DeMartin resigns from Town of North Hempstead post to focus on Assembly run

Joe Nikic

The Town of North Hempstead’s Public Safety Commissioner Andrew DeMartin said he resigned from his post Monday to focus on his run for the state Assembly’s 16th district seat.

DeMartin said balancing his job requirements with his run for election would hinder his ability to run a successful campaign.

“It’s very time consuming and I’m very devoted to my work,” he said. “I want to serve the residents of Assembly District 16 in a way to make them proud. In order to do that, I need to focus on running for the Assembly. I don’t think I can do both at the same time.”

DeMartin was the first candidate to step forward following state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel’s announcement last month she would not run for re-election this fall.

He began working for the town in December 2010, heading the Office of Emergency Management, town security, harbor security, code enforcement, parking enforcement, animal control and the Port Washington parking district.

DeMartin, a Democrat living in an unincorporated area of Great Neck, is also director of the town’s harbor and chairman of the lighthouse committee.

Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth sent an email to residents thanking him for his work with the town, according to Newsday.

Deputy Public Safety Commissioner Shawn Brown would take his position in the interim, DeMartin said.

“He knows what I know,” he said of Brown. “I’m sure he’ll get a lot of support from underneath.”

After Schimel announced on Jan. 7 she would not seek re-election, DeMartin said the news was “shocking.”

He said the two worked together on many projects to receive funding for water and fire district initiatives, as well as for firefighter and fire truck safety.

Over the years of working together with state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), DeMartin said, the two developed a friendship.

Unlike the influx of candidates who came forward following U.S. Rep. Steve Israel’s announcement he would not be seeking re-election to Congress, things have been more quiet on who would attempt to replace Schimel in the state Assembly.

Herricks school board Trustee Jim Gounaris said last month he was “seriously contemplating” running to represent the 16th Assembly district, though he has not made a decision yet.

DeMartin remains the only candidate to step forward so far.

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