Primary madness skips Rockville Centre

As the New York presidential primaries get closer, Rockville Centre seems to have been spared the worst of the madness that comes with them.

So far, no candidates have come to the village, although many have made appearances on Long Island. Donald Trump spoke in Bethpage, Hillary Clinton was in Port Washington, John Kasich spoke at Hofstra University and Heidi Cruz, wife of Senator Ted Cruz, was in Bellmore. The primary is scheduled for April 19.

As of press time, those running for president have no events scheduled in Rockville Centre before next week’s vote.

The local Democrat and Republican clubs have also shied away from endorsing any candidate on the national stage. What they are focusing on, though, is the local special election to fill Dean Skelos’s seat. The Rockville Centre Republicans have thrown their weight behind Chris McGrath, and the Democrats are backing Todd Kaminsky. Both clubs are also encouraging people to get out and vote.

“This is going to be the big drive this year: getting people who felt there was no point in voting to get out and vote before we lose control of our own local and national government,” said Henry Boitel, past president of the Rockville Centre Democratic Club.

Both clubs said that, since the county and state parties had not endorsed a presidential candidate, they weren’t, either.

“We’re not taking a position at all [on the presidential race],” said Republican Club President Dan Casella.

The special election is also set for April 19. Everyone in Rockville Centre is eligible to vote in that race. Only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the primary.