Dean Murray, state senate District 3

Dean Murray

Republican

BACKGROUND: Murray, 54, of East Patchogue, is running on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Tax Revolt lines. Since 1997, Murray has owned a Long Island-based advertising agency, D & S Advertising Inc., which publishes the Long Island Pet Lover, Long Island Job Finder and the Long Island Fugitive Finder magazines and websites. Murray graduated from the Broadcast Institute of Maryland. He worked for a decade in radio and television news industries in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New York. Murray was first elected to the 3rd Assembly District in 2010. He served but then lost a bid for the district in 2012. He was re-elected to the seat in 2014 and has served since. He is vying for the senate seat left vacant by GOP incumbent Tom Croci.

ISSUES: Murray says he is running for senate, because as a member of the prospective majority party, he’d be able to more easily pass legislation. But, he says, in the Assembly he was able to reach across the aisle and work with his Democratic colleagues. He said was the only Republican co-sponsor in the assembly of the so-called Child Victim Act, which extends the statute of limitations for victims to pursue charges against their alleged perpetrators. Murray said he will push for deregulation, and hopes to pass legislation that is more business friendly.  “Small businesses are getting strangled and chased out of New York," Murray said. He will advocate for more control at the local level on school curriculum and testing. He said he would push for more vocational training, giving high school students more career options than the traditional college route. Murray added that the MS-13 gang problem on Long Island is directly connected to illegal immigration and opposes New York City's sanctuary status.