State Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) is throwing his hat into the race for former state Sen. Dean Skelos' seat.

Kaminsky announced his candidacy Sunday for the 9th District seat. His announcement came three days after Republicans unveiled their candidate, personal injury attorney Chris MacGrath.

MacGrath and Kaminsky are vying for the seat vacated back in December when Skelos was convicted on federal corruption charges.

As a prosecutor in Queens and a federal prosecutor who says he rooted out government corruption, Kaminsky says he's committed to eliminating corruption while in the Senate. "We need to limit significant outside income," he said. "There's too much of a conflict there. We need to get rid of pensions for corrupt officials."

With the cloud of corruption still lingering over Albany, voters are eager to move on from the scandals. Newsday reporter Scott Eidler says Republicans are wasting no time attacking Kaminsky. "The Senate Republicans issued a statement tying Kaminsky as a supporter of Sheldon Silver, who was also convicted last year," Eidler told News 12.

The special election to fill Skelos' seat will be held on April 19.