CHRIS FISTONICH ANNOUNCES RUN FOR ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 16

PHD IMMUNOLOGIST, CYBERSECURITY ANALYST, OPERA SINGER, AND
ACTIVIST SEEKS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR 2021 ELECTION

PRINCETON, NJ — Chris Fistonich, PhD immunologist, cybersecurity analyst, opera singer, and
activist, announced today his candidacy for New Jersey’s 16ᵗʰ Assembly District. Fistonich, 30,
received his PhD in Immunobiology from Yale University, and would be the youngest member of the New  Jersey General Assembly if elected. Chris currently teaches microbiology at Rowan
University and immunology at Caldwell University. Concurrently, Chris works as a cyber threat
analyst for Malwarebytes and has done so for over a decade.

“Central New Jersey has a longstanding history of electing scientists to public office, including
former Congressman Rush Holt and current Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker. I hope to continue that
tradition, as having scientists in office is critical to creating a data-driven approach to a range
of policies from combating the pandemic to voting reform, immigration, and affordability.”

Chris credits his upbringing and his parents, who immigrated to the United States several decades
ago, for his ambition and work ethic.

“I am a son of immigrants. As a first generation Croatian-American whose parents left
everything behind to create a new life in America, I reflect on all of the opportunities afforded
to me every time I work to accomplish something new. I recognize that many are denied those same
opportunities and plan to make equity a focus of this campaign. I hope to make my parents proud.”

Chris co-leads an online organization, VoteDEM, which since 2018 has raised nearly two million
dollars to help elect Democratic candidates at the federal, state, and local level. He is serving
his third term on the Princeton Community Democratic Organization’s Executive Board, and was
elected to the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee in 2020.

“With a short learning curve, a thirst for knowledge, and an analytical mindset, I have the
background and drive needed to make a substantial difference in the Assembly. I am passionate about
expanding the range of voices heard in our political process, and I aim to increase voter
engagement and turnout beginning with this election. I want to instill the fact that what our
government does at the state level is often even more important to our daily lives than what goes
on in Washington, D.C. It would be a great privilege to serve the needs of New Jersey District 16.”

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