Cover credit – nysenate.gov
Senator Monica Martinez
Candidate: Senator Monica Martinez
Residence: Brentwood
First Elected: 2022
Prior Elected Experience: New York State Senator, Third District (2019-2021), Suffolk County Legislator, Ninth District (2014-2019)
Committees: Chair of Local Government; Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders; Education; Elections; Environmental Conservation; Insurance; Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee
Caucuses: Legislative Women’s Caucus, Select Majority Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises
Endorsements: CWA, NYSNA, National Institute for Reproductive Health, NYSUT, RWDSU, LIUNA, Eleanor’s Legacy, TWU, New York State Troopers PBA, League of Humane Voters, LIFL, SCCOA, CSEA, PBA of New York State, CWA Local 1109, AFL-CIO, National Organization for Women, NSBCTC, Suffolk AME, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, AFSCME, Italian American PAC, NYC Correction Officers Benevolent Association, Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs Police Benevolent Association, New York League of Conservation Voters, LIGRA
Senator Monica Martinez won her first term in the Fourth Senate District in 2022 after losing re-election in 2020 to Alexis Weik (R-Sayville). She is now running for a second term from this district.
Her opponent, Theresa Bryant (R-Central Islip), is not actively campaigning.
Senator Martinez sat down with The Messenger for an interview for this candidate spotlight.
Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for the Senate?
A: Throughout my time as an educator, county legislator, and State Senator, I have devoted my life to serving my community. As a teacher and principal in the Brentwood School District, I enriched the lives of students by building a positive learning environment. Thanks to my work as an educator, I understand what it takes to support our schools, support our students, and empower them to thrive. As a County Legislator, I championed public safety, securing funding for anti-gang programs, establishing the first Child Care Commission and strengthened animal protection laws, knowing that preventing animal abuse prevents other serious crimes from occurring. I also protected the environment and our public health and stood up against environmental injustices by leading the fight against illegal dumping in our public parks. On these issues and on many more, my work in education and local government has enabled me to better serve my constituents.
Q: What do you consider to be the “defining issue” of this election?
A: Affordability. Long Island should be a place where young people can afford to raise a family and where our seniors can afford to remain in their homes. I have worked tirelessly to confront the affordability crisis by championing landmark protections for homeowners and tenants, making the property tax cap permanent, and voting against new taxes 178 times.
Every year, Long Island becomes less and less affordable for working families. We have to work on retaining young talent on the island to be able to maintain our quality of life. The more young professionals we lose, the harder it is for middle-age and retirees to stay on the island too.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments for SD-04 and the state overall in the last two years?
A: Under my leadership, we have made great progress in terms of school funding, public safety, and environmental protection. I fought successfully against proposed cuts in school aid in this year’s budget and ensured that schools throughout Senate District 4 received record funding while maintaining the property tax cap. I secured $350 million in funding for gun violence prevention programs and sponsored legislation to make fentanyl testing strips more accessible to combat the opioid crisis. I sponsored the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act which, if supported by Suffolk County voters this November, will provide funding to protect our drinking water by reducing excess nitrogen through expanded sewers and upgraded septic systems.
Q: The Siena College regularly tracks New Yorkers’ opinions on the direction of the state. Just last month, the College tracked a majority of voters who feel the state is on the wrong track – 51%-39%. With this in mind, what’s your pitch to voters that sending you back to the majority will be productive for your constituents? What case would you make for increased Democratic leadership in Albany, despite an extended period of the majority of New Yorkers feeling the state is on the wrong track?
A: As a member of the Majority Conference, I have been able to advocate more effectively for our district and ensure Long Island’s priorities have a meaningful seat at the negotiating table. Nowhere is this clearer than negotiations over the budget where we successfully pushed back against the governor’s attempt to cut funding to Long Island schools. Whether bringing home resources for students and families or supporting our law enforcement with the tools they need to make Long Island one of the safest places in the country, I have worked to make sure our majority serves Long Island’s needs. I have never been afraid to stand up to my own party on issues like bail reform or tax increases. However, on issues ranging from combating the cost of living crisis to standing up for women’s rights both in healthcare and victims of domestic violence, to protecting our environment, our majority has delivered policy victories that meaningfully improve the lives of Long Islanders and that enjoy broad support throughout my district.
Q: What are your current thoughts on the bail reform laws? What aspects, if any, do you believe need changing and what aspects, if any, do you think should remain in place?
A: I have made it clear that the bail reform laws that were passed in 2019 were imperfect and needed changes in terms of allowing judges greater discretion in assessing defendants and making more serious offenses bail-eligible. I support the underlying principle of the law, which is that people should not languish in jail for minor offenses simply because they cannot afford to make bail. Our criminal justice system was somewhat unbalanced, but like any legislative initiative, there is always room for improvement. I believe judges should have more discretion when deciding bail, though they already have the ability to impose it if an individual poses a threat to themselves or others. As such, I was the only sitting Senator from Suffolk County who strongly advocated for these amendments, working alongside law enforcement unions and victim advocates to secure the changes needed. We were successful, and further amendments have been made this year to strengthen protections for our communities.
I have worked and will continue to work with legislative leadership to make additional changes so we can keep our communities safe while ensuring our justice system is rooted in fairness and equity.
Q: What is your reaction to the even-year election law being deemed unconstitutional? When we spoke last year of its passage, you offered a passionate defense of the change. Has your opinion changed since then?
A: No. I was disappointed with the most recent ruling in favor of the partisans who would rather have fewer people vote in our local elections, but I look forward to this ruling being overturned on appeal. Our democracy is strengthened by greater public participation, especially at the local level. When this law is upheld and implemented, it will strengthen democracy in local government throughout New York.
Q: What is your top priority if re-elected?
A: Tackling the affordability crisis is a top priority of mine and I look forward to working with legislative leaders on Day 1 to do just that on multiple fronts. We need a comprehensive housing policy which supports the unique needs of Long Island, including supporting aspiring new homeowners and supporting our seniors so they can stay in the homes and communities in which they have lived and built their lives over the years.
We must reassess how affordability is defined, both at the federal and state levels. The current metrics often fail to capture the real cost of living on Long Island, where housing prices, taxes, and everyday expenses can be significantly higher than in other regions across the State. We need to adjust our affordability standards to ensure any policies designed to address this crisis are tailored to meet Long Island’s unique needs. By doing so, we can ensure these initiatives truly reflect the realities faced by our residents and provide meaningful relief to those struggling to make ends meet. I will continue to fight for increases in state aid to local schools, not only to support our students and teachers, but to ensure we do so without massive property tax hikes which threaten to drive Long Island families away, and I am committed to protecting Long Island’s middle class from tax increases by holding the line on taxes.
Q: What is your favorite quote, motto, work ethic, or words to live/work by? Alternatively, is there a particular historical, local, or personal figure you find particularly inspiring?
A: My mother; a trailblazer who taught me to never give up, to never allow anyone to tell me I can’t do something, to be humble but yet proud and to focus on education as no one can take that away from me.
Q: How do you like to connect with and enjoy your community?
A: As someone who was both raised in this community and continues to be an active part of it, my connection here is deeply personal. This is where my roots are, where my family and friends live, and where I’ve built my life. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to a good book while going for a run in my neighborhood. It’s one of the ways I find balance and stay grounded. I believe one of the best ways I have been able to connect with my community is through local events. Whether it’s a school gathering, a neighborhood festival, or a town hall meeting, these events bring people together and create meaningful opportunities for conversation and collaboration. They allow me to hear directly from constituents and understand the issues that matter most to them, which informs my work and strengthens the bond I have with the community.
Throughout my career as an educator, administrator, county legislator, and now state senator, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with neighbors at local events, visiting our schools, and being present in the very spaces which have shaped who I am. These connections are what inspire me and remind me why I chose to serve in public office. I want the next generation of leaders to feel proud of where they come from, knowing their community and roots can both fuel and inspire their dreams. This community raised me, and I am honored to work every day to make it even stronger.
The Messenger thanks Senator Martinez for her time for this interview.
About the Fourth Senate District
Within the Town of Islip, the district includes Baywood, Brentwood, Central Islip, Hauppauge, North Bay Shore, Pine Aire, and parts of Bay Shore, Brightwaters, Islandia, Islip hamlet, Ronkonkoma, and West Islip, Within the Town of Babylon, the district includes Deer Park, East Farmingdale, North Amityville, North Lindenhurst, Wheatley Heights, Wyandanch, and parts of Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Melville, North Babylon, and West Babylon.
