ALBANY — New York’s Conservative Party is set to endorse a candidate for governor at its convention.

The Conservative line has been essential for Republicans running statewide in New York, where Democrats have a nearly 2-to-1 enrollment advantage.

Vying for the Conservative backing will be Republican Rick Lazio, a former congressman; Buffalo developer Carl Paladino, who’s aligned with the tea party movement of disaffected Republicans, conservatives and independent voters; and Steve Levy, a Democrat turned Republican. Levy has won re-election as Suffolk County executive with the backing of the Republican, Conservative, Democratic and left-leaning Working Families parties.

Manhattan real estate executive Myers Mermel recently entered the race.

The party’s convention is in Brooklyn Friday afternoon and evening.