Meet The Candidates: Monica Martinez For New York State Senate

This November, Long Island residents will be hitting the polls to exercise their right to vote. While voters will be electing the president on Election Day, November 3, they will also be choosing their local representatives. In New York, state and federal races will also be on the ballot.

Monica R. Martinez, 43, of Brentwood, is running to retain her seat in the 3rd Senatorial District. Martinez, a Democrat, is also running on the Independence line.

Martinez's brother Antonio Martine is the deputy supervisor and a councilman in Babylon Town.

She attended Stony Brook University, earning a School Building Leadership and School District Leadership Certificate in 2008; New York University, earning a Master’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies, in 2000 and Binghamton University, earning a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and history in 1999.

She has served as a New York State Senator in the 3rd District since 2019 and was previously a Suffolk County legislator for the 9th Legislative District from 2014 to 2018.

She is facing off with challenger Alexis Weik, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

New York State's 3rd Senate District is made up Mastic, Shirley, Sayville, Patchogue, Medford, Ronkonkoma and parts of Happauge and Brentwood.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Check out the full Q&A below:

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue enacting groundbreaking reforms and pass important policies providing better opportunities to all New Yorkers and make great strides delivering for our families, our children, our environment and our most vulnerable populations.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation, our state and our community is our response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many lost their lives, lost their jobs for no fault of their own, businesses closed, re-opened and now need assistance to stay open. What the pandemic has shown is that it hit all walks of life but we also saw inequities amongst one community to the next. We saw disparities in our healthcare system, our workforce and in government resources.

I am proud of the progress we've made in the State of New York, going from the nation's center hotspot to being the state with the lowest infection rate in the nation — but it’s not over. We are seeing spikes of infection in certain areas across the state and we need to do what we can to keep the virus under control. We need to rebuild our communities by investing back into our communities to help small businesses get back on their feet, infrastructure projects that have been long delayed need to be adequately funded which would create more jobs and we must do all we can to continue securing educational funding for our schools. I plan on going back to Albany and advocating for all of these issues and bring much needed support to the 3rd Senate district, Long Island and the entire state of New York.

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

One of the most critical and stark differences is experience. My opponent has never held a position in public office that required her to vote on any piece of legislation. In contrast, I not only have greater experience but I have experience at multiple levels of government. I was first elected to the Suffolk County legislature in 2013 where I served the communities of Brentwood, Central Islip and North Bayshore faithfully until 2018 when I was elected to the office I currently hold, serving as New York State Senator to the 3r District. I know what it is like to advocate on behalf of constituents, connect them with the services they need, work across the aisle and garner support for important policies that affect the lives of everyday New Yorkers and be a true servant of the people that I represent. During these uncertain times as the state works to navigate itself out of the COVID-19 pandemic we need experienced leadership with a proven record of delivering real results and not someone who has to do an “on the job” training. Residents deserve better.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As senator, I have fought to bring record funding to our school districts and provide each and every child with a quality education and ensure our children are safe. As a former teacher and educator, I recognize the critical role public schools play in our communities.

It is critically important to ensure Long Island is an affordable place to live and work. Local property taxes in Long Island are out of control, which is why I passed the 2 percent property tax cap which will save Long Islanders $60,000 over the next 10 years. Additionally, I voted in favor of extending the STAR credit and STAR exemption programs and I have voted against tax hikes 48 times during my time in the state Senate. I have also cosponsored S.1707, which would provide local property tax relief by capping school taxes in low wealth areas and provide school districts with additional state funding and voted to reduce taxes on small businesses and provide small businesses with regulatory relief.

Protecting women’s rights has been a top priority of mine while in the state Senate. I have sponsored legislation to expand insurance coverage for mammograms and criminalize revenge porn, as well as secured funding for domestic violence victim services. Additionally, I have voted in favor of landmark legislation ensuring employees are not retaliated against for exercising their right to healthcare services and increasing access to contraception.

Public Safety: I have always fought to ensure our communities are safe. I chaired the public safety committee at the Suffolk County Legislature where I worked with local community leaders on efforts to reduce recidivism and fund numerous anti-gang and anti-violence programs. As state Senator, I have continued to lead the fight against violent gangs like MS-13 by securing millions in funding to establish youth gang prevention programs to ensure our youth don't fall prey to a life of fear and violence and have provided millions in funding to our local law enforcement agencies to make sure they have the tools they need to keep communities safe.

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

Serving as state Senator for the 3rd Senatorial District, I have secured record funding for our schools and our environment. I am proud to have sponsored and cosponsored numerous pieces of chaptered legislation making New York a better place to live including criminalizing revenge porn; requiring IDA’s to consider green technology; allowing land transfers to protect communities from rising sea levels; expanding insurance coverage for mammograms; protecting vulnerable species; and expanding unemployment benefits for those with forfeit days during a health pandemic.

I have prioritized helping our local economy and small businesses, especially during these unprecedented times, making it easier for businesses to understand regulatory changes and authorizing access to capital and personal protective equipment, as well as reducing the tax burden through the now permanent 2 percent property tax cap, and allowing for local municipalities to defer property tax payments or create installment payment plans.

I have worked across the aisle to represent my district and its needs. I have worked with community organizations to bring events and build community relations and help families in need, from our annual back-to-school events, providing students with backpacks and supplies needed for a successful school year to providing a safe environment for children to enjoy Halloween.

I have provided services to the community for COVID and antibody testing by partnering up with local physicians and local churches. I have secured funding for our local fire departments and municipalities to complete much needed infrastructure projects in our communities. I have worked hand-in-hand with local churches to combat human trafficking here in Suffolk County as well as providing valuable information the state has for religious institutions.

I have spearheaded the efforts on making everyone count by encouraging census participation. Voting reform was a top priority — and the state made the civic process easier for voter participation rather than keeping the antiquated system which was meant to suppress voters from engaging in government.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To be true to myself. To know the facts first and gather data before making a decision. To value others as we don’t know what they may be going through and to smile, as that can brighten someone’s day.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like voters to know they have a true independent voice who advocates for their needs and not special interests. Whether I have to stand up to corporations, lobbyists, other governmental agencies or my own party [I am the senator who has voted against their party more times than any other sitting senator] I will always put my constituents first! My record clearly demonstrates that I am a true, independent voice for my constituents and no one else. This pandemic has taught me the true value each and every single one of us has to offer and we should work together; together we will overcome, divided we will not.