AISSA HEATH AND RICKY CASTANEDA CHALLENGING JAMEL HOLLEY
AND ANNETTE QUIJANO FOR NJ ASSEMBLY

Union County needs new leadership to stand up for working families

Aissa Heath and Ricky Castaneda have announced their candidacies to run for State Assembly in New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District. Both life-long residents of Elizabeth, Heath and Castaneda believe that bold, progressive change can wait no longer.

“Marginalized communities need unapologetic voices standing up for them in our statehouse,” said Heath. “We cannot compromise our values when it comes to seeking racial justice and criminal justice reform in our district and state.”

Heath and Castaneda have both previously run for office; Heath for Union County Freeholder in 2020 and Castaneda for Elizabeth Public Schools school board in 2016 and 2017. In Heath’s run for Freeholder, she received more votes than any other 2020 candidate in Union County while not holding the coveted ballot line with her Democratic opposition. If elected, Castaneda will be one of the youngest elected officials ever in the history of New Jersey.

“People are frustrated with the out of touch politicians who currently represent us,” said Castaneda. “We need someone who will fight for a higher minimum wage, tuition-free public college and universities, and guarantee healthcare to all New Jerseyans, regardless of immigration status.”

Along with running for office, they are both longtime community organizers and advocates, belonging to many grassroots organizations such as the Progressive Democrats of New Jersey (PDNJ) and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Heath and Castaneda join Jason Krychiw, who announced his candidacy for State Senate in December, as progressive challengers to the Senate and Assembly incumbents in the 2021 Democratic primary in LD20. The trio are fighting to address issues like affordable housing, expanded access to healthcare, and fairer wages and benefits for the working class.