New York Assemblymember Steven Raga, a two-time TOFA honoree and the first Filipino American elected official in New York state, is making another bid for history with his run for the New York state Senate.
Raga, who represents Assembly District 30 in Queens, has announced his candidacy for the open state Senate District 12 seat, currently held by Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, who is retiring. The race positions Raga against Aber Kawas, a Palestinian American activist backed by the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York City chapter, setting up a closely watched primary contest in western Queens.
Raga was first honored by The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) in 2015, years before his election to state office, for his work in community organizing and advocacy within the Filipino and Asian American communities. In 2022, he received a TOFA Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his long-standing community service to Filipino Americans. Modeled on the national President’s Volunteer Service Award program, the honor is reserved for individuals who have devoted thousands of hours to volunteer work, and is presented through TOFA’s certification as an official partner organization empowered to recognize outstanding community volunteers.
These recognitions reflect a long track record in public service, including leadership roles in immigrant rights, youth programs and civic engagement initiatives. Even before holding elected office, Raga was widely known in New York’s Filipino community as a bridge-builder between grassroots groups, nonprofits and policymakers.
Since taking office in 2023, Raga has focused on issues such as housing, workers’ rights and language access, while maintaining close ties to grassroots organizations across Queens. His election marked the first time a Filipino American served in the New York State Legislature, a breakthrough moment for representation in a borough with a large and growing Filipino population.
Raga’s Senate bid builds on that milestone. If successful, he would become the first Filipino American in the New York state Senate, further expanding Filipino representation in Albany and amplifying the community’s voice in statewide policy debates.
For TOFA and the Filipino diaspora, Raga’s campaign underscores how honorees often continue their work far beyond the awards stage — moving from advocacy to elected office while carrying their communities with them. His candidacy adds to a growing wave of Filipino American leaders seeking higher office across the country, signaling a new chapter in Fil-Am political visibility and influence.
