Meet The Candidates: Todd Kaminsky For Senate

LONG BEACH, NY — Nov. 3 is Election Day in the United States. And while the presidential race is dominating the headlines, there are many down-ballot races that are also incredibly important. These races will shape the makeup of Congress, as well as New York's Senate and Assembly.

Democrat Todd Kaminsky is running against challenger Victoria Johnson to keep his seat representing the 9th Senate District.

The 9th Senate District includes Long Beach, Lido Beach, Point Lookout, the Five Towns, Valley Stream, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Baldwin, Lynbrook, Malverne, East Rockaway, West Hempstead and portions of Elmont.

Kaminsky, 42, has been in the Senate since 2016, when he replaced former Sen. Dean Skelos. He is a former federal prosecutor and represented Long Beach and the Five Towns in the State Assembly before running for Senate.

He lives in Long Beach with his wife, Ellen, and his children Rory and Rafe.

Patch reached out to the candidates to get more information about them. Here's what Kaminsky said:

Why are you seeking elective office?

COVID-19 has created an unprecedented health and financial crisis that requires strong leadership. The South Shore needs a fighter who can deliver real results for our communities. This is where I grew up and where my wife and I are raising our two boys. No one will fight harder to put Long Island families ahead of Albany politics to get us through this difficult time.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

COVID-19 recovery. These next months and years are critical as we get our economy back on track while protecting Long Islanders from the virus. Long Island must get the most out of our state government, including help for small businesses, relief for those struggling to make ends meet and vital funding for schools and local infrastructure — all without tax increases on overburdened Long Islanders.

That is why in the past six months, I held food drives, distributed PPE, connected the unemployed to benefits, supported our first responders, passed legislation to give mortgage relief to homeowners and secured PPP grants for small businesses. I will continue to be laser-focused on these issues and helping Long Island recover as the Senator for the South Shore.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a proven record delivering results for our community. I’ve secured $42 million for clean water, $58 million for our schools and $130 million for flood prevention and recovery in just the last few years. I authored the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which is the nation’s strongest state-led effort to address climate change, protect us against extreme weather and create new green jobs. I am also a staunch supporter of a woman’s right to choose and the author of common sense gun control laws.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

As my uncle Mel Brooks says: "You got to be brave. If you feel something, you've really got to risk it."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Long Island residents need tax breaks, not increases — and that’s why I have fought to make Long Island a more affordable and equitable community for families to call home by voting against numerous tax increases and fighting our utility companies who look to gouge our residents.

As a former federal prosecutor, I also know how important it is to have someone who keeps our communities safe, fights corruption in Albany and advocates for resources for our first responders.

And from the LIRR to flooded roadways to water quality issues, Long Island’s infrastructure needs an upgrade — and Albany needs to deliver. That is why I forced a local hearing to put LIRR executives and PSEG executives under direct questioning and demanded answers, and why I fought for — and won — hundreds of millions in spending to improve the Nassau Expressway and other infrastructure, and safer roads, clean water and better schools.