For Skelos seat, it’s McGrath v. Kaminsky

Hewlett Harbor resident and Inwood native Christopher McGrath has been chosen by the Nassau County Republican Committee to run against Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) for the vacant 9th District state Senate seat left open after the corruption conviction of Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Republican from Rockville Centre.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday set the special election for April 19, the day of New York State’s presidential primary.

“He’s a great man who has been very successful and done a terrific job in the local community,” said Nassau GOP Michael Watt.

McGrath, 57, said he is “running because I believe there should be a two-party system. If the Republicans lose control of the state Senate, Long Island will get less state aid and there will be an increase in taxes.”

A lawyer for 33 years, McGrath was president of the Nassau County Bar Association. “I have not held political office, but I will do what should be done as opposed to what everyone else wants to be done,” he said.

He will be running against Kaminsky, a former federal prosecutor who defeated Republican Avi Fertig, a Woodmere resident, in 2014 to succeed longtime 20th AD legislator Harvey Weisenberg. 

Since that time, Kaminsky has developed a reputation as a hardworking representative who attends many local events and holds open community forums for residents.

Several other possible candidates were discussed by the county GOP, including Assemblyman Brian Curran (R-Lynbrook), County Legislators Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) and Denise Ford (R-Long Beach), Town of Hempstead Councilman Bruce Blakeman.

“I am as conservative as they come, but with children I am a bleeding heart because it starts with the children and their needs,” McGrath said. “It starts with education and having every opportunity to succeed.”

Kaminsky, who was earlier designated by the county democratic leaders, formally launched his campaign on Sunday.

“We are at a pivotal moment for Long Island and for New York,” Kaminsky told about 100 people in Long Beach. “If we don’t fix what’s wrong with our government, we will not be able to fix what’s wrong with our cities, villages and towns. Today is when we start. Today we stand together to bring integrity back to Albany, to take our government back, and to make it work for Long Islanders.

Anthony Rifilato contributed to this report.