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Todd Kaminsky

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Todd Kaminsky
Image of Todd Kaminsky
Prior offices
New York State Assembly District 20

New York State Senate District 9

Contact

Todd Kaminsky (Democratic Party) was a member of the New York State Senate, representing District 9. He assumed office on April 26, 2016. He left office on July 29, 2022.

Kaminsky (Democratic Party, Independence Party) ran for re-election to the New York State Senate to represent District 9. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Kaminsky served in the New York State Assembly, representing District 20 from 2015 to 2016.

Kaminsky resigned in July 2022 to accept a job in the private sector.[1]

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2021-2022

Kaminsky was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Kaminsky was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

New York committee assignments, 2017
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Codes
Environmental Conservation
Finance
Health
Judiciary
Local Government
Transportation
Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Kaminsky served on the following committees:

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections

2022

Kaminsky announced on February 16, 2022, that he would not seek re-election.[2]

2020

See also: New York State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for New York State Senate District 9

Incumbent Todd Kaminsky defeated Victoria Johnson in the general election for New York State Senate District 9 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Todd Kaminsky
Todd Kaminsky (D / Independence Party)
 
57.7
 
94,022
Image of Victoria Johnson
Victoria Johnson (R / Conservative Party)
 
42.3
 
68,961
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
49

Total votes: 163,032
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Todd Kaminsky advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 9.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Victoria Johnson advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 9.

Conservative Party primary election

The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Victoria Johnson advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Senate District 9.

Independence Party primary election

The Independence Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Todd Kaminsky advanced from the Independence Party primary for New York State Senate District 9.

2018

See also: New York State Senate elections, 2018

Kaminsky also ran in the 2018 election as a Working Families Party, Women's Equality Party, Independence Party, and Reform Party candidate.

General election

General election for New York State Senate District 9

Incumbent Todd Kaminsky defeated Francis Becker Jr. in the general election for New York State Senate District 9 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Todd Kaminsky
Todd Kaminsky (D)
 
61.8
 
73,412
Image of Francis Becker Jr.
Francis Becker Jr. (R)
 
38.2
 
45,417
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
32

Total votes: 118,861
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Todd Kaminsky advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 9.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Francis Becker Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 9.

2016

Obama endorsement
Obama template image.jpg
During the 2016 election cycle Kaminsky was one of the candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama

Full list of Obama's 2016 endorsements

General election

See also: New York State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.

Incumbent Todd Kaminsky defeated Christopher McGrath and Laurence Hirsh in the New York State Senate District 9 general election.[3][4]

New York State Senate, District 9 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Todd Kaminsky Incumbent 51.71% 75,245
     Republican Christopher McGrath 47.29% 68,823
     Green Party Laurence Hirsh 1.00% 1,459
Total Votes 145,527
Source: New York Board of Elections


Incumbent Todd Kaminsky ran unopposed in the New York State Senate District 9 Democratic primary.[5][6]

New York State Senate, District 9 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Todd Kaminsky Incumbent (unopposed)

Kaminsky also ran on the Working Families and Women's Equality party tickets.
Christopher McGrath ran unopposed in the New York State Senate District 9 Republican primary.[5][6]

New York State Senate, District 9 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Christopher McGrath  (unopposed)

McGrath also ran on the Conservative, Independence, Reform, and TRP-Tax Revolt party tickets.
Laurence Hirsh ran unopposed in the New York State Senate District 9 Green primary.[5][6]

New York State Senate, District 9 Green Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Green Party Green check mark transparent.png Laurence Hirsh  (unopposed)

This candidate ran in one of Ballotpedia's races to watch in 2016. Read more »

Special election

See also: New York state legislative special elections, 2016

A special election for the position of New York State Senate District 9 was called for April 19. Candidates were nominated by parties rather than chosen in primaries.[7]

The seat was vacant following Dean Skelos' (R) conviction on December 11, 2015. He was removed from office after he was convicted of eight counts of corruption.[8]

Todd Kaminsky (D) defeated Christopher McGrath (R) and Laurence Hirsh (G) in the special election.[9][10][11]

New York State Senate, District 9, Special Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Todd Kaminsky 49.9% 33,978
     Republican Christopher McGrath 48.7% 33,198
     Green Laurence Hirsh 1.1% 772
     Blank Blank 0.2% 111
     Void Void 0% 0
     Write-in Write-in 0.1% 56
Total Votes 68,115
Source: 283 of 283 precincts reporting - New York Board of Elections

2014

See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2014

Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014. Todd Kaminsky was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Avi Fertig was unopposed in the Republican primary. Kaminsky ran on the Working Families Party and Women's Equality Party tickets and Fertig ran on the Conservative Party and Tax Revolt Party (TRP) tickets. Kaminsky defeated Fertig in the general election.[12][13][14]

New York State Assembly, District 20 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngTodd Kaminsky 54.7% 17,425
     Republican Avi Fertig 45.3% 14,444
Total Votes 31,869

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Todd Kaminsky did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Kaminsky's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

Fighting for our Communities

  • Restoring full-service emergency services on the Barrier Island
  • Securing a large increase in state school funding for South Shore school districts
  • Defeating the proposed offshore Port Ambrose Liquified Natural Gas terminal
  • Preventing National Grid from charging Sandy victims for repairs

Todd’s environmental agenda includes:

  • Fighting to secure full funding to build the outfall pipe at the Bay Park sewage treatment plant
  • Making significant repairs and improvements to The Nassau Expressway/Route 878
  • Protecting Nassau County’s aquifers from pollutants
  • Facilitating resiliency projects on the South Shore to strengthen and protect Nassau communities from another Hurricane Sandy
  • Securing funding to rejuvenate the Back Bay communities to prevent future flooding and spur economic growth

Taxes

  • As Senator, Todd will continue to provide much-needed tax breaks to Long Island homeowners, veterans, and others who are struggling to pay their bills because of high taxes, while reigning in out-of-control government spending.

Todd’s Education Reform Package includes:

  • Decoupling teacher evaluations from test results
  • Reducing test-taking and increasing transparency by directing the Board of Regents to do so through a research committee
  • Repealing state authority to take over failing schools and to put the school reform process back in the hands of local educators, parents, and other stakeholders
  • Establishing a Career and Practical Education (CPE) pathway to a high school diploma as an alternative for students with special needs or those learning English as a second language

Corruption

  • For far too long, corruption has plagued Albany, harming taxpayers and eroding New Yorkers’ trust in their government. Nassau County’s own State Senator, Dean Skelos, was part of the problem. It is essential to the future of Nassau County and our state that we act swiftly and decisively to protect taxpayers and restore their trust by rooting out corruption and making dirty politicians pay.
  • As a federal prosecutor, Todd put corrupt elected officials behind bars, including both Democrats and Republicans. Now as a Senator, Todd will is continuing the fight to eradicate corruption for good by passing meaningful reforms to destroy the culture of corruption and punish those abusing their office.[15]
—Todd Kaminsky[16]

2014

Kaminsky's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[17]

Rebuilding After Sandy

  • Excerpt: "Fight to ensure that FEMA and NY Rising funding is allocated quickly and fully so the South Shore and its residents can be made whole."
  • Excerpt: "Seek tax relief for Sandy victims to ease their burden."

Taxes

  • Excerpt: "Fight for more state education funding to lessen the burden on local taxpayers. As long as South Shore residents continue to subsidize upwards of 80% of their local education budgets annually, their property taxes will continue to be high. Albany must provide our local school districts with the state aid they deserve so the tax burden for residents can be reduced."

Education

  • Excerpt: "The state budget must include more education funding in order to provide better quality schools and give local tax relief to Long Island residents, who pay some of the highest property taxes in the state."
  • Excerpt: "In particular, Todd will fight to make sure that schools have the resources and staffing available to expertly educate children with special needs who attend, and that local facilities which are entrusted with the care of patients with special needs are safe, compassionate and accountable."

Women's Rights

  • Excerpt: "Todd believes that starts with full support for New York’s Women’s Equality Act, in its entirety."
  • Excerpt: "As an assistant district attorney, Todd worked for two years as a prosecutor of domestic violence crimes, fighting in court to bring abusers to justice. In the Assembly, Todd will make legislation to more-effectively prosecute these heinous crimes and to aid survivors a priority."

Israel

  • Excerpt: "In the Assembly, Todd will work to strengthen that relationship and look for opportunities to aid Israel and its citizens, as well as limit the power of dangerous forces in the Middle East, including Hamas and the Iranian regime through economic sanctions and other measures."

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Todd Kaminsky campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2020New York State Senate District 9Won general$1,676,231 N/A**
2018New York State Senate District 9Won general$1,344,421 N/A**
2016New York State Senate, District 9Won $0 N/A**
2014New York State Assembly, District 20Won $291,822 N/A**
Grand total$3,312,474 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in New York

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of New York scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.




2022

In 2022, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 5 to June 4.

Legislators are scored on bills related to the fire service.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on their support of bills related to the environment, environmental justice, public health, and transportation.


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017


2016


2015



Endorsements

2014

In 2014, Kaminsky's endorsements included the following:[18]

  • Harvey Weisenberg, Assembly District 20
  • New York League of Conservation Voters
  • 1199 SEIU
  • Local 338 RWDSU / UFCW
  • Labor Press
  • NARAL
  • Long Island Federation of Labor

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Daily Voice, "NY State Senator Resigns," accessed August 2, 2022
  2. Long Island Press, "State Sen. Todd Kaminsky Not Seeking Re-election This Year," February 16, 2022
  3. New York State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed October 11, 2016
  4. New York State Board of Elections, "Election results, 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 State/Local Primary," accessed August 29, 2016
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 New York State Board of Elections, "Election returns September 13, 2016," accessed November 6, 2016
  7. Governor of New York, "Special election proclamation," accessed February 1, 2016
  8. NY Times, "Dean Skelos, Ex-New York Senate Leader, and His Son Are Convicted of Corruption," accessed December 11, 2015
  9. NY Times, "Democrat Declared Winner of Dean Skelos’s Senate Seat on Long Island," accessed April 29, 2016
  10. Long Beach Herald, "McGrath turns down local candidates forums," accessed April 7, 2016
  11. Daily Kos, "Morning Digest: Total non-carpetbagger Liz Cheney posts Wyoming House bid announcement from Virginia," accessed February 3, 2016
  12. New York Board of Elections, "Certification for the September 9, 2014, State Primary Election," accessed December 17, 2014
  13. New York Board of Elections, "Primary results for September 9, 2014," accessed October 1, 2014
  14. New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed December 17, 2014
  15. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  16. Todd Kaminsky, "Issues," accessed September 16, 2016
  17. Todd Kaminsky's campaign website, "Issues," accessed October 8, 2014
  18. Todd Kaminsky's campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 8, 2014

Political offices
Preceded by
-
New York State Senate District 9
2016-2022
Succeeded by
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (R)
Preceded by
-
New York State Assembly District 20
2015-2016
Succeeded by
-



Current members of the New York State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Minority Leader:Robert Ortt
Senators
District 1
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District 5
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John Liu (D)
District 17
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J. Rivera (D)
District 34
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Lea Webb (D)
District 53
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Sean Ryan (D)
District 62
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Democratic Party (41)
Republican Party (22)