Republican District Attorney candidate Kate Murray said Saturday she hopes acting DA Madeline Singas enjoyed her Democratic primary win, “because it’s the last victory she’s going to have in this race.”
Speaking at the opening of her campaign headquarters in Garden City, Murray alleged that Singas’ office lacks a relationship with the Nassau County Police Department and cited the need for a task force to combat heroin abuse, though one already exists in Nassau County, with Singas and County Executive Edward Mangano serving as co-chairs.
Murray, the Town of Hempstead supervisor, also said she would create a bureau within the district attorney’s office that would specialize in fighting crimes against senior citizens.
“We need to have an effective district attorney who’s going to look out for our best interests, who’s going to do the right thing, who’s going to work hand-in-hand with all the police departments,” said Murray, of Levittown, “so we can make sure our neighborhoods are safe for our children, they’re safe for our senior citizens and for everybody in between,”
Murray touted the endorsements of Nassau’s police unions and said she continues to gain endorsements from village mayors and other regional law enforcement unions “each and every day.”
In an interview with Blank Slate Media prior to Thursday’s primary, Singas said she does have the support of several rank-and-file officers, and likely lost the endorsements because the DA’s office has sought prosecution against police officers since she took office.
Singas has regularly criticized Murray during the campaign for being a career politician and having no experience as a prosecutor.
Surrounded by about 150 supporters and elected officials Saturday wearing “I ♥ Kate” stickers, Murray said she is also campaigning “day and night” for Republican Hempstead town Councilman Anthony J. Santino, who is running to succeed Murray as town supervisor.
She also thanked Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Mondello, whom she called “a lifelong friend to me and to my family.”
Murray, who has been Hempstead’s supervisor since 2003, received the party’s nomination for district attorney in May.
Modello said Murray has been “second to none” as supervisor and in her previous positions as Hempstead’s town clerk, a state Assemblywoman and an assistant state attorney general.
“She will be a district attorney like we have not seen in many, many years and maybe not at all,” Mondello said. “She’s talented, she’s intelligent, she’s just, and she’s also compassionate. We’re fortunate to have her at the top of the ticket.”
