Martins Sworn In as 7th District Senator

"It takes an awful long time to get 150 people through security here in the capitol," Martins said, offering a friendly apology for keeping new Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, waiting for the swearing-in ceremony as two bus loads of constituents filed into the Upper House.

"I want to recognize you, because each and every one of you I know was out there with me, walking, knocking on doors, making phone calls, handing out do me a favors, making sure that every vote got out," Martins said to those campaign workers who had joined him in the senate chambers, promising that he would "not be outworked" by other elected officials and he would "always tell you the truth."

Martins , a slim majority over former , D-Port Washington, following a long campaign and . "In a senate district on Long Island, that I tell you today, will change the course of history here in New York State and will set us on the course of recovery here in New York State," Martins said. "I wouldn't be here, we wouldn't have the majority, and we wouldn't be able to do what we're going to do if it weren't for you."