Patrick Martinez, nephew of Joe Crowley, launches Assembly bid

There’s a new Crowley in town. 

Patrick Martinez is running to replace Assembly Member Steven Raga, his campaign exclusively told City & State. A Democratic Party district leader since 2022 and a member of Queens Community Board 2 for five years, Martinez works in digital ad sales and lives in Woodside. 

Martinez is the nephew of former Queens Democratic Party leader and Rep. Joe Crowley and the son of longtime New York City Council Chief of Staff Ramón Martinez, a campaign spokesperson confirmed to City & State. The elder Martinez wielded significant power under former Council Speakers Melissa Mark-Viverito and Christine Quinn. Patrick Martinez’s brother, Connor, was a top intergovernmental affairs aide to former New York City Mayor Eric Adams. A cousin, Elizabeth Crowley, also represented Queens in the City Council, as did both of her parents, Walter and Mary. 

The same spokesperson emphasized that Martinez intends to run on his own merit and that his family ties to Queens Democratic politics will not be a focus. But a press release shared with City & State makes significant note of the fact that Queens Dems has already endorsed Martinez before he even publicly launched his campaign. The campaign declined to make Martinez available for an interview. 

Assembly District 30 includes Woodside, Maspeth, Elmhurst and parts of East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. With Raga opting to run for state Senate following Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris’ retirement announcement earlier this month, Raga’s seat is up for grabs. And the field for the Democratic nomination is shaping up: In addition to Martinez, retired New York City Police Department Lt. Cmdr. Shamsul Haque and Nepali American community leader Somnath Ghimire have both filed to run. On the Republican side, Brandon Castro is mounting another bid for the seat after challenging Raga in 2024; he’s been endorsed by former City Council Member Bob Holden.