While the news of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy not seeking re-election in the 4th District has brought other public officials into the spotlight as possible successors, you can scratch one name off the list in Jack Martins. He still feels there’s work to be done at his current post as senator of the 7th Senate District.
Martins lost out in a bid against McCarthy in 2008, but beat then-Democratic Senator Craig Johnson in 2010 in a senate race that decided the majority of the New York State Legislature after a drawn out battle in court over ballot recounts. While thankful for the support, Martins says he wants to stay the course.
“While I’m grateful and flattered by the outpouring of support from constituents encouraging me to run for Congress, I have to decided to remain in the New York State Senate to continue to work for the residents of the 7th Senate District.”
Martins said taxes were one of many issues that caused him to run for senate.
“We’ve come too far to return to the one-party, Democrat rule that foisted $14 billion in new taxes on everyday New Yorkers,” said Martins. “I went to Albany to end that tone-deaf dysfunction and to finally right the ship for ourselves and for our families.
Martins has been part of a state legislature that created a state-mandated 2 percent tax cap on school districts and municipalities, a modified MTA payroll tax and increases in school aid.
The Mineola School District saw an uptick in aid last year of more than $300,000. The district received $5.4 million in total aid.
“We’ve cut taxes for middle income New Yorkers, rolled back the MTA payroll tax for our small businesses, and recaptured school aid for Long Island’s children,” said Martins. “[Right now] it’s just too important to protecting our suburban quality of life and the future of New York that Republicans have a majority in the New York Senate.”
Rumored successors to McCarthy include Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray as a possible Republican candidate, along with Nassau County Legislator Francis Becker and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. New Hyde Park attorney Frank Scaturro, who lost to McCarthy in past elections, is also a possible candidate.
