S.C.O.P.E. Participation at the NYSFRW 107th Annual Conference & Dinner Gala

On May 4, 2026, representatives from S.C.O.P.E. Inc. attended the New York State Federated Republican Women (NYSFRW) 107th Annual Conference & Dinner Gala in Albany. 

The conference brought together approximately 350 Republican leaders, candidates, conservative organizations, and grassroots supporters from across New York State for a day of networking, discussion, and strategic engagement ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

Representing S.C.O.P.E. at the conference were:

• John Elwood – President
• Bohdan (Bo) Rabarsky – 1st Vice President and Chair of the Oneida-Herkimer Chapter
• Steve Leonard – Director of Marketing and Communications

S.C.O.P.E. Information Table

S.C.O.P.E. manned an information table providing attendees with educational materials, membership resources, and opportunities to discuss Second Amendment topics.

The information table generated good attendee interest and provided an opportunity to increase awareness of S.C.O.P.E.’s organization, ongoing initiatives, and grassroots efforts.  The event also resulted in several new memberships, including a new lifetime member from Brooklyn, NY.

Conversations throughout the day highlighted the importance of increased collaboration between constitutional rights organizations, and the critical need for a strong statewide Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign to mobilize an estimated 1.2 million gun owners who did not participate in the 2022 election.

Engagement with Republican Candidates

During the conference, S.C.O.P.E. representatives had the opportunity to personally meet with several prominent Republican candidates, including:

• Todd Hood — Lieutenant Governor
• Saritha Komatireddy — Attorney General
• Joseph Hernandez — Comptroller

These discussions provided valuable opportunities to share S.C.O.P.E.’s perspectives on Second Amendment issues, lack of voter engagement, and the importance of mobilizing grassroots supporters throughout New York State.  All three candidates expressed strong support for the Second Amendment rights of New Yorkers and thanked S.C.O.P.E. for the work the organization is doing.

Dinner Gala & Keynote Speakers

The conference concluded with an evening Dinner Gala featuring keynote addresses from:

• Bruce Blakeman – New York State Republican Gubernatorial Candidate
• Lara Logan – Award winning investigative journalist

 Bruce Blakeman addressed attendees on several key topics including terminating New York sanctuary state policies, reducing electric bills by 50% by reversing expensive and ineffective green energy mandates, eliminating billions of dollars in spending accommodating illegal immigrants, backing our police and corrections officers, and bringing common-sense policies back to Albany.

 While Blakeman did not specifically address the Second Amendment during his remarks, he clearly outlined his strong support for the Second Amendment during a prior address at the S.C.O.P.E. members meeting on April 18th in Montour Falls, NY

Lara Logan delivered a high-impact address drawing from her extensive journalism and international reporting experience.

Logan is an award-winning investigative journalist.  She was a correspondent for 60 Minutes and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for CBS News, where she reported extensively from conflict zones including Afghanistan and Iraq.  She currently hosts the podcast Going Rogue with Lara Logan, which focuses on investigative reporting, current events, and political commentary. 

Logan issued a sobering warning: the window to save New York from the grip of radical, far-left ideology, and the steady march toward socialism and communism is rapidly closing.  Her message was clear — if New Yorkers fail to rise up, organize, and fight with greater determination for the constitutional principles and freedoms upon which this nation was founded, the battle for New York will soon be lost.

She challenged those in attendance to reject complacency, stand up, mobilize, work even harder, and recognize that the fight for New York is not just political — it is a fight for freedom, and survival of the values that made America exceptional.  More importantly, it is a fight to preserve those freedoms and opportunities for our children and grandchildren, ensuring future generations inherit a state — and a nation — grounded in liberty, personal responsibility, and the enduring principles put forth by America’s founders.

Importance of S.C.O.P.E.’s Participation

Attendance at the NYSFRW Annual Conference provided S.C.O.P.E. with important visibility among Republican leaders and candidates, while also creating valuable networking opportunities. 

By participating in statewide political and advocacy events, S.C.O.P.E. continues to expand relationships, increase organizational awareness, and ensure that Second Amendment issues remain part of broader discussions involving New York’s future leadership and policy direction.

S.C.O.P.E.’s leadership sincerely appreciates the continued support of our members across New York State.  Your time, effort, and dedication play an important role in strengthening our organization, expanding our outreach, and encouraging greater voter awareness and participation.

As we prepare this summer to celebrate 250 years of liberty in America, one thing is clear: history was written by those who showed up.  Our founders stood for liberty in 1776.  Today, 250 years later, it is ours to protect — at the ballot box.  Now it’s our turn.  Show up.  Be counted.  It matters more than ever.

In Liberty,

Steve Leonard
Director of Marketing and Communications
S.C.O.P.E. Inc.