McGrath to run against Kaminsky for State Senate

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 due to the corruption conviction of former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican from Rockville Centre.

Last Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo 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 Michael Watt, a spokesman for the Nassau GOP. “He has a keen appreciation for what it takes to really enjoy Long Island and will do everything he can to protect the suburban quality of life we’ve come to enjoy.”

McGrath, 57, is a partner and lead litigator specializing in personal injury for Garden City-based Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath & Cannavo. His work has been recognized multiple times by organizations in the legal field. He is also an adjunct professor at Hofstra University School of Law. McGrath is held in high regard in the Five Towns, especially for his work with Peninsula Kiwanis.

“I am 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,” McGrath said, referring to the last time the Democrats held the majority.

As a lawyer with 33 years of experience coupled with being a past president of the Nassau County Bar Association and serving on several committees, including two that were state appointments, McGrath believes he is qualified to run for this public office. “I have been put into positions where I worked with people,” he said. “I have not help political office, but I will do what should be done as opposed to what everyone else wants to be done.”

Married with three grown children, McGrath has been a member of the Peninsula Kiwanis since 1983 and is a two-time past president. He was named Inwood Civic Association Man of the Year and was a Catholic Lawyers St. Thomas More Award winner.

“No one has given back more to the community than Chris McGrath and that began long before this political campaign,” said Pete Sobel, vice president of the Inwood Civic Association. “ He will be great for the district and great for the Inwood community. He has risen to the top of his field, but he never forgot where he has come from.”

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

Since that time, Kaminsky has made a reputation for himself 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.”