Astoria's 'Vax Daddy' Takes A Shot At Queens State Assembly Seat

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Huge Ma — also known as "Vax Daddy," in homage to his vaccine appointment-finding site, TurboVax — is taking a shot at city government and running for New York State Assembly.

Ma, 31, launched a Democratic primary challenge on Monday against incumbent Cathy Nolan in Queens Assembly District 37, where he was raised. The City was first to report this story.

A software engineer by trade, Ma gained internet celebdom at the beginning of this year, when he helped thousands of frustrated New Yorkers score vaccine appointments with his Twitter-connected site, TurboVax.

“I only did what I thought was right and what was good for my neighbors,” Ma told The City of TurboVax, adding that he thinks his bid for state assembly is "an extension" of his work helping his neighbors.

After temporarily suspending his platform in Feb. amid a spate of anti-Asian hate crimes, the born-and-raised Astorian began using Twitter to advocate for social and political issues that hit closer to home — including combating anti-Asian racism, and advocating for safer streets.

These issues, and more, are the cornerstones of his newly-launched state government platform, which focuses on climate action, housing and healthcare access, transit-first streets, good government technology, and free CUNY education (among other issues).

As Ma considers what might be an uphill campaign — Nolan, his opponent, is a longtime Assembly Member whose fended off novice candidates in the past — he is bolstered by the strength of his mother, an immigrant from Hong Kong who worked in a garment factory in Long Island City in order to put herself through college and become a nurse.

"I am running to do justice to her sacrifice," he told The City. "Very seldom do people have an opportunity to advocate for their neighbors, to improve their lives."

Find out more about Huge Ma's campaign here.