State Senator Jose Peralta has died at the age of 47.
Peralta was the first Dominican-American elected to the state Senate in 2010.
He represented the 13th District in Queens, which covers Corona, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside.
Tributes were being left outside his East Elmhurst office Thursday.
Governor Andrew Cuomo called Peralta a dedicated public servant and a relentless advocate for Queens.
Mayor Bill de Blasio referred to Peralta as a "proud son of Queens and the Dominican Republic."
Peralta was a member of the Independent Democratic Conference, a breakaway group of Democrats who conferenced with Republicans in Albany.
He lost the Democratic primary to Jessica Ramos, who will take over his seat in January.