Merrell sued to invalidate this takeover, alleging a violation of national guidelines and trademark infringement, but lost due to technical grounds.

[11] The party executive committee deadlocked between Giambra and presumptive Republican nominee Marc Molinaro in April.

At the party convention on May 19, the party nominated Molinaro and running mate Julie Killian as the gubernatorial ticket, incumbent Democrat Thomas DiNapoli for Comptroller, and offered former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara the attorney general nomination, which he did not accept; Sliwa's wife Nancy, running on a single-issue animal rights platform, then defeated two challengers (Mike Diederich and Libertarian nominee Christopher Garvey) in an open primary to secure the attorney general nomination.

[12] Sliwa rejoined the Republican Party as part of his campaign in the 2021 New York City mayoral election.

Bill Merrell took control of the New York State Reform Party over after Sliwas poor showing in the 2018 elections.

[13] As of February 2019, approximately 400 persons were still registered as members of the "Reform Party" with the New York State Board of Elections.