Catalina Cruz: Campaigns and Elections
Catalina Cruz's electoral career began with a historic 2018 primary victory and has been sustained by re-elections in one of the most diverse Assembly districts in the nation. This section walks through each in order, with results and context, citing primary or strong secondary sources.
2018: The breakthrough
Cruz won the 2018 Democratic primary for the 39th Assembly District with 53 percent of the vote, defeating the party-backed incumbent [1, 2]. She ran unopposed in the general election. Her victory made her the first former DREAMer elected to office in New York State and only the third nationally [1]. The campaign was driven by President Trump's threat to end DACA, which Cruz cited as the catalyst for her decision to run [3]. She received campaign training from New American Leaders and raised nearly $200,000 [1].
2020 to 2024: Re-elections
Cruz has been re-elected in subsequent cycles, maintaining her hold on the heavily Democratic district [4]. Her incumbency advantage and her strong constituent-service operation have kept her position secure.
Electoral profile
Cruz's 39th District is one of the most diverse in the nation, with more than 58 percent of the population foreign-born [2, 5]. Her personal story as a former undocumented immigrant gives her unusual credibility with her constituency. Her electoral strength rests on this personal authenticity and her community-rooted campaign operation.
Summary of electoral results
* 2018 Assembly (District 39): Won Democratic primary (53%); ran unopposed in general. First DREAMer elected in New York State.
* 2020, 2022, 2024: Re-elected.