Teacher Faris Zwirahn announced a campaign for Assembly in the 16th legislative district Monday.
“My deep personal experience with poverty and knowing the struggle of trying to get ahead are part of the reason why I am running. Additionally, growing up and having a front-row seat to authoritarianism and inequity shaped my deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of human rights,” he said.
The Fullbright scholar faces Montgomery Mayor Sadaf Jaffer and renaissance man Chris Fistonich in his bid for Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker’s (D-South Brunswick) Assembly seat. Zwicker is running for the State Senate seat held by Kip Bateman (R-Neshanic Station), who is not seeking re-election.
Somerset County Democrats last week backed Jaffer for the Assembly, as did Democrats in South Brunswick.
Zwirahn said he would work to provide hazard pay for frontline workers during the pandemic and to improve ballot designs in the Garden State, among other things.
“My first-hand experience as a minority and immigrant helps me understand the struggle of so many people in our community,” he said. “Now, I have a duty to serve as we continue to fight for a more progressive agenda that reflects the diversity of our growing constituency.”