The Post’s State Senate Picks
In striking down the Hochulmander and ordering truly nonpartisan redistricting, state courts gave voters several competitive state Senate races — handing them a crucial chance to check the one-party rule that’s put New York on its path of steep decline.
To turn the state around when it comes to public safety and economic hope, boosting Republican ranks in the Legislature is vital. With that in mind, The Post endorses these state Senate candidates:
In Senate District 1 on easternmost Long Island, nonprofit worker Skyler Johnson is challenging GOP incumbent Sen. Anthony Palumbo. Palumbo, a former assemblyman and county prosecutor, is a strong voice for fixing cashless bail and other botched criminal-justice reforms and is pushing for hearings on Gov. Hochul’s smelly pay-to-play deals.
In SD 2, surrounding the towns of Huntington and Smithtown, Republican incumbent Sen. Mario Mattera faces former Suffolk County Legislature Majority Leader Susan Berland, whose hopes were actually boosted by the neutral redistricting. Mattera, a former plumbers’ union official, was key to writing legislation that lets prosecutors go after unscrupulous employers, especially in construction, for wage theft. He’s also a solid supporter of law enforcement and an enemy of mandates that hike the cost of living.
In swing SD 5, covering Hempstead and parts of Oyster Bay, Nassau county legislator Steve Rhoads seeks to oust Democratic incumbent Sen. John Brooks. Rhoads is a champion of people with disabilities, smaller government, reduced taxes and repeal of bail reform. He opposes congestion pricing.
In SD 7 on Nassau’s North Shore, former Mineola Mayor Jack Martins is running to return to the Senate (after leaving in 2017) against incumbent Sen. Anna Kaplan. He’s staked his campaign on opposing congestion pricing, bail reform and violent crime.
In the open SD 9 seat in southwestern Nassau, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick vies against Democrat Kenneth Moore to replace Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat who quit to work at a lobbying firm. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick vows to work for lower taxes and more government accountability.
In Queens’ SD 11, Stefano Forte seeks to oust 12-term incumbent Democrat Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky. Forte vows to improve conditions for small businesses and families by reducing taxes and improving schools as well to repeal the disastrous bail-reform laws, hold radical district attorneys accountable and ensure criminals face consequences.
The Mid-Hudson SD 41 race features two incumbents: Republican Sue Serino vs. Democrat Michelle Hinchey. Serino pledges to reject new taxes, to stand up for crime victims, seniors and veterans, to fight for schools and to encourage workforce innovations.
Whether you vote early from Oct. 29 through Nov. 6, or head to the polls Nov. 8, do your part down the entire ballot to reject the Democrats who’d keep the Empire State in permanent decline.