The race for Long Island's 9th state Senate District is still too close to call.

Democratic Long Beach Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky claimed victory Tuesday night in the race for the seat once held by Dean Skelos. However, Republican Hewlett attorney Chris McGrath says it's too close to call.

As of last tally, Kaminsky led Republican Chris McGrath by 780 votes. However, there are still about 3,000 absentee ballots to be counted, and a court order has been issued to impound the voting machines.

McGrath has refused to concede.

Kaminsky says the residents of the South Shore Senate district have been without a senator for five months, and after Tuesday night, shouldn't have to wait much longer.



The Democrat released a statement Wednesday, reading in part, "There is no reason the results of this election can't be certified next week so that I can begin fighting to clean up Albany in the state Senate."

Nassau County GOP Chairman Joe Mondello says the Board of Elections should make sure that all of the votes are counted, but also acknowledged that it's unlikely McGrath will be able to catch Kaminsky.

A win for Kaminsky could change the balance of power in Albany.

The Senate is currently split between Democrats and Republicans, though the GOP has control thanks to support from several breakaway Democrats.

Mondello says he believes that high turnout from the presidential primary may have impacted the race. The 9th Senate District has about 20,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans, although the seat was held by Republican Dean Skelos for the past 30 years.