Patrick Martinez to face AD30 race in Queens, to succeed Steven Raga
Patrick Martinez is no stranger to Queens politics.
A former teacher, CUNY graduate, Queens Community Board 2 member and Democratic district leader, Martinez is now preparing for a November general election for the seat currently held by Assemblymember Steven Raga.
Raga, who has represented the district since 2023, ran unsuccessfully for the State Senate this year.
Martinez will be introduced to the Filipino American community via a Meet & Greet on September 30, 2026 organized by the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York. It will be held at Purple Dough, 63-04 39th Avenue, Woodside, NY 11377 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Martinez won the Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 30 by just a razor-thin seven votes, defeating retired NYPD Lt. Cmdr. Shamsul Haque, 2,784 to 2,777, after a recount. Reports say he will face Republican Brandon Castro in District 30 encompassing Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights.
“I’m a former teacher, a Community Board member, and a CUNY graduate,” Martinez said in describing his candidacy. “I’m running to represent Assembly District 30.”
He said the district is confronting a combination of rising housing costs, climate-related flooding, immigration concerns and the increasing cost of living.
“Too many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet while costs go up, and government fails to meet the needs of the moment,” he said in media interviews.
His goal is to represent working families, immigrant New Yorkers and vulnerable residents while keeping Queens a place where people can afford to live and build their lives.
Martinez is said to come from a Queens political family. He has been a Democratic district leader since 2022 and has served for five years on Queens Community Board 2. He works in digital advertising and lives in Woodside. Published reports say he is the nephew of former U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley who was defeated by Democratic primary challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the 2018 midterm elections.
Martinez has emphasized his own experience in education, community service and the private sector. His campaign is said to have the backing of the Queens County Democratic Party, as well as support from several labor organizations.
Housing as a central issue
Housing is at the center of Martinez’s platform, according to his website. He describes housing as a human right and says he wants New Yorkers to have stable, affordable and secure homes. His proposals include protecting Mitchell-Lama housing, including the Big 6 Towers in District 30, and increasing the availability of deeply affordable housing.
He also supports creating a Social Housing Development Authority and the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which would give tenants a first opportunity to purchase their rental buildings when an owner decides to sell.
Martinez has also focused on basement apartments, saying safer basement units can provide additional housing while addressing safety concerns. Climate change and flooding are another major component of his platform. He points to Hurricane Ida, which flooded basements across Queens, as an example of how climate issues have become neighborhood issues. He supports increased disaster funding and infrastructure investments, including improvements to the sewer system, lead-pipe replacement, protection against contaminants and increased sewer capacity.
“Environmental issues are not abstract; they are immediate, local, and deeply tied to the quality of life,” his campaign says.
Immigration is particularly significant in a district with large immigrant communities. Martinez says he would support the New York for All Act, legislation intended to limit cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration enforcement. The issue comes as immigration enforcement has become increasingly visible in Woodside and surrounding neighborhoods. Raga, the current Assembly representative, issued a September 1 statement concerning reported ICE activity in Woodside.
Education is another area where Martinez draws on personal experience. As a former teacher and a graduate of public schools in the district, he says he understands the importance of adequately funding schools. His education platform calls for increased school aid, including Foundation Aid, along with universal childcare and stronger 3-K and Pre-K programs.
Transportation is another major concern in District 30, he said. His campaign says just over half of district residents rely primarily on public transportation, a figure it says is higher than the citywide average. He points to slow trains, long waits and limited subway access as persistent problems.
