Dean Murray to Run For His Old Assembly Seat

Dean Murray wants his old job back.

The former state assemblyman announced Tuesday that he will run for the seat currently held by Democrat Ed Hennessey, who defeated Murray by just a couple hundred votes in 2012. 

"Over the past few months I have had quite a few people urge me to consider running to return to Albany, whether it be in the Senate or Assembly," said Murray, of East Patchogue, in a statement. "I’m proud to say that after seriously considering both, I have decided to follow my heart and run for the seat that I previously held in the NYS Assembly’s 3rd district." 

Murray served one full term in the Assembly after winning a special election in 2010. On Tuesday, he went on the offensive right away against Hennessey, criticizing the former Brookhaven Town councilman for supporting scandal-ridden Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. 

"He failed at the most basic purpose of his job, which was to deliver to Albany, the message of the good people of the 3rd Assembly district. That message was that this behavior should not be tolerated," Murray said of Hennessey voting to keep Silver as the speaker. 

Hennessey released a statement Wednesday regarding Murray's announcement.

“My priority remains delivering real results for Brookhaven families," he said. "I am committed to fighting for our fair share of school funding; passing an on-time budget that holds the line on spending and providing property tax relief for hardworking families. Now is not the time to worry about politics.”