Rocky Point's Maertz Declares Candidacy for New York State Senate

Jennifer Maertz, D-Rocky Point, announced her candidacy Tuesday for the First Senate District, to run against incumbent Ken Lavalle, R- Port Jefferson.

Maertz ran in the First Senate District race against Lavalle in 2010, making her the first candidate to run against the 35-year incumbent more than once. She entered the 2010 race two months before the election and earned 34 percent of the vote.

“I made a promise to continue to advocate for Long Island families and local businesses," she said in a release. "I am announcing my intentions to continue that effort by working to provide eastern Suffolk County with the representation it deserves in the State Senate.”

Maertz, currently a practicing litigation attorney, graduated from St. John’s University, Touro Law School, and received her MBA from the New York Institute of Technology. She has a history serving on local civic and youth council boards, and has been recognized by the Town of Brookhaven for her volunteer efforts with local youth.

Maertz declared her candidacy on her website late Monday night and launched a campaign page on Facebook.