Santino declares 'crusade' against deBlasio in bid to keep GOP control of state Senate

Hempstead’s top Republican launched a “crusade” against New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio on Wednesday, warning that the suburbs and its values would be doomed to domination by “deBlasio’s far left-wing” Democrats" if the state Senate seat formerly held by convicted Republican leader Dean Skelos falls into Democratic hands.

Town Supervisor Anthony Santino spoke at a rally that launched the Senate candidacy of Christopher McGrath, who will face Democrat Todd Kaminsky in a special election on April 19. The Senate is evenly divided by party but controlled by Republicans with the support of independent Democrats, and a swing of even one seat could tip the balance toward the Democrat Party, which already controls the Assembly and all statewide offices.

“Without a victory in this special election we will turn this entire state over to the New York City Democrats,” Santino said. “So this is a crusade. It’s a mission about protecting our suburbs, protecting what makes living in Nassau County so wonderful.”

Santino introduced McGrath as “someone who rose from humble beginnings but he never forgot where he came from.”

McGrath, who lives in Hewlett, presented himself as a family man who was born and raised in Inwood. He said his priorities would revolve around children.

“If we take care of our children, the children will take care of the state,” he said.

A product of both public and parochial schools, he favors helping parents handle the costs of private school, “not at the expense of the public schools but in addition to that.”

“It is important that the public school system not be shortchanged one dollar,” he said. 

McGrath expressed steadfast opposition to Common Core. “Let kids be kids and let teacher teach,” he said.

Santino said that when the Democrats last controlled the state Senate, taxes and school funding formulas disadvantaged the suburbs. McGrath “will make sure that the suburbs always have a seat at the table when it comes to the workings of Albany,” Santino said.

The April 19 election to fill Skelos’ seat will coincide with the state’s presidential primary. The district includes the Five Towns, Long Beach and surrounding South Shore areas. 

Referring to Assemblyman Kaminsky, McGrath said: “I like my opponent. I’m going to like him more as the assemblyman working alongside me when I’m the state Senator."

Wednesday's McGrath rally was held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Imperial Room at 259 Doughty Blvd. in Inwood.