InsiderNJ Election 2017: Women on the Rise
5 South-Asian Women on the Rise
Mishael Azam
Lobbyist for New Jersey Medical Society, previously, a top-aide to Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, Azam, a behind-the-scenes player, has deep ties to the South Jersey political establishment.
Shanti Narra
Elected to her first full-term, the Middlesex County Freeholder (pictured, with Assemblyman Raj Mukherji) made history as the first South-Asian Woman ever elected to a county-wide office anywhere in the county. The former North Brunswick Councilwoman is growing strength in the Indian-American dominated Middlesex County.
Ayesha Krishnan Hamilton
The West Windsor Councilwoman has been short-listed for County-Wide office in Mercer County. The serial relationship-builder was a frequent face at Murphy for Governor events.
Tahsina Ahmed
The top vote-getter of 4 candidates in Haeldon has close ties to State Chairman John Currie
Sangeetha Doshi
The Cherry Hill Councilwoman-Elect campaigned hard – a 21 year resident of Camden County – she built strong relationships with the growing South-Asian population in Camden County.
The veteran Senator will be tested with a key Mayoral Race in 2018 – Bayonne. The Senator has also been appointed in the Senate Leadership Team under Sweeney.
The Republican County Clerk and Right-Hand to Chairman Shaun Golden will have to decide soon if she will run for State Assembly in 2019. If Murphy’s approval rating are low, the 11th District could be competitive in 2019. Democrats will point to Houghtaling and Downey’s 6,000 vote margin.
The newly appointed Ocean Township School Board Member is Chief of Staff to the most powerful Democrat in NJ’s house caucus – Frank Pallone. All eyes will be on their involvement in other districts during the 2018 House Races.
The once LG Candidate who fell short surprised North Jersey players by backing Coughlin for Speaker and held onto her leadership spot. Does the Assemblywoman end up being a Coughlin ally over her North Jersey base? 2018 will tell.
President of Kivvit – Moran went all in LD-11 with Vin Gopal’s senate candidacy, backing him from day one. The relationship was already close even before the Laborers going all in for Gopal’s successful election. Moran picks up another Senate ally with her long-time friend Joe Cryan winning a Senate Seat in Union County.
The Republican Mayor of Hazlet Township defeated her opponent 57-43 in a crucial Bayshore town. Kiley is being courted for outgoing Freeholder Serena DiMaso’s seat. DiMaso was elected to the State Assembly in the 13th District.
The Princeton Public Affairs Lobbyist is serving on Murphy’s Transition Team for Budget. Zuk – previously the Political Director for JNESO Nurses Union and Chief of Staff to the last Democratic Nominee, Barbara Buono – looks to make an impact in 2018 with a Democratic Governor finally in place.
The two long-time Trenton insiders are rumored to end up in the Murphy Administration.
The Government Affairs Director for Planned Parenthood took a big risk opposing the Pro-Choice Senator Jen Beck. Her organization had a big victory in 2017 from the Governor’s Race all the way down the ballot.
A long-time political operative who worked for Congressman Steve Rothman and most recently for Millennium Strategies, Collazos has deep ties with the Hispanic community and was a key player in outreach for the Murphy Campaign.
Great list but missing one. Sheena Collum of South Orange! Doing great things up there.