FIL-AM community leader Steven Raga announced his historic candidacy for Assembly District 30 from Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights on Saturday, April 23.
“I am so excited and pumped up to announce my candidacy. I grew up here and have seen our diverse immigrant communities land here and take root, building vibrant neighborhoods,” said Raga. “It is time that we take our voice to the Assembly and that we are represented by someone who understands the spirit and the needs of this amazing community. Together, we can reimagine the future of Queens!”
Joined by Congresswoman Grace Meng, State Senator John Liu, and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz as well as a diverse group of community leaders and supporters, Raga committed himself to representing the community that he grew up in.
The newly drafted borders for Assembly District 30 include Woodside, Elmhurst, and Maspeth. The district is one of the most diverse districts and is majority AAPI. If elected, Steven Raga would be the first ever Filipino American elected to office in New York State.
“Steven is the best choice for our community,” said Rep. Meng. “He is a dedicated and passionate public servant who has been working for our communities for decades. I am proud to support Steven in his candidacy.”
District Leader Melissa Sklarz added “As a member of the Committee of Vacancies, it was an honor to select Steven Raga to be our Democratic candidate for the 30th Assembly District. Steven is smart, experienced, compassionate for both neighborhood and community, and essential to represent us all in Albany. The 30th Assembly District needs Steven Raga.”
Steven Raga is the Executive Director of Woodside on the Move, after previously serving as Regional Manager for Policy & Advocacy for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Senior Advisor for AARP, and Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Brian Barnwell (AD30). Currently, he is an Advisor for the United States Civil Rights Commission, Member of the Queens District Attorney Commission for Asian American Affairs, and sits on the Boards for the National Association for Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Western Queens Community Land Trust, the National Urban Fellows Alumni, Queens Community Board 2, Queens LGBT Pride, and Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro) which he founded in Woodside in 2009. n
