Christopher McGrath endorsed by Nassau PBA, which seeks GOP Senate control

Nassau’s Police Benevolent Association is endorsing Republican Christopher McGrath over Democrat Todd Kaminsky for the State Senate seat vacated by former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos because the union wants Republicans to maintain control of the Senate, said president James Carver.

“We’ve got to keep the Senate Republican,” Carver said. “It gives balance in government. In addition, having a Republican majority is good for Long Island. That’s the bottom line.”

Skelos, who was convicted in December on federal corruption charges, is appealing his verdict. His conviction cost him his seat in the 9th Senate District. A special election is scheduled for April 19.

Kaminksy, a former federal prosecutor from Long Beach and now a member of the Democrat-controlled state Assembly, is expected to have an early lead in the district, which voted 55-45 percent for Democrat Madeline Singas over Republican Kate Murray for Nassau County District Attorney in November.

McGrath, a personal injury attorney from Hewlett who is a former president of the Nassau Bar Association and a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness for the state’s Second Judicial Department, is expected to formally kick off his campaign Wednesday in Inwood.

Carver said the PBA will ask McGrath what it can do to help, including handing out pamphlets and walking door-to-door with or without the candidate.

“We represent 5,000 active and retired members,” Carver said.

Asked whether the PBA endorsement still carries influence, given that the PBA also endorsed Murray, Carver said, “It’s obvious in the Kate Murray and Madeline Singas race, the biggest thing [for voters] was who had experience as a prosecutor. I believe this is a different case. I think the PBA endorsement still holds weight and will hold weight.”