Brandon Castro
Brandon Castro is the Republican, Conservative, Arts & Culture and Reform Party nominee for the open NY State Assembly District 30 seat. A CUNY Queens College graduate and former NYC Small Business Services liaison, he previously ran against Steven Raga for this seat in 2024.[1][5]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsIncrease police funding and staffing
Says restoring safety requires "increasing NYPD manpower, investing in better training, and ensuring officers can protect our communities effectively and responsibly."[5]
“increasing NYPD manpower, investing in better training, and ensuring officers can protect our communities effectively and responsibly”
- SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
Supports keeping the SHSAT admissions test and expanding merit-based financial aid rather than broader admissions changes.[5]
- MixedLoosen zoning rules to build more housing
Supports continued housing growth but says infrastructure investment (sewer, stormwater, transit) must keep pace, warning that "without investment in the foundation, we risk overburdening the very neighborhoods we are trying to grow."[5]
“Without investment in the foundation, we risk overburdening the very neighborhoods we are trying to grow.”
In their words — priorities
- Education and workforce reform, including investing in trade schools and vocational training, keeping the SHSAT, and expanding merit-based financial aid.[5]
- Infrastructure investment, including upgrading sewer and stormwater systems and improving public transit, saying growth requires that "infrastructure and public safety must come first."[5]
- Public safety, including increasing NYPD staffing and training to restore a visible police presence.[5]
Background
- Born in New York City to Ecuadorian immigrant parents; educated in New York City public schools and Queens Technical High School.[5]
- Earned a bachelor's degree from the City University of New York, Queens College, in 2023.[1][5]
- Worked as a liaison for the NYC Department of Small Business Services, supporting and assisting small businesses.[5]
- Ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Steven Raga for this seat in the 2024 general election.[1]