Candidate Profile: Monica Martinez For NY 4th Senatorial District

LONG ISLAND, NY — Suffolk County residents will be lining up at the polls for primaries on Tuesday Aug. 23, where they will be voting for candidates vying for congressional and state senate seats.

Former New York State Senator Monica Martinez (D-NY) is seeking election to represent the 4th Senatorial District. She faces New York State Assemblyman Phillip Ramos (D-NY), who currently represents Assembly District 6.

Martinez defeated Republican Dean Murray in the 2018 General Election for the Third Senatorial District with 51.6 percent of the votes. She assumed office on January 1, 2019 and left office on January 1, 2021.

She is also registered to run in the general election on Nov. 8, representing the Working Families Party. Martinez will go against Republican candidate Wendy Rodriguez in the general election.

Patch reached out to all candidates in the primary.

Here are Martinez's full answers:

Name

Monica Martinez

Campaign website

https://monicaforsenate.com

City or town of residence

Brentwood

Office sought

NYS Senate, District 4

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Bachelor's degree from Binghamton University, a master’s degree in education from New York University, and a post-grad certification of school administration from Stony Brook University.

Occupation

My professional career began as an educator, both as a teacher and principal in the Brentwood School District where I faithfully served and stood up for the students, teachers, parents, and staff, for fourteen (14) years.

I then went on to become a Suffolk County Legislator from 2014 to 2018 when I became a New York State Senator from 2019 to 2021.

Family

Yes, I have a great family! I’m blessed to have my mother and father, 77 & 78 years old respectively. My sister Lorena who is 52, my brother Antonio 53, and brother William 58 years old. I have the honor to be an aunt with seven nieces/nephews and a great niece and nephew. Two dogs and two cats who complete my family. My family is the reason for my successes; they are my rock and love them to the moon and back!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My brother Tony Martinez is a Babylon Town Councilman.

Age

45

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I was a Suffolk County Legislator and then a NYS Senator.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m proud of the accomplishments made as a NYS Senator - securing more funding from the state for local school districts, passing commonsense gun legislation that expands background checks and protects our children in schools, passing the Reproductive Health Act to protect Roe v. Wade, important environmental legislation to protect our drinking water, our bays and waterways. But there’s more to be done, so I’m running again to continue the work for the residents of the 4th District.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The big difference between my opponent and I is the support I have received from numerous elected officials, organizations and labor unions such as: Suffolk County Democratic Chairman and Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, State Senator John Brooks, Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg, Suffolk County Legislator Sam Gonzalez, Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly, Babylon Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Babylon Councilmember Tony Martinez, Babylon Councilmember Terry McSweeney, Babylon Councilmember DuWayne Gregory, Islip Councilman Jorge Guadron, Congressional Candidate Jackie Gordon, UFCW, RWDSU, Steamfitters, Carpenters, IBEW, TWU, NY League of Conservation Voters, Teamsters Local 817, Council of Administrators and Supervisors, Empire State Supervisors & Administrators Association, New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Superior Officers Benevolent Association, Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors, Local 2507 – FDNY, Uniformed EMS Officers Union, Local 3621 – FDNY, Uniformed Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association – FDNY, Westchester County Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, Operating engineers, NYS Troopers, and Eleanor’s Legacy.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My top priorities are:

-Continuing to protect women by protecting Roe v. Wade in New York. With the attacks on women’s rights happening across the country following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, it is more important than ever that we protect women’s rights here. I’m proud to have been in the Senate when we passed the Reproductive Health Act, but we need to be vigilant to ensure those protections are upheld and strengthened.

-Fighting for our schools. Our children need and are one of my top priorities. We need to be investing in our public schools and securing greater funding for local school districts. I was successful doing this as a Senator previously and look forward to continuing the work once reelected. We also need to keep our school safe by passing common-sense gun legislation. I’m proud that as a Senator we passed legislation expanding background checks and enacting Red Flag laws, but more can be done, especially as we see the tragedies unfolding across the country far too often.

-Keeping our waters clean by securing water and sewage infrastructure upgrades for our communities. This protects our drinking water, our bays, rivers, and waterways we rely on for recreation and what is so important to our communities. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the Country because of our waterways, and we need to be fighting for continued investments into clean water infrastructure to preserve them for generations to come.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?=

I believe the evidence that shows I can handle this job is that I've already done the job! I'm proud of my record of accomplishments as both a Suffolk County Legislator and a NYS Senator, and I hope to have the honor and privilege to go back to Albany to continue to work for the constituents of Suffolk County.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To have courage of my own convictions.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am an independent thinker and regarded as a consensus builder. At a time when division exists among political parties and groups, it is important to have someone at the table who can bring people together to discuss the tough issues affecting New Yorkers and how to find solutions. That person is me, and I am ready to do that.