Sen. Chuck Schumer endorses Todd Kaminsky for State Senate

Sen. Chuck Schumer Friday endorsed Assemb. Todd Kaminsky for the State Senate seat of former Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).

At a news conference in Lawrence, Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) an “amazing legislator” who passed 18 bills in his first year in office and led efforts to block a liquefied natural gas terminal off Long Beach.

Schumer said Kaminsky, a former federal prosecutor, is “as honest as the day is long,” with a “record of going after corrupt politicians.”

Kaminsky will take on first-time candidate Christopher McGrath, a personal injury attorney from Hewlett, in a special election on April 19.

Skelos was convicted in U.S. District Court in December of eight counts of bribery, extortion and conspiracy, and plans to appeal.

“We all know that we need to restore trust in the State Senate, particularly in this Senate district,” said Schumer, who also endorsed Kaminsky for the Assembly in 2014. “And Todd is the man to do this.”

Kaminsky said corruption and “backroom deals” in Albany have taken a toll on voters.

“People pay high taxes and wonder where that money is going,” he said. “They are not getting the services they deserve so they will need a fighter who will bring integrity back to Albany and put the taxpayer first for a change.”

McGrath has been endorsed by Nassau GOP leaders and county law enforcement unions. On Friday, the Nassau County Detectives Association announced its support for McGrath.

Also Friday, McGrath’s campaign raised questions about Kaminsky’s investment in three companies with ties to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

According to Kaminsky’s 2014 state financial disclosure form, he and his wife, Ellen, owned stocks in Markwest Energy Partners in Denver, Colorado, Energy Partners of Houston, Texas, and Energy Transfer Equity LP of Dallas, Texas. All the companies are involved in fracking operations.

Kaminsky opposes fracking, arguing the practice threatens public health. Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals underground to release natural gas.

“Typical politician Todd Kaminsky says one thing and does another, this time lining his pockets with the profits of companies that frack,” said Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif.

In an interview Friday, Kaminsky said all of his investments were chosen blindly by his wife’s broker. Kaminsky said neither he nor his wife were involved in choosing the investments.

Kaminsky said that late last year or in early 2016, he and his wife sold all their stocks, including the companies involved in fracking.

“It was a decision made for family reasons,” said Kaminsky, declining to elaborate.

With Yancey Roy

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.