Boyle Looks Forward to State Senate Campaign

During his 14-year career in the New York State Assembly, has served as a member of the Republican minority, frustrated by the limited ability he and other GOP members have in proposing legislation he feels would have benefitted his constituency.

Today, as the Republican candidate in the Fourth State Senate District, Boyle is excited about the possibility of being a member of the Senate’s GOP majority.

“Before I was elected to the Assembly (in 1994), I served with (Representative Rick) Lazio when Republicans were in the minority in the House of Representatives,” Boyle recalled. “Six months after I was elected, the GOP gained control in the House, and I was a member of the Republican minority in the Assembly.”

With his future now in the hands of voters, begins the race for the State Senate where he will face Suffolk County Legislator (D-Brentwood).

Republicans selected Boyle to replace long-time State Senator Owen Johnson, who last week surprised many by , ending a 40-year career in Albany.

“I knew Senator Johnson had been thinking about (retiring), but I really thought he was going to make another run,” said Boyle, adding he found out about Johnson’s decision through local media outlets.

With Boyle making a State Senate run, local Republicans are now tasked in finding a candidate to run in the Eighth Assembly District, which covers southwestern parts of Islip Town and southeastern parts Babylon Town.

As he begins the campaign, Boyle is focused on two main issues: unfunded mandates and maintaining GOP control in the State Senate.

“Unfunded mandates is not a sexy or exciting issue, but it's a major problem facing the state right now,” he said. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Cuomo, we were able to approve the tax cap. But we now must look to do away with unfunded mandates.”

In addition, feels it’s important for voters in the Fourth Senate District and across Long Island to maintain Republican control of the Senate.

“We saw what happened when the New York City Democrats gained control of the Senate; it was chaos,” he said.

Currently, Republicans hold a slim 33-29 advantage in the State Senate.