Republicans play it safe in LI Senate race

Republicans are confident they'll keep all nine Long Island Senate seats but are spending a little money there, just in case.

Reports show the state Senate Republican Campaign Committee has spent $220,000 on Assemb. Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore) in the race to replace retiring Sen. Owen Johnson (R-West Babylon); $37,000 on Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola); $26,000 on Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) and $7,000 on Sen. Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset). The cash-strapped Democratic Senate Campaign Committee has spent $15,000 each on Suffolk Legis. Ricardo Montano, Boyle's opponent, and Ryan Cronin, who's challenging Hannon.-- Yancey Roy