1,000 for Vice Chair, $5,000 for Co-Chair and $9,000 for Chair.
The exact Manhattan venue address was to be provided to guests upon RSVP. The invitation directed attendees to RSVP to Ore Jacinto at Ore@JWStrat.com and stated that checks could be made payable to Hernandez for New York.
Hernandez was running for New York State Comptroller in the November 3, 2026 general election. On October 1, the same day as the reception, Hernandez and Democratic incumbent Tom DiNapoli also participated in a televised debate on Spectrum News NY1.
The Community First Republican Club, led by Ari Kagan, had previously held meetings bringing together elected officials, candidates and community leaders from Brooklyn’s diverse communities. Nasir Faizi had also participated in the club’s earlier 2026 activities.
The Manhattan reception consequently provided an opportunity for Hernandez’s supporters, Republican figures and community representatives to meet with the candidate and other political leaders as the statewide comptroller campaign entered its final weeks before Election Day.
