Spin Cycle

Mineola Mayor Jack Martins, a Republican who lives within a mile of Democratic Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, plans to challenge the six-term incumbent this fall, say high-ranking Republican officials.

Tony Santino, GOP spokesman, said Martins “has the fire in the belly” and a proven track record, and that because of his local popularity, he could well cut into McCarthy’s hometown base. “He’s the complete package and we’re delighted he’s stepped forward,” Santino said.

Martins said he is still considering it, and expects to take weeks to reach a final decision. If he runs, Martins said, he’d seek to “avoid polarization and remain above board.”

Even Republicans acknowledge Martins faces an uphill fight. McCarthy, first elected in 1996 as a champion of gun control in the aftermath of the Long Island Railroad massacre in which her husband was killed and her son wounded, has won by wide margins, and has $516,000 in her campaign coffers. Martins, mayor since 2003, suffered a major defeat two years ago when voters in a referendum rejected his bid to form a local police department. But he rebounded last March to win re-election.

“There is real dissatisfaction with Congress right now, their ratings are lower than the president,” said Rory Whelan, a GOP consultant advising Martins. Noting that the war and the trouble economy have made people uncertain, he added, “When people are unnerved they look for real leadership capability and Jack is a real leader.”

Ray Zacarro, McCarthy’s spokesman, said, “We take everything seriously, take nothing for granted, and we look for a healthy conversation on the issues.”

Rick Brand