New York State Senate District 12 in Queens features candidates competing in the June 2026 primaries. Below is a brief overview of the candidates and their campaign priorities.
Steven Raga
Steven Raga is a New York State Assemblymember from Woodside, Queens and the first Filipino American and Southeast Asian elected to the State Legislature. Raised in a working-class immigrant family, he has focused on housing insecurity, tenant protections, healthcare, and community investment in Queens. For more information visit the campaign website at ragaforqueens.com.
Aber Kawas
Aber Kawas is a community organizer and democratic socialist running for State Senate representing Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Glendale, and Jackson Heights. She is the daughter of Palestinian refugees and has spent over 15 years organizing for higher wages, immigrant rights, housing justice, and an end to surveillance and harassment of communities. Her campaign focuses on worker protections, tenant rights, immigrant protections, and economic justice. For more information visit the campaign website at aberforsenate.com.
