State Sen. Anna Kaplan (D-North Hills) has been endorsed by a coalition of South Asian community leaders in her re-election bid for the 7th Senate District.
The coalition of leaders includes Kaplan’s Senate colleague Kevin Thomas (D-Levittown) and state Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar, among others.
Kaplan is running against Jeremy Joseph in the Democratic primary on Aug. 23.
Former state Sen. Jack Martins is running unopposed in the Republican primary for the 7th Senate District.
“As the first South Asian elected to the New York State Legislature, I consider it my solemn duty to look out for the needs and concerns of our community, and Sen. Kaplan has been by my side throughout my tenure, fighting alongside me for the issues that matter to us,” Thomas said in a statement. “Sen. Kaplan is a steadfast supporter of the South Asian community, and we’ve worked together on countless initiatives to uplift our families and neighborhoods, and we need to keep her in the Senate to keep on fighting in the coming term.”
Rajkumar has served Assembly District 38 in South Queens since 2021.
“As the first South Asian woman elected to New York State office, I urge all of Long Island’s South Asian community to vote for Anna Kaplan for New York State Senate District 7. She is a proven leader who is always there for our community, whether it is meeting with all the South Asian organizations in her district, standing up against anti-Asian hate crimes, or including South Asians on her team.,” Rajkumar said.
“Having immigrated to America from Iran at age 13, Sen. Kaplan has a life story similar to many South Asian Americans, and she understands exactly what they need to grow and prosper. South Asian Long Islanders have an ally in Anna Kaplan, and I look forward to many more years of partnering with her in Albany to serve all New Yorkers.”
The total list of the coalition features 35 prominent community leaders.
Kaplan said when re-elected, she will advocate for the community and stand up to hate.
“I’ve been proud to stand up for the South Asian community during my time in the Senate, bringing back millions of dollars for AAPI organizations, fighting back against hate and discrimination targeting the community, and fighting for legislation that recognizes holidays like Eid, Onam and Diwali,” Kaplan said. “When I’m re-elected, I will continue to fight for South Asian families, combat anti-AAPI hate, and deliver for the needs of the entire community.”
Kaplan was elected to serve the Town of North Hempstead’s 4th District as a councilwoman in 2011. In 2016, she sought election to the House of Representatives but lost to current Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) in the Democratic primary. Kaplan defeated former Flower Hill Mayor Elaine Phillips in 2018 to represent the 7th Senate District.
Kaplan announced weeks ago that she had more than $504,000 cash on hand during the most recent campaign filing period.
Kaplan said she has raised more than $205,000 during the filing period from Jan. 15 – July 11.
The 7th Senate district includes Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Williston Park, Mineola, Garden City Park, North Hills, Albertson, Old Westbury, East Hills, Roslyn, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Estates, Albertson, Searingtown, Lake Success, Manhasset, Munsey Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, and the Great Neck and Port Washington peninsulas.
