General Election
Raising taxes on top earners versus tighter oversight of state spending
Assembly Member Steven Raga left the seat open to run, unsuccessfully, for the State Senate. Patrick Martinez won the June 23 Democratic primary by seven votes after a recount; Brandon P. Castro, the 2024 Republican nominee, advanced without a primary.
Democratic Party district leader in Assembly District 30 since 2022
Housing — Wants to protect Mitchell-Lama housing, including the Big 6 Towers in the district, by making sure it has the funding to stay affordable. Supports creating a Social Housing Development Authority to add permanently affordable housing statewide and passing the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which would give tenants the first chance to buy their building when the owner sells.
Nydia Velázquez +29
Works as a menswear specialist
Taxes and spending — Wants stronger oversight of public spending regardless of which party benefits, to stop what he calls taxpayer-funded corruption and government waste. Says tax dollars should go to proven programs with measurable results rather than political projects, special interests or programs that fail to show effectiveness.
Lester Chang +6
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Taxes and state spending
The Legislature writes state tax law and passes the state budget. The choice is between raising more revenue from the wealthiest residents and large corporations to pay for services, or tightening oversight of spending and cutting administrative costs so existing tax dollars go further.
Wants stronger oversight of public spending regardless of which party benefits, to stop what he calls taxpayer-funded corruption and government waste. Says tax dollars should go to proven programs with measurable results rather than political projects, special interests or programs that fail to show effectiveness.
The Big Apple Gazette — Meet the Candidate: Brandon Castro (June 6, 2026)Schools, child care and job training
The Legislature sets state aid for public schools and decides which education and early-childhood programs state money supports. At issue is whether to raise school aid broadly and add universal child care, or steer support toward vocational training and schools that show measurable results.
Wants to increase state school aid, especially Foundation Aid, saying funding is one of the most important factors in the quality of a student's education. Supports passing universal child care and strengthening 3-K and pre-K programs.
Patrick Martinez campaign website — PrioritiesPolicing, sentencing and public safety
State law sets New York's sentencing and parole rules and shapes how the state supports policing. The debate is between shortening sentences, widening parole eligibility and ending practices such as solitary confinement, or putting more weight on police support and enforcement of quality-of-life problems.
Supports law enforcement, neighborhood safety initiatives, cleaner streets and stronger enforcement against illegal dumping, arguing that sanitation, public disorder and neighborhood upkeep directly affect residents and small businesses.
The Big Apple Gazette — Meet the Candidate: Brandon Castro (June 6, 2026)Cycle-to-date · NYS Board of Elections — figures change as new reports are filed.
Researched & verified Sep 30, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.
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