Monica Martinez

Monica is a Brentwood High School alumna and a graduate of Binghamton University, having earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and History in 1999. She later attended New York University, obtaining a Masters degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies and her administrative degree from Stony Brook University in 2008. In 2010, Monica was selected to lead the administration of Brentwood’s East Middle School as Assistant Principal where she dedicated much of her time enriching the lives of her students.

Monica began her career in government as County Legislator for Suffolk County’s Ninth Legislative District in 2014, where she faithfully served for five years. During her tenure as a Legislator, Monica worked tirelessly to improve the communities she represented. She championed legislation to support women and children rights, funded numerous anti-gang/anti-violence programs and advocated for animal rights. She established the first Suffolk County Child Care Commission and worked to secure a $125k grant for a STEM research program and raised awareness towards toxic illegal dumping that was occurring in Brentwood and Central Islip. Monica’s legislative accomplishments prompted her to seek higher office by running for the New York State Senate.

In her first legislative session, she was the prime sponsor of 80 pieces of legislation, of which 19 have been signed into law. Senator Martinez introduced several pieces of legislation to ensure the welfare and safety of all New Yorkers, which include monumental chapter amendments such as outlawing the dissemination of intimate images without consent and anti-sextortion protection for victims of non consensual dissemination of explicit images; increasing access to mammograms and menstrual health resources for the protection of women’s health; subjecting state and federal background checks for all operators of for-hire vehicles and mandating background and fingerprint checks for workers who perform services on school property. Senator Martinez cosponsored important environmental legislation such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and the Child Safe Products Act. Senator Martinez secured more funding from the state for local school districts and made healthcare more affordable. The Senator also authored legislation to protect animals- keeping pets safe from being left outside in inclimate temperatures and ensuring they are properly handled when found on vacant or abandoned property, banning the sale of animals through puppy mills, and protecting the marine mammals that depend on the habitats of our local islands to thrive.

Monica Martinez remains committed to being the voice of voiceless and most vulnerable populations. She's an independent thinker and leader who's top priority has always been in her commitment to her constituents, ensuring public safety, and implementing beneficial policies for all New York State.