Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Steven Raga for NY Senate District 12
Candidate Name: Steven Raga
Office Seeking Election for: New York State Senate District 12
Website: https://www.ragaforqueens.com/
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?
I grew up in Queens in basement apartments. My mom came here from the Philippines, raised me on her own, and we were a union household — my family was Teamsters. I know what an eviction notice looks like because I’ve seen them on our door. I know what it means to wonder whether the government is actually on your side, because for most of my childhood, it felt like it wasn’t.
That’s not a talking point — it’s why I ran and how I govern. As a two-term Assembly member representing Woodside, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Maspeth, I’ve passed air quality legislation, secured $500 million in the state budget for water infrastructure, and stayed genuinely rooted in the communities I serve. I’m the first Filipino American ever elected to the New York State Legislature and the first Southeast Asian to hold state office in New York.
Senate District 12 is one of the most diverse places in the country. I know these neighborhoods because I came from them. I know the Astoria renter getting priced out and the Maspeth homeowner worried about flooding. I’m not a fresh face — I have a track record of showing up, and that’s what I’ll bring to the Senate.
2. What LGBTQ+ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to show up for and work alongside LGBTQ+ communities, both in Queens and across New York City. Before joining the Assembly, I served on the board of Queens Pride, where I supported efforts to uplift LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and help grow inclusive, community-centered programming in our borough.
I’ve also worked closely with LGBTQ+ advocates and organizations through my campaigns and in office, including the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City. That support reflects not just my values, but the relationships I’ve built with LGBTQ+ leaders and community members over time.
In the Assembly, my commitment continues through both my legislative work and my presence in the district. I regularly engage with LGBTQ+ constituents and organizations—especially in neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Woodside—and I’ve been proud to stand in solidarity at Pride events and community gatherings. Each year, I also host a Pride Month event in the district to celebrate LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and uplift local voices.
That commitment is also reflected in the legislation I’ve introduced and supported. I’ve worked on bills aimed at expanding access to culturally competent mental health care, strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ youth, and ensuring our state agencies are more responsive to the needs of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. I’ve also prioritized efforts to improve access to services for LGBTQ+ immigrants and working-class families in my district, recognizing the intersectional challenges many in our community face.
To me, this work is about more than policy—it’s about making sure LGBTQ+ New Yorkers feel seen, protected, and fully included in every part of public life.
3. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ+ issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump and his policies?
I’ve consistently shown up for justice in and out of the Capitol. In 2025, I was arrested alongside fellow state legislators and community advocates at 26.Federal.Plaza in Manhattan during a peaceful protest against ICE’s treatment of immigrant New Yorkers and to demand passage of meaningful protections like the New York for All Act, standing up to federal policies I believe harm marginalized communities.
I’ve also participated in actions in Albany and Queens alongside immigrant rights and racial justice organizations calling for sanctuary protections and equitable treatment under the law, including rallies tied to the NY4All campaign.
In addition, I’ve stood with reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice supporters at press conferences and demonstrations opposing policies of the Trump administration that threaten civil rights and liberties.
Showing up physically and publicly for people whose rights are on the line has been an important part of how I represent this district and the broader values I bring to my work in the Assembly.
4. In light of the Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?
The Trump Administration’s policies targeted women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and communities of color, and the effects are still being felt in New York and across the country. My plan to combat this agenda is rooted in community organizing, legislative action, and public advocacy.
I will continue to partner with local organizations—from Queens-based LGBTQ+ groups to immigrant rights and reproductive justice advocates—to ensure their voices guide policy solutions. In the Senate, I’ll continue to introduce and support legislation that protects reproductive rights, strengthens anti-discrimination protections, expands immigrant access to services, and advances equity for marginalized communities.
I also plan to mobilize constituents and allies for civic engagement, including rallies, town halls, and public campaigns that push back against harmful federal policies, building on my experience at 26.Federal.Plaza and Albany rallies with NY4All. Combating this agenda isn’t just about opposing bad policy—it’s about empowering communities, amplifying their voices, and making New York a model of inclusion and justice.
5. Will you seek or accept endorsements from individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights?
No.
6. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion?
Yes.
7. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community?
Yes.
8. How will you work to enhance protections for immigrants and uphold New York’s role as a “Sanctuary City”?
Protecting immigrants and defending New York’s role as a sanctuary isn’t just rhetoric for me — it’s been a commitment in practice and in policy. As the son of an immigrant family and a representative of a diverse Queens district, I’ve stood with immigrant communities at protests and actions — including the 26.Federal.Plaza demonstration challenging federal immigration enforcement — and have worked alongside advocates pushing for sanctuary protections and immigrant rights.
In the Senate, I will continue to support and co.sponsor legislation that expands immigrant legal defense and access to services, including backing bills like the BUILD Act to strengthen legal representation for immigrants facing deportation. I will also fight to ensure state policy reinforces sanctuary protections, limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement that erodes trust between communities and law enforcement, and supports access to healthcare, housing, and education for all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status.
I’m committed to organizing with community partners, amplifying immigrant voices in Albany and Queens, and using every tool in my office to defend our sanctuary values..
9. Do you support New York becoming a Transgender Sanctuary State?
Yes.
10. If elected, will you commit to supporting legislation that raises taxes on the richest New Yorkers and large corporations in order to fund the services and investments our communities need?
Yes.
11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district?
I have never opposed shelter in my district. I also believe we must protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our communities — including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers — with real resources, dignity, and safe housing. In the Assembly, I’ve worked to secure capital funding and circulated budget letters to support the development of housing and services for vulnerable populations, including backing funding for initiatives like supportive housing for homeless and runaway youth through organizations that serve LGBTQ+ youth in NYC.
12. Will you sponsor and support legislation which will ensure that state and local resources are not used to facilitate or cooperate with federal immigration enforcement (New York for All Act) to prevent the funneling of people into ICE custody, and the sharing of sensitive information with ICE?
Yes, I have been a proud cosponsor since joining the Assembly.
13. To advance safety and justice, New York must address our archaic sentencing and parole laws. Do you support the following key legislation: 1) Second Look Act (S.158/A.1283), which would allow judges to review and reconsider excessive sentences by considering if incarcerated people have transformed while incarcerated or based on changes in law and norms; 2) Earned Time Act (S.342/A.1085), which would strengthen and expand “good time” and “merit time” programs in prison that encourage personal transformation and reunite families?; 3) Marvin Mayfield Act (S.1209/A.1297), which would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences, thereby allowing judges to consider individual factors in a case?; 4) Elder Parole (S.454/A.514), which would allow incarcerated people over age 55 who have served 15 years the opportunity to go before the parole board?
Yes.
14. Do you oppose the death penalty?
Yes.
15. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement?
Yes.
16. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?
Yes.
17. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?
Yes.
18. Did you rank Andrew Cuomo on your Democratic primary ballot in 2025? Who did you support for mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary and general election?
No. I supported WFP and PSC-CUNY’s slate of candidates.
19..In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of scores of people with AIDS, excused city council members who voted against the gay rights bill and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes.
20. Do you support naming the soon to be reconstructed 42nd street bus terminal the Bella Abzug Port Authority?
Yes.
21. What is your legislative remedy to secure the building of low and moderate-income housing around the state?
Expanding affordable housing across New York is one of my top priorities, and my approach combines budget victories, legislative action, and strategic policy advocacy. Last year I helped secure $110 .million in state funding for the preservation of Mitchell.Lama housing — including key sites like the Big Six in Woodside — to protect and stabilize existing affordable units for moderate. and middle.income families.
I’m also advancing policies that expand tenant protections and strengthen housing stability, including bills to ensure people with housing vouchers are informed of their rights and to prevent discrimination in housing based on wage history and other factors.
More broadly, I’m working with my colleagues to fully fund the Housing Access Voucher Program so that New York can help families stay housed and prevent homelessness before it starts, and to support statewide rent stabilization measures that keep working families in their communities.
Affordable housing is a human right — and I’ll continue building coalitions in Albany and in the district to defend existing stock and create new opportunities for low. and moderate.income New Yorkers to live with dignity.
22. Will you refuse donations from AIPAC, SolidarityPAC, police and corrections associations, the fossil fuel industry, and the charter school industry?
Yes.
23. Do you support removing criminal penalties for consensual commercial sex work between adults? Also known as Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades (S2513 Salazar / A3251 Forrest).
Yes.
24. There is an effort to have mandatory inclusion of the New York State proposal that would require public schools to teach about the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, commonly described in the bill text as an “insurrection.” Do you support this proposal?
Yes.
25. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?
I would like the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider my consistent track record of standing with marginalized communities, advancing progressive legislation, and being present in the district for those most in need. From securing funding for affordable and supportive housing, including programs for homeless and runaway youth in Astoria, to advocating for immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and reproductive justice, my work has always focused on ensuring equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers.
I have also participated in direct community action, from rallies at 26.Federal.Plaza to Albany advocacy with the NY4All campaign, showing that I don’t just legislate — I show up alongside constituents to fight for their rights.
Finally, I prioritize listening to the communities I represent, building partnerships with local organizations, and ensuring that policy reflects lived experiences. I hope the Club considers both my progressive values and proven record of action as part of your endorsement decision.
26. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all appropriate literature and electronic materials?
Yes.