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Freshta Taeb

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Freshta Taeb
Image of Freshta Taeb

Candidate, New Jersey General Assembly District 12

Elections and appointments
Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Notre Dame Academy High School

Bachelor's

City University of New York, Hunter College, 2004

Personal
Birthplace
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Profession
Mental health professional
Contact

Freshta Taeb (Democratic Party) is running for election to the New Jersey General Assembly to represent District 12. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. She advanced from the Democratic primary on June 10, 2025.

Taeb completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Freshta Taeb was born in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. She earned a high school diploma from Notre Dame Academy High School and a bachelor's degree from City University of New York, Hunter College in 2004. Her career experience includes working as a mental health professional.[1]

Elections

2025

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2025

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for New Jersey General Assembly District 12 (2 seats)

Incumbent Robert Clifton, incumbent Alex Sauickie, Kyler Dineen, and Freshta Taeb are running in the general election for New Jersey General Assembly District 12 on November 4, 2025.


Candidate Connection = 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.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 12 (2 seats)

Kyler Dineen and Freshta Taeb advanced from the Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 12 on June 10, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Kyler Dineen
 
52.3
 
10,769
Image of Freshta Taeb
Freshta Taeb Candidate Connection
 
47.7
 
9,831

Total votes: 20,600
Candidate Connection = 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 12 (2 seats)

Incumbent Robert Clifton and incumbent Alex Sauickie advanced from the Republican primary for New Jersey General Assembly District 12 on June 10, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Robert Clifton
Robert Clifton
 
53.1
 
13,683
Alex Sauickie
 
46.9
 
12,100

Total votes: 25,783
Candidate Connection = 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.

Endorsements

Taeb received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Freshta Taeb completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Taeb's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Throughout my career, I’ve remained committed to service. I’ve held leadership roles in nonprofits, including as Program Director for one of New Jersey’s largest domestic violence agencies. My passion for education led me to teach at the elementary and high school levels, and I now serve as a mental health professional and faculty member at Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs. There, I help shape future leaders and support underserved communities.

Serving veterans has been a deeply meaningful part of my journey—whether through disaster relief, law enforcement partnerships, or advocating for improved access to care. These experiences reinforced my belief in building systems that honor their sacrifices.

I co-authored a handbook on delivering services to vulnerable populations and own a business grounded in financial management. My work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times, and I’ve been recognized by InsiderNJ and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health for leadership and mental health advocacy.

As a mom and educator, I understand the challenges families face. I’m committed to working with parents and communities to create safe, empowering environments for our children.

At the core of my work is a mission to ensure that all people—regardless of background—feel seen, heard, and valued. By fostering inclusivity and compassion, I believe we can build stronger, more resilient communities.
  • As a former educator and teacher, I have firsthand knowledge of the challenges students face and the importance of funding programs that focus on student development and wellness. As a mother of two children who attend Old Bridge Public Schools, I understand the concerns of parents who want the best possible education and resources for their children. We cannot and will not continue compromising our children's futures.


    I will bring the voice of LD 12 to Trenton to secure the funding necessary to provide families with the quality education they deserve. Our tax dollars must be effectively allocated to support superior education, reinvesting in underfunded schools and promoting programs that enhance student well-being
  • The Problem: New Jersey is becoming unaffordable for families and young people. In 2021, 37% of families struggled to meet daily needs, and costs have only risen. Housing is 11% above the national average, with rents around $2,500 and home prices exceeding $500,000. My Experience: As a mom, small business owner, and Old Bridge resident, I see firsthand how rising costs impact families. Despite recent inflation stabilization, lasting effects remain. Housing is still out of reach for many, limiting opportunity and financial security. The Fresh Perspective: I will fight for affordable housing, smarter state spending, and policies that ease the financial burden on families and small businesses across New Jersey.
  • The Problem: New Jersey is home to over 350,000 veterans, many of whom feel overlooked. They face challenges like mental health issues, financial instability, and difficulty reintegrating into civilian life. We owe them real support and care. My Experience: As a healthcare provider and longtime veterans' advocate, I’ve seen the toll of PTSD and the barriers veterans face in accessing services. Supporting them is not optional—it’s a moral responsibility. The Fresh Perspective: I’ll fight in Trenton for expanded lifetime healthcare, stronger reintegration programs, and increased financial support. New Jersey must become the best state for veterans to live, thrive, and feel truly valued.
The Challenge:

Mega warehouse development is threatening towns like Millstone and Upper Freehold, where nearly 500,000 sq. ft. has already been approved. These projects bring traffic, pollution, and strain on local resources—without proper community input. LD12 families deserve smart, sustainable planning.

My Commitment:
As a former educator, I know the value of preserving our history and building livable communities. Sites like the Stein property are part of our legacy and must be protected.

The Fresh Perspective:

I support a statewide moratorium on mega warehouses until we fully assess the impact. Let’s prioritize clean air, farmland, and the health of our families over unchecked industrial growth.
The most important characteristics for an elected official are compassion, accountability, and a deep commitment to service. As someone who has worked as an educator, mental health professional, and advocate for veterans and underserved communities, I believe public servants must listen actively, lead with empathy, and prioritize the well-being of the people they represent. An elected official should also bring practical experience and a solutions-oriented mindset—someone who understands the challenges families face and is ready to fight for equity, access, and opportunity. Above all, integrity and transparency must guide every decision.
he core responsibilities of someone elected to this office include advocating for the needs of their community, ensuring equitable access to resources, and shaping policies that improve quality of life for all residents. As someone with experience in education, mental health, veterans’ advocacy, and nonprofit leadership, I believe this role demands a commitment to listening, problem-solving, and building systems that work for working families, students, and underserved populations. It’s about being a voice for those who are often unheard, holding government accountable, and making sure that every policy reflects compassion, fairness, and long-term impact.
I want to leave a legacy of service, compassion, and meaningful change. My goal is to build systems that uplift underserved communities, support families, and ensure every child has access to quality education and mental health resources. I hope to be remembered as someone who stood up for veterans, immigrants, and working parents—not just in words, but through action. Ultimately, I want future generations to live in a more inclusive, equitable, and caring New Jersey because of the work we did together to listen, lead with empathy, and create lasting impact.
Please see website as the list is growing: taebforassembly.com
Financial transparency and government accountability are essential to building public trust and ensuring that resources are used to truly serve our communities. As a small business owner with a strong foundation in financial management and someone who has worked closely with nonprofits and public institutions, I believe every dollar spent should be tracked, justified, and aligned with community needs. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being used, and elected officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity and oversight. I’m committed to open communication, responsible budgeting, and policies that put people—not politics—first.

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.

Campaign finance summary

Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 12, 2025


Current members of the New Jersey General Assembly
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Aura Dunn (R)
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Sean Kean (R)
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Al Barlas (R)
Democratic Party (52)
Republican Party (28)