Democratic Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky has defeated Republican Chris McGrath by just 780 votes out of 68,004 cast in Tuesday’s special election to replace Dean Skelos, according to unofficial data.
The former federal prosecutor, who ran on a platform of cleaning up Albany, has claimed the Long Island state once held by the former majority leader convicted of corruption.
There are about 3,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted in the ninth senatorial district covering towns in south Nassau, but Nassau Republican Chairman Joe Mondello all but conceded the race Wednesday, saying it’s unlikely that the outcome will change.
“It’s a significant number to overturn. At the risk of being wrong — I hope I’m wrong — Mr. Kaminsky won,” Mondello said.
Skelos was convicted in a pay-to-play scam along with his son, Adam, and was booted from office. He is awaiting sentencing.
Mondello said Skelos’ conviction “really hurt” McGrath and the GOP’s chances of keeping the seat.
Mondello also said that the Democratic presidential primary — held the same day — helped energize blacks and other Democrats to heads to the polls.
The GOP still maintains a slim 32-31 majority in the Senate, thanks to the support of renegade Democrat Simcha Felder as well as a deal with five other independent Democrats.