It's a battle of influencers in Nassau's DA race



Who sways more voters in the race between Republican Anne Donnelly and Democrat Todd Kaminsky for Nassau District Attorney?

The election is a week away and both sides have put out new commercials urging support for their candidate.

Kaminsky, a state senator and former prosecutor, has recruited Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat who is also running this year, to speak for him, in a 15-second video.

Donnelly, an assistant Nassau district attorney for 32 years, has enlisted John Wighaus, president of the Nassau Police Detectives Association, to appear on her behalf in a 30-second video.

Both Curran and Wighaus say their respective candidate will keep Nassau safe.

In Kaminsky's spot, Curran says,"Crime is down in Nassau County. We've been named the safest community in America twice. The Daily News calls Todd Kaminsky tough on crime and corruption. This election vote for the Democratic team that will keep you safe and deliver justice."

Here is a link to the Curran ad for Kaminsky:

https://fb.watch/8U25ieXTqb/ 

Okay, that's positive. And she doesn't mention bail reform, the issue Republicans have used to attack Kaminsky, who helped write the original bail reform law. 

(One of the most hair-raising aspects of the bail reform law -- allowing accused criminals access to the victim's home if it is where the alleged crime took place -- was found unconstitutional in a Suffolk County court today.)

In comparison, Wighaus hits Kaminsky hard on bail reform:

"Before Todd Kaminsky thought about running for district attorney,  he admitted his support for the dangerous cashless bail law," Wighaus says, showing a News12 clip in which Kaminsky is questioned about his role in bail reform.

"For police, our job got a lot harder under Kaminsky's law, " Wighaus continues. "3,000 inmates released; Killers, rapists and violent thugs..

"Keep Nassau safe. Reject Todd Kaminsky's dishonest campaign. Join me and other police. Vote for anne Donnelly,  one tough prosecutor for DA."

Here is the link to the Wighaus Donnelly ad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akkhiorZv9g 

The question may come down to, who has more influence? Curran or Wighaus.

Without doubt, Curran is better known.

On the other hand, Curran has only 15 seconds to make her case. Wighaus is given twice as much time.

Presumably, both are more influential in Nassau than another Kaminsky champion: Eric Adams, Democratic candidate -- and the likely winner -- for Mayor  in blue New York City.

Adams also cut a commercial for Kaminsky. 

 Eric Adams in commercial for Kaminsky

But how much impact does a city candidate have on Nassau voters? 

Both Kaminsky and Adams are repped by the same political consultant, among others -- Red Horse Strategies.

According to the state Board of Elections, Kaminsky's campaign has paid Red Horse Strategies more than $688,000 in the last month.

 

 


 

 


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