Monica R. Martinez is a Salvadoran-American Democrat and Working Families Party member representing New York's 4th State Senate District, which includes portions of Brookhaven and Islip towns, Brentwood, Central Islip, North Bay Shore, and eastern Fire Island. She is the first female and Latina state senator from the district . Elected in 2022 after defeating Wendy Rodriguez, she previously won the seat in 2018 by defeating Assemblyman Dean Murray. A moderate voice in the Democratic "blue wave," she has chaired committees like Public Safety, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Local Government, and serves as Assistant Democratic Leader on Intergovernmental Affairs. Notable achievements include sponsoring 80+ bills in her first session , outlawing non-consensual intimate image dissemination , expanding mammogram and menstrual health access, mandating background checks for for-hire vehicle operators and school workers, funding anti-gang/violence programs, establishing Suffolk County's first Child Care Commission, securing STEM grants, and advocating for women's equality, animal rights, and anti-dumping efforts.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduate of Brentwood High School; dual BA in Biology and History from Binghamton University ; Master's in Secondary Education from New York University; administrative degree from Stony Brook University .
• Early Career: Assistant Principal at East Middle School in Brentwood , focusing on student enrichment.
• Political Experience: Elected to Suffolk County Legislature's 9th District in 2013 , serving 2014-2018; chaired Public Safety Committee to combat Long Island gang violence. Elected to State Senate in 2018 , re-elected in 2022 .