Sen. Jack Martins beat out Democrat challenger Adam Haber last week to keep his New York State Senate seat, garnering 56 percent of voters in the Seventh Senate District. Martins won his third term handily, leading in the polls up to Election Day.
The former Mineola mayor grabbed 38,557 votes to Haber’s 29,986 tallies.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to server for another two years,” Martins said. “It was a hard fought and contentious election. I’m really happy people saw through the issues that were thrown out and actually focused on the things we were talking about.”
Martins ran on his steady record, pushing his bipartisan efforts in the senate, including on-time budgets, the 2 percent tax cap and the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing legislation, which created a real-time database that gives physicians information on a patient’s prescription history before prescribing drugs. The bill also establishes a safe drug disposal program for expired or unused medication.
“This victory would not have been possible without the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who supported my campaign by walking door to door, making phone calls, and spreading the word to their friends and neighbors,” said Martins. “I will always remember and appreciate your hard work.”
This loss puts Haber 0-for-2 in battles for political power. Haber lost to Tom Suozzi last year in the Democratic primary for county executive. Haber did not return calls for comment.
Other area races included victories for Assemblyman Ed Ra (20,294) over Democrat Gary Port (9,116) in the 19th District, with Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice beating out Republican Bruce Blakeman (85,294-76,515) for Carolyn McCarthy’s post in the 4th Congressional District.
