Bill Clinton stumps Nassau for Hillary

Two weeks before New York’s presidential primary and special election for the 9th state Senate District seat, former President Bill Clinton visited Elmont on Tuesday to campaign for his wife, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying that she was the right choice over Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is also seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination.

“This election in so many ways, psychologically, is coming down to New York,” Clinton said to several hundred people at the Vault Café on Hempstead Turnpike. “We’ve got to send a message to America that Hillary was our senator, she delivered in New York … If you think what she did as senator, imagine what she could do as president.”

Clinton posed for a photo with Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky of Long Beach, who is competing against Republican Chris McGrath, an attorney from Hewlett Harbor, for the state Senate seat are previously occupied by former majority leader Dean Skelos. Skelos was convicted of federal corruption charges in December.

“I want you to go out there and elect him,” Clinton said of Kaminsky. “This is really, really important for the future of New York state. This guy, he embodies what this election is really all about — there’s a big difference between talking and doing.”

Supporters of both Clinton and Kaminsky were in attendance, including Rep. Kathleen Rice, Nassau Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs, and Long Beach Councilman Scott Mandel.

Clinton touted his wife’s record during her time as a senator representing New York and later as Secretary of State.

“Look at this crowd,” he said. “If we had this meeting 30 years ago on Long Island, this crowd would look remarkably different … our diversity is our strength.”

Clinton added that making college education affordable is critical for young people in America today. He said that while it may sound great to provide everyone free tuition, the aim should be to ensure that students graduate without debt. College debt is the only loan in America that you can’t refinance, Clinton said, adding that Hillary’s plan would allow students to pay off their loans as a fixed percent of their income.

Supporters from around Long Island came out to show their support.

Political analysist were speculating this week on the impact the high-profile presidential primaries would have on the Senate race.

A Democratic member of the Board of Elections said there are 94,391 registered Democrats in the 9th Senate District and 75,500 Republicans. He added that more than 3,000 new voters have registered since January, 1,390 of them Democrats and 735 of them Republicans. “Democratic registrations are outpacing Republican registrations by nearly two-to-one,” he said. “We will be reminding all registered vogers, regardingless of party affiliation, that they’re entitled to vote in that special election.”

Ben Strack is a reporter for the LIHerald.com, where a version of this story apepared.