Dean Murray seeks re-election

New York State Sen. Dean Murray (R, C) is running for re-election in the 3rd Senate District in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

“I am running on my experience and my record. As a taxpayer, a homeowner, a business owner, a father and a grandfather, I have an abundance of real-life experience. Couple that with my governmental experience of serving seven years in the New York State Assembly and four years in the New York State Senate, I think it gives me a clearer picture of how to best serve and deliver for the people I represent,” he said of his re-election campaign. “Rather than looking for ways to bash my opponent, I’m running my campaign on ideas and principles. I’m sharing with the voters what my beliefs are in the hope that all or some of those beliefs will be what the people want in their representative.”

Murray was first elected to the Senate in 2022. He was re-elected to his second term in 2024. While in the Senate, he said he has led the charge to ensure that Long Island is safe and affordable and that they get their fair share of funding for public education, while also being a strong voice for parental rights and keeping the environment clean and healthy.

Murray supports law enforcement and fights for crime victims and their loved ones. In 2025, as a member of the State Senate’s Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections committee, he teamed with Sen. Rob Rolison to host a statewide series of roundtable hearings, focused on how New York’s criminal justice system treats crime victims.

“I believe in law and order and I absolutely support our police. I believe we need to do more to help innocent crime victims, not the criminals that commit the crimes. I believe if we want to make New York more affordable, it starts with cracking down on the massive waste, fraud, and abuse that drives up costs for everything, especially health care,” he said, adding, “I believe a great education is the key to a great future for our children. I believe in helping businesses succeed, so they can grow and create more opportunities for our next generation... strong, healthy, successful businesses also help build a strong, healthy economy. I believe in doing all we can to protect animals from harm and abuse. I believe in protecting our environment and keeping our water clean, but unrealistic green energy mandates that eliminate existing clean, reliable energy sources while driving utility rates through the roof are not the answer… instead, I believe we should take an ‘all of the above’ approach and integrate new, renewable energy sources into our overall energy portfolio. I believe if we want to grow our economy, we can’t ignore our infrastructure. We must invest more in maintaining and improving our roads, bridges and sewer systems. And finally, I believe if we’re going to spend billions to help anyone, it should be our veterans, not those who have come to our country illegally.”

Murray previously served two separate stints, totaling seven years, in the New York State Assembly, the first time from February 2010 through December 2012, and the second time from January 2015 through December 2018.

In the Assembly, he led the fight to repeal the MTA payroll tax, eliminate the saltwater fishing license fee, pass the largest middle-class tax cut in decades and adopt the I-STOP program to help fight the serious problem of prescription drug abuse.

A Suffolk businessman for roughly 27 years, Murray founded the Long Island Fugitive Finder magazine and website, partnering with local law enforcement to put hundreds of criminals behind bars. 

Murray also owned and operated the Long Island Job Finder employment newspaper and website, helping tens of thousands of Long Islanders find new jobs and new careers. Since COVID, the Job Finder and the LI Fugitive Finder magazine have been closed down, but the LI Fugitive Finder website (www.LiFugitiveFinder.com) is still active.

Murray resides in East Patchogue. 

Democrat Antonio Vargas-Ayala is not actively campaigning.