Ackerman backs Kaiman for Congress

Noah Manskar

Former Congressman Gary Ackerman and several Town of North Hempstead officials endorsed former Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman in his bid for Congress last week.

Ackerman, a Democrat who represented  most of what is now the 3rd Congressional District from 1983 to 2013, gave his backing to Kaiman, who is among several Democrats running for U.S. Rep. Steve Israel’s (D-Melville) North Shore Third District seat.

Kaiman, the former Nassau Interm Finance Authority chairman, also announced endorsements from Democratic North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Lee Seeman (D-North New Hyde Park) and Town Councilman Peter Zuckerman (D-East Hills); Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman; former Town Councilman Tony D’Urso; former town Environmental and Chief Sustainability Officer Fran Reid; and Reform Democratic Association President Charlotte Sear.

“I am honored to have the support of Congressman Gary Ackerman and the other elected and former elected officials who have put their names forward on my behalf,” Kaiman said in a statement. “As my campaign ramps up we will be adding other leaders and supporters from throughout the district to our team effort to win this congressional seat.”

Kaiman announced his run for Congress in late January and has since left his post at NIFA and as special adviser to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Superstorm Sandy relief.

Since entering the race, Kaiman said in a phone interview, he’s been hiring campaign staff, raising money and building a platform of issues based on conversations with local leaders and residents.

His campaign expects to have more than $100,000 in its war chest by the end of the week, he said.

Kaiman is among five Democrats to create a congressional campaign committee. 

Others include former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, North Hempstead Councilwoman Anna Kaplan (D-Great Neck), Garden City-based attorney and lobbyist Brad Gerstman and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern (D-Huntington).

Republican contenders include state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), retired Marine David “Bull” Gurfein of Manhasset, state Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R-Huntington), Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta (R-Smithtown) and former Glen Cove City Council Candidate Philip Pidot.

E. O’Brien Murray, Martins’ campaign strategist, said Kaiman’s endorsements show he’s backed by a “corrupt North Hempstead machine,” citing the recent resignation of Gerard Terry from the head of the town’s Democratic committee and the end of his legal contracts with the town after it was revealed he owes $1.4 million in federal and state back taxes.

“He (Kaiman) can take the endorsements and he has to answer for the problems,” Murray said.

Kaiman said Terry’s personal issues will not affect his campaign. 

“Other than being political fodder for adversaries … I really don’t think it’s of any relevance to the campaign for Congress,” he said.

Martins has been making appearances across the district in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens while continuing to serve in the state Senate, Murray said. 

Gurfein, who formed a congressional committee in September, has been talking with residents and meeting with people in the Republican and Conservative parties, he said.

He said he would attend a meeting Feb. 17 where candidates will make their case for an endorsement to Conservative leaders from Nassau, Suffolk and Queens.

As for Kaiman, Gurfein said, “We wish him all the luck and look forward to seeing him in the general election.”

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