Kaminsky Leads by 780 Votes in Special Election to Replace Skelos

Democratic Assemb. Todd Kaminsky took the lead over Republican Christopher McGrath in the special election to replace former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos on Tuesday night.

According to the Board of Election's unofficial results, Kaminsky was ahead by only 780 votes, receiving a total of 33,978 votes while McGrath received 33,198 votes after all precincts in the 9th District reporting.

Laurence Hirsh, of the Green Party, received a total of 772 votes.

There were a total of 2,719 absentee ballots still outstanding at last night's election, including 1,318 Democratic, 1,169, from Republican, 26 from Conservative Party and 206 unaffiliated.

On Facebook, Kaminsky thanked his wife, Ellen, his parents, family and friends for their support.

"To the voters of the South Shore - thank you for putting your faith in me and for the opportunity to represent you in the State Senate. I also want to commend Chris McGrath for a hard-fought race," a post on Kaminsky's Facebook page read. "This election was about bringing new leadership to Albany. We must change a culture that has allowed corruption to run rampant and has failed to protect our hard working taxpayers. I promise to work nonstop to reform Albany and finally end the corrupt status quo."

Despite the results, McGrath told Newsday that he was still not ready to concede. “This race is too close to call it will not be decided tonight,” he said according to Newsday. “All the votes will have to be counted in the coming days.”

Skelos was convicted of federal corruption charges last year.