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Awais Qazi
Awais Qazi (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Jersey General Assembly to represent District 29. Qazi lost in the Democratic primary on June 4, 2019.
Qazi completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2019
General election
General election for New Jersey General Assembly District 29 (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for New Jersey General Assembly District 29 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Eliana Pintor Marin (D) | 40.9 | 8,994 |
| ✔ |  | Shanique Speight (D) | 39.4 | 8,664 |
| John Anello (R) | 7.7 | 1,689 | ||
| Jeannette Veras (R) | 7.0 | 1,535 | ||
 | Yolanda Johnson (Jobs, Equal Rights Party) | 2.8 | 609 | |
| Nichelle Velazquez (Jobs, Equal Rights Party) | 2.4 | 524 | ||
| Total votes: 22,015 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 29 (2 seats)
Incumbent Eliana Pintor Marin and incumbent Shanique Speight defeated Awais Qazi and Steve Jose Poveda in the Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 29 on June 4, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eliana Pintor Marin | 45.9 | 4,084 |
| ✔ | | Shanique Speight | 43.7 | 3,891 |
 | Awais Qazi | 5.5 | 486 | |
| Steve Jose Poveda | 5.0 | 445 | ||
| Total votes: 8,906 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 29 (2 seats)
John Anello and Jeannette Veras advanced from the Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 29 on June 4, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Anello | 52.8 | 434 | |
| ✔ | Jeannette Veras | 47.2 | 388 | |
| Total votes: 822 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Awais Qazi completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Qazi's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Securing State Funding to replace all lead infrastructure and to ensure all residents have access to clean and safe drinking water. End Corporate Welfare. Repeal the Economic Opportunity Act, which created the Economic Development Authority, and replace it with a tax incentive program/grant program that provides funding to small and medium sized businesses owned by people of color and minorities while also creating grant programs that fund non-profit institutions that provide much needed services to communities in need. This includes creating free addiction counseling clinics, free job training and grooming services to help our homeless population get back on their feet, and creating grants so that local residents can purchase property and refurbish them into affordable housing units. Legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes and simultaneously expunging the records of non-violent marijuana related offenders. In addition to that, we need to ensure that people that were charged with non-violent, marijuana related charges are the first to get licenses to open up their own dispensaries. It is not only important that we correct the disproportionate incarceration of communities of colors in relation to marijuana, but we also ensure that they are the first to profit off a new, booming marijuana-based industry.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Climate change. I believe climate change is the biggest threat that has ever faced out planet. If we continue polluting our planet at the same pace we currently do, in 11 years, there will be no turning back and we will see climate-change related disasters increase in frequency and impact. We cannot let our planet get to that point. We can create a brand new economy based on investing in innovation and alternative energy. This will create new jobs for local residents and also save our planet.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I don't just look up to one person. I'm inspired by a movement that we are seeing throughout our country. There are so many people across the country that are becoming more politically engaged and more aware about the issues that affect us all. My biggest inspiration in running for office was when I attended the Sunrise Movement's sit-in in Nancy Pelosi's office in December of 2018. I had stumbled upon an email invite and was curious as to what was going on and decided to take off work and drive to Washington DC. I was expecting a group of adults were going to walk us through the planning and help us orchestrate the sit in. But the reality was that the people that organized and executed this display of civil obedience were 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 year olds. They were people that were younger than me and they successfully brought people from all around the country and planned the most thought out action I had ever witnessed. The people that planned that sit in inspire me. The people that came from across the country inspire me. The millions of people that stand up for the issues they believe in inspire me. There is so much inspiration across our nation..we just have to open our eyes and see it more clearly.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I can't think of anything off the top of my head. My political philosophy is all about communication and engagement. I want to know what the biggest concerns are that my residents are facing and I want to be accessible always to understand them and talk through their concerns.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Transparency. Honesty. Integrity. A willingness to listen. An interest in the community. I think politics needs to change dramatically. Elected elections need to become more integrated into communities and should be spending most of their time engaging with constituents and addressing their concerns.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Empathy. Passion. Bravery. Eagerness to help. My goal is to step up when no one else chooses to step up and to work as hard as I can to best understand the concerns of my district and to best represent my constituency.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Creating laws that effect all people in our State. Determine where our State resources are allocated.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I want to make it clear that anyone, from any background, despite their race, their country of origin, or their age, can get elected into office. We need to change the definition of a politician and get more, hard working individuals to run for office. People who have lived in their communities for their whole life and are interested in making their area better.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
September 11th, 2001. The tragic attack that shook our nation. I was in First Grade at the time. The implications of the attack did not immediately become clear to me, but it changed my life forever. No ever looked at me the same afterwards. I had teachers that "disciplined" me and sent me to the back of the classroom. Throughout my entire early life, through elementary school, through middle school, and through high school, it had become impossible to avoid being associated to those attacks in what was described as humor. I was picked on and treated differently. The thing is, I never reacted. I treated people who made fun of me the same way as I treated anyone else. I was able to develop a thick skin and make it through those years. In fact, I had a particular friend who had made fun of me consistently, and at one point, he said to me that he had said so many mean things about me and had made fun of me so many times, but no matter what he said, I always reacted in a positive way. He decided to stop making fun of me and ended up being one of my closest friends in High School.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was as a salesman for Newspaper subscriptions in Princeton. I was 16, on working papers, and primarily working for commission. For every subscription we got, we earned a set amount of many as well as an hourly payment. This was an exhilarating experience and allowed me to meet so many incredible, unique personalities. Our work was entirely Door to Door Sales.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I actually have never been on a date. Still looking for that perfect someone!
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas. My parents did not celebrate it, however, I plan on celebrating it when I have my own family. I really love the idea of getting together, decorating your house, bringing family together, and exchanging presents. It just seems like the most incredible time and the greatest way to consistently show your appreciation for the people you love the most.
What is your favorite book? Why?
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Taught me a lot about human nature and how to really make a positive impression on the people around me. Taught me everything I know!
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I would be Harry Potter. His bravery and willingness to stand up to fight for others, despite the costs and sacrifices, is incredibly inspirational.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
I have a beautiful painting in my apartment, painted by one of my closest friends. It really means the world to me. You can tell there was a lot of thought and care put into this painting and it means the world to me. Also, it really spruces up the place. I also have a fun pillow that was gifted to me by another dear friend of mine. I am the biggest fan of Taylor Swift in the world and a friend of mine used photoshop to put pictures of me together with Taylor. It was extremely fun, thoughtful, and sweet. Makes me really happy.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco!
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I have not been as close as I could be with my family. It's a bit personal. I have always been a little distant. I moved out of the house immediately after high school and stayed in Newark. Things are getting better, but I do wish that I had a stronger relationship with my family. There are just a lot of personal factors that I need to overcome.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
I think the State Assembly requires a lot of collaboration, teamwork, and negotiation. While there is only one State Senator representing each district, there are two members of the Assembly. What that means is there needs to be a strong dialogue between both elected representatives to ensure that they are best representing the views of the district. This includes extensive communication between the two Assembly members but also makes it necessary to really engage with the constituency and understand their stances and positions and make sure that both elected representatives are aligned with the interests of the constituency.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Not necessarily. What is more important is that they should be heavily engaged with their community and to work to best understand the concerns of a majority of the people in their district.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Reversing our Financial Situation. We need to make immediate headway in divesting in Corporate Welfare and provide much needed property tax relief to working people while also ensuring that the services that are most important are fully funded. We need to create a more Progressive tax code that includes a Millionaire's Tax. We need to re-impose the Estate Tax. And we need to end loopholes and Corporate Subsidies. With the funds raised from those actions, we can fully fund the more critical aspects of New Jersey such as Education and Infrastructure Investment, including the replacement of Lead Water Pipes.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
We should be working together to best represent the interests of the people of New Jersey. We all need to do a better job of engaging the electorate and getting their perspectives on the most pressing issues that exist in our State. We need elected officials to work in unison with the Governor and with the constituents.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. I believe that is the most effective way to build consensus. While we all may disagree on specific policies, there are also a significant amount of areas of overlap. As an elected official, we need to find the overlap and work together to keep making progress.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Have the lines be drawn by a group of Non-Partisan citizens. Ensure a thorough vetting process to prevent bias. Include people from all major political parties.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Budget, Education, and Environment.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Not sure.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Not at this time. I am only interested in running for State Assembly to serve the people of Newark and Belleville. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed in this district and they are currently not being addressed.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
Yes. I went to a meeting hosted by the NRDC and the Newark Water Coalition. An Educator of a local Elementary School spoke up and mentioned that she has been seeing more and more kids with learning disabilities, year over year. This concerns me because high volume of lead in the bloodstream can lead to learning disabilities in children. I fear that this is happening as a result of the consumption of water that is unsafe. I don't believe enough action is being taken. Right now, there is an eight year plan in place to replace lead infrastructure in Newark. In addition to that, residents are being asked to pay $1000 to have the pipes replaced. If something like this happened to my little brother, I do not know how I would react. There are kids who's futures are on the line. We need to do everything we can to protect them and make sure that residents are not being charged an obscene amount of money to solve a problem that they did not cause.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
