Kaminsky Will Not Seek Another Term In Senate

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — State Sen. Todd Kaminsky had his sights on higher office in New York, but his political life was dealt a serious blow with the November loss for Nassau County district attorney.

And now Kaminsky, a Democrat, is ending his time in Albany. The veteran lawmaker announced in a statement on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection or any other office in the fall.

Sources say that former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen is eyeing Kaminsky's seat for the 9th District.

Kaminsky's bail reform legislation hurt his DA chances last fall and seemed to cause his own party to distance itself.

This decision also comes on the heels of a scathing, 63-page lawsuit by former Long Beach City Manager Rob Agostisi, who accused the city of not paying him owed vacation and sick pay.

Kaminsky's name is mentioned in the complaint more than two dozen times. He is accused of "attempting to exert political influence."

According to the complaint, "The tone and substance of [a] conversation indicated that Kaminsky wished Agostisi to politically associate with Kaminsky by helping him to advance his political goals and use City events to do so."

The suit also claims that Kaminsky was wielding his power behind the scenes on numerous occasions including in late 2018, when he "called and expressed anger at Agostisi for failing to advise [him] of a small, city-sponsored event in [Long Beach] Recreation Department."

Kaminsky arrived in Albany as an assemblyman in 2015, but within 16 months he was in the state Senate, replacing the disgraced Dean Skelos in a special election.

During his time as a state senator, Kaminsky helped secure funds for 9/11 first responders and Superstorm Sandy victims.

Kaminsky was in public office for 18 years, to "represent and defend the needs of New Yorkers as best as I could, and I have given everything I have to that responsibility."