Former state Sen. and Mineola Mayor Jack Martins was endorsed by three prominent Nassau County police unions on Tuesday in the midst of his campaign to return to the Senate.

The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, Detectives Association and the Superior Officers Association all expressed their support for Martins, and several other Republicans, at the PBA headquarters.

Martins, an Old Westbury resident who previously represented the 7th District from 2011-2016, lauded the work of the Nassau County Police Department and thanked the officials for pledging their support for his campaign.

“I am honored and humbled by the endorsement we received today from law enforcement and I want to make it clear that I have always been with law enforcement and I will continue to stand with law enforcement as we move forward,” Martins said during a press conference.

Martins criticized bail reform, blaming “the Democrats in Albany who have decided to take the side of criminals.” Martins said a vote for him would be a vote for someone who will “restore law and order” throughout New York.

PBA President Thomas Shevlin said his association and the two others are endorsing candidates that are not afraid to support police officers amidst calls for defunding the police and will fight to repeal the state’s bail reform laws. 

“The time is now for change on bail reform,” Shevlin said. “The safety of our country, our county, our state and the future for our children is at stake. We are asking all of you to join us and support these officials come this November.”

Detectives Association President Jeff Gross echoed Shevlin’s comments about bail reform needing to be repealed and that the endorsements that were made were not just because the candidates were Republican.

“These candidates are the ones that have sat down with law enforcement,” Gross said. “They understand our needs, they understand our concerns and that’s why they were chosen. They are the best choice for the safety of our residents and the best choice to support law enforcement.”

Martins is running for the state’s 7th Senate District against incumbent state Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills). According to the most recent Senate campaign filings, Kaplan announced she had more than $504,000 on hand, compared to Martins’ $41,000.

The 7th Senate district includes Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Williston Park, Mineola, Garden City Park, North Hills, Albertson, Old Westbury, East Hills, Roslyn, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Estates, Albertson, Searingtown, Lake Success, Manhasset, Munsey Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, and the Great Neck and Port Washington peninsulas.

Martins served as Mineola’s mayor from 2003-2010. In 2008, he ran an unsuccessful congressional campaign against former U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy before defeating incumbent 7th District Senator and Democrat Craig Johnson in 2010.

The race against Johnson was one that did not get resolved until early December due to Johnson demanding a recount of the votes, ultimately having his appeal denied by the state’s Court of Appeals.

After another failed attempt to get into Congress in 2016, losing to U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), Martins shifted his focus to becoming Nassau County’s new county executive, following former County Executive Edward Mangano being indicted on federal corruption charges.

​​Martins ultimately lost that race to Democrat Laura Curran, who served as county executive before being defeated by Republican Bruce Blakeman this past fall.