U.S. Reps. King and Rice back — who else? — McGrath and Kaminsky

Republican Senate candidate Chris McGrath, left, and U.S. Rep. Peter King. Courtesy Marcus Povinelli

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice announced her support for Kaminsky, left, on Monday.

Courtesy Isaac Goldberg

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U.S. Rep. Peter King announced his support for Republican candidate Chris McGrath on Monday in the race for the 9th Senate District seat, the same day that Congresswoman Kathleen Rice threw her support behind McGrath’s Democratic opponent, State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky.

McGrath, a Hewlett Harbor resident and attorney, is running against Kaminsky in a race that has become contentious in recent weeks, as both candidates vie for the seat vacated by former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos — who was convicted on corruption charges in December — in a special election on April 19.

County Legislator Denise Ford (R-Long Beach), meanwhile, said on Tuesday that she is backing McGrath, and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced her support for Kaminsky on Wednesday. On Friday, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli also endorsed Kaminsky.

“Todd Kaminsky’s record of fighting government corruption and his work to bring needed tax relief to Long Island homeowners is why I strongly endorse his election to the State Senate,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “He has also been a leading voice on important women’s issues in New York State such as ensuring women get equal pay for equal work and holding politicians accountable by supporting strong ethics reforms like stripping corrupt politicians of their taxpayer-funded pensions.”

“Just like other successful candidates who held no elected position when they ran, Chris McGrath will measure up to the job as our State Senator,” Ford said in a statement. “In all honesty, I like Todd and did support him for the Assembly — where he is doing a wonderful job — but I believe it is in our best interest to keep the Senate Republican and that is why I am working for Chris. With both of them working together, I am sure we will be well represented in the state.”

King, Ford and Republican Party leaders maintain that McGrath would be a better advocate for Long Island in the Senate. The 9th District race could tip the balance of power in the Senate; with Skelos gone, the Senate is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, although the GOP still controls a narrow majority because some Democrats caucus with them.