Mel Brooks donates to Assembly campaign of Todd Kaminsky, his tall great-nephew

The Democratic primary to succeed retiring Assemb. Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach) has a rare comical edge. Iconic funnyman Mel Brooks has sent $4,100, the legal maximum, to Todd Kaminsky, who faces Anthony Eramo and Robert Solomon.

Brooks' late brother Leonard Kaminsky was the candidate's grandfather. Born MelvinJames Kaminsky, Brooks, in an emailed statement, described his great-nephew as bright and hardworking and said he'd be "a tremendous elected official from Long Island."

"Most of the Kaminskys are short and funny looking, but Todd is tall and handsome," Brooks wrote. "He is a family anomaly."

-- Dan Janison