Patrick Martinez wins Assembly District 30 primary by seven votes
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Patrick Martinez prevailed over Shamsul Haque in the District 30 recount by a mere seven votes. Photo via Martinez Campaign
By Ryan Schwach
Patrick Martinez, a local district leader and the nephew of former party boss Joe Crowley, won the Democratic primary for Queens Assembly District 30 by seven votes after the paper-thin margin between him and candidate Shamsul Haque led to an automatic recount.
Martinez’s single-digit lead following the hand count that unfolded on Tuesday and Wednesday appeared to be enough for him to prevail as the Democratic nominee in the Western Queens district.
Martinez brought in 2,784 votes, just enough to best Haque, a progressive former police officer, who got 2,777 votes. Nepali organizer Somnath Ghimire, who may have played a spoiler role in the race, received 718 votes.
Ali Najmi, Haque’s campaign attorney, said he had objections to two ballots, but they would not be enough to challenge the outcome of the race once the Board of Elections fully certifies the results in the coming days.
With his apparent win, Martinez will now face off against Republican Brandon Castro in November.
The winner of the general election will succeed Assemblymember Steven Raga, who lost a bid for the State Senate, in Albany.
“Today, after a full and fair count of every ballot, I'm humbled and honored to have been elected to be the Democratic nominee for the 30th Assembly District,” Martinez said in a statement on social media.
“I also want to thank Shamsul Haque and Somnath Ghimire,” he added. “They ran serious, positive campaigns rooted in a shared belief that government can do more for working families in Queens. Their advocacy made this a better race, and will make me a better representative. I look forward to working alongside them for this district.”
Martinez was backed by the Queens County Democratic Party, and had mainstream, establishment political support from prominent local unions and retiring representative Nydia Velazquez.
“Whether you voted for me or not, I will represent all of you: every family, every block, and every corner of this district,” he said. “The work starts today, and I am ready to keep showing up, keep fighting, and keep delivering for Western Queens.”
Haque, who assisted Mayor Zohran Mamdani with his campaign last year, thanked supporters and volunteers in a call with the Eagle on Wednesday.
He said he hadn’t yet called Martinez to concede, but intended to soon.
“While this is not the outcome I hoped for, I leave this campaign with immense gratitude,” he said. “It is what it is.”
On election night last month, Martinez was up by 13 votes over Haque, a margin tight enough to automatically trigger a recount in accordance with state law.
The race was the closest in Queens since 2022, when Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato defeated Thomas Sullivan after a recount by 15 votes.
