State Sen. Jack Martins won't seek reelection to 7th Senate District seat in Nassau
State Sen. Jack Martins speaks at the Nassau County GOP Election Night event in November 2024. He has declined to seek another term in 2026. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Longtime State Sen. Jack Martins won't run for reelection this year after all, Republican officials confirmed Saturday.
Martins (R-Old Westbury) said earlier this year he would run again but instead declined the party nomination on Friday, the last day for dropping out.
Republican officials didn't immediately name a replacement candidate, but Democrats said it would be Assemb. Jake Blumencranz (R-Oyster Bay) and a Republican source said the party was considering the assemblyman.
"The Nassau County Republican Committee thanks Senator Jack Martins for his years of dedicated service in the New York State Legislature," Nassau County Republican Chairman Joseph Cairo Jr. said a statement to Newsday. "Senator Martins will be succeeded by a dynamic individual who has the experience and qualifications to represent the priorities and values of the Seventh Senate District."
Democrats are backing Rory Lancman, a member of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, in the race. Deputy Senate Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) said Saturday: "The people of Nassau County are ready for a strong voice in Albany, like Rory Lancman."
It could make for one of the most heated Senate races on Long Island.
The 7th Senate District covers northwestern Nassau and essentially is based in North Hempstead, but includes parts of Hempstead and Oyster Bay.
It has been a politically competitive district. Martins held the seat from 2011 to 2016; Republican Elaine Phillips, from 2017-18; Democrat Anna Kaplan, from 2019-2022; then Martins again.
It contains about 82,000 enrolled Democrats, 67,000 Republicans and 75,000 independents.
Martins, 58, a non-equity partner with the Harris Beach Murtha law firm in Uniondale, served as Mineola mayor from 2004-10 before winning election to the State Senate. He left the post to run unsuccessfully for Congress against Rep. Tom Suozzi in 2016. Martins ran unsuccessfully for Nassau County executive in 2017.
Martins then ran for his old Senate seat in 2022, defeating Kaplan.
Sarra Sounds Off: Suffolk Hall of Fame Class of 2026 On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," the Suffolk Hall of Fame class of 2026, former NFL Quarterback Mike Buck and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday
Sarra Sounds Off: Suffolk Hall of Fame Class of 2026 On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," the Suffolk Hall of Fame class of 2026, former NFL Quarterback Mike Buck and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday
