As Rick Lazio hopes to turn his campaign frown upside down with a boost in the form of Conservative Party executive committee support today, there are some clear dissenting voices in advance of the expected vote.

“You need a candidate running for governor who can stand up to Andrew Cuomo,” Bronx Conservative chairman Bill Newmark told reporters on his way into the Bay Ridge headquarters.

He added that Steve Levy, who he supported, has the “potential” to be a very strong candidate and draw distinctions with Cuomo.

“Republcans only win when they polarize…not by race….but by issues,” he said.

“There’s no enthusiasm (for Lazio) at all,” he added. “Nobody wants to get out to work for him. The state senate will remain gone if Lazio’s at the top of the ticket.”

He noted that Levy lives in Democratic state Sen. Brian Foley’s district, and said having the Suffolk County Executive at the top of the ticket would boost GOP numbers to the point where they could claim that seat.