Assemblymember Steven Raga Launches Bid for New York State Senate District 12

Assemblymember Steven Raga, a prominent voice for working families in Western Queens, officially announced his candidacy for New York State Senate District 12 on Saturday.

Raga, who represents Assembly District 30, shared his decision after months of engaging with residents in neighborhoods including Woodside, Astoria, Sunnyside, Elmhurst, Long Island City, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Glendale, and Jackson Heights. “I’m running to deliver on day one with leadership shaped by this community and accountable to working families,” Raga stated.

He praised outgoing Sen. Michael Gianaris for his long service to tenants and progressive causes, pledging to build on that legacy. Raga’s campaign centers on affordability challenges—housing, healthcare, childcare, and economic stability—drawing from his personal story as the son of a Filipina immigrant single mother and Teamsters union member who faced eviction and financial hardship in Queens basement apartments.

A longtime community organizer, Community Board 2 member, and PSC-CUNY union advocate, Raga highlighted his Assembly record of coalition-building and constituent services. His platform includes expanding rent stabilization, funding the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) and Social Housing Development Authority (SHDA), advancing a “New Deal for CUNY,” protecting immigrants via NY4All and Access to Representation bills, pushing the NY Health Act and universal childcare, and funding it through the Invest in Our NY tax plan targeting the ultra-wealthy and corporations.

“Western Queens is home, from Little Manila in Woodside to Astoria and Sunnyside, and from rent-stabilized apartments and NYCHA to the street vendors and small businesses that keep our streets alive,” Raga said. “I’m proud of what we’ve delivered together as your Assemblymember, and I’m ready to keep delivering and fight even harder as your next State Senator.”