Taher Herzallah (Anoka County Commissioner District 7, Minnesota, candidate 2024)
Taher Herzallah ran for election to the Anoka County Commissioner District 7 in Minnesota. Herzallah was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Herzallah completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Taher Herzallah provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 1, 2024:
- Incumbent officeholder: No
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Elections
General election
General election for Anoka County Commissioner District 7
Taher Herzallah and Mandy Meisner ran in the general election for Anoka County Commissioner District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Taher Herzallah (Nonpartisan)  | |
 | Mandy Meisner (Nonpartisan) | |
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| = 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. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Herzallah in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Taher Herzallah completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Herzallah's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Currently, I serve as a commissioner on the Columbia Heights Parks and Recreation Commission, where I work to enhance our public spaces and ensure they are accessible to everyone. My vision for Anoka County is simple: I want to create a community that works for all of us, where every voice is heard, and every resident has the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.
This campaign is about building an inclusive, equitable future for Anoka County, and I’m committed to working with all of you to make that happen.- Building an Inclusive Anoka County: District 7 has historically been underserved, and I am committed to changing that. I will work to ensure our parks are maintained and accessible, keep the Anoka County DMV open and operating, and advocate for equitable resources for all communities. By prioritizing equity and inclusivity, I’ll ensure that Anoka County serves everyone, regardless of background.
- Support for Seniors and Families: As a father and son to senior parents, I understand the challenges families face. I’ll advocate for increased funding for elder services, expand transportation options, and push for affordable housing solutions to make Anoka County a place where families and seniors can thrive.
- Community Engagement and Transparency: I believe in an open, transparent government that actively engages with its residents. I will work to ensure that decision-making is a collaborative process, involving input from all members of the community to build a better future for Anoka County.
This position is vital for ensuring local issues are addressed while collaborating with broader governmental efforts to improve public services and infrastructure.
Brave New World critiques a society where state control, consumerism, and technology shape a world devoid of individuality and personal freedom. The novel resonates with my concerns about the risks of unchecked power, conformity, and the dehumanization that can occur when people sacrifice freedom for the illusion of stability.
Integrity: Officials should be honest and transparent, making decisions based on the needs of their constituents rather than personal interests.
Accountability: It’s crucial for elected leaders to be responsible for their actions, standing by their decisions and being open to scrutiny.
Empathy: Understanding and caring about the concerns of the community fosters better decision-making that reflects the needs of all residents.
Transparency: Open communication with the public helps build trust and ensures the community understands government actions and processes.
Commitment to Service: Officials should focus on serving their community, prioritizing public well-being over personal ambition.
Vision: A strong leader has a clear plan for the future, addressing both current issues and setting goals for long-term community success.
Collaboration: The ability to work well with others, finding common ground, and building partnerships is essential for effective leadership.
1. Budget Oversight and Fiscal Responsibility: County Commissioners manage the county’s budget, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely on essential services such as public safety, health services, and infrastructure. They must prioritize spending while balancing the needs of the community and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
2. Policy Development and Implementation: Commissioners play a crucial role in creating and enforcing policies that address the needs of their district. This includes policies around transportation, public health, parks, and social services, ensuring these services meet the needs of all residents.
3. Advocating for Constituents: Commissioners represent the interests of the people in their district. They must be accessible to their constituents, listen to their concerns, and advocate for their needs at the county level. This involves attending public meetings, engaging with residents, and making decisions based on the community's best interests.
4. Maintaining and Improving Public Services: County Commissioners oversee critical services such as law enforcement, public transportation, health care, and housing. Ensuring these services are accessible, efficient, and effective is a core responsibility.
5. Collaboration and Coordination: Working with other government officials, departments, and community organizations is essential. Commissioners must collaborate with local city councils, state legislators, and various stakeholders to ensure smooth operations and address issues that span across jurisdictions.
6. Land Use and Development: Commissioners make important decisions regarding land use, zoning, and development projects. This includes balancing growth with environmental protection and ensuring that development projects meet the long-term needs of the community.
For over 15 years, I have been deeply involved in city government and policy work. Serving as a commissioner on the Columbia Heights Parks and Recreation Commission has allowed me to focus on community spaces, improving public services, and engaging with local residents. My work in the non-profit sector has given me valuable insights into policy creation, advocacy, and public service, particularly in underserved communities. This experience enables me to tackle the unique challenges that arise in local governance, always with an eye toward equity and inclusion.
1. Leadership and Decision-Making: County Commissioners must be able to make informed decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term planning. They need leadership skills to guide the direction of policy and manage county resources effectively.
2. Budget Management: With direct oversight of the county budget, Commissioners need strong financial literacy to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. Understanding public finance, resource allocation, and fiscal responsibility is essential for funding essential services and managing tax rates.
3. Collaboration and Communication: Commissioners must work closely with city officials, state agencies, community organizations, and residents. Strong communication and collaboration skills are crucial for fostering relationships, resolving disputes, and ensuring that diverse voices are included in decision-making processes.
4. Policy Development: A deep understanding of public policy is key, as Commissioners shape and implement policies that affect housing, transportation, health services, law enforcement, and more. The ability to research, develop, and advocate for effective policies is critical for positive community impact.
5. Community Engagement: The ability to engage with residents and understand their needs is vital. Commissioners should be approachable, transparent, and responsive to their constituents, ensuring that their decisions reflect the values and priorities of the community.
6. Problem-Solving and Flexibility: Given the diverse issues that arise in county government, problem-solving and adaptability are crucial. Commissioners must be able to analyze complex situations and find solutions that serve the best interests of the community.
- Direct Community Impact: County Commissioners manage key services such as public safety, health services, parks, and infrastructure. Their decisions have a significant and immediate impact on the daily lives of residents.
- Balancing Local and Regional Interests: Commissioners influence both local and regional issues, from economic development to transportation. They ensure that county priorities align with broader regional and state initiatives while advocating for local concerns.
- Fiscal Oversight: Commissioners oversee the county budget, making decisions on how taxpayer dollars are spent. They ensure resources are allocated to essential services like law enforcement, public health, and infrastructure, and maintain fiscal responsibility to benefit the community.
- Policy Creation and Implementation: They have the authority to develop and enforce policies tailored to the county’s specific needs, ensuring that government actions directly address local challenges and priorities.
In my view, financial transparency means that every resident should easily access information about how their county operates, whether it’s how budgets are allocated, where public funds are invested, or the results of financial audits. This transparency empowers the public to actively participate in the democratic process, ask tough questions, and ensure that the county's financial resources are used responsibly.
Government accountability goes hand in hand with this. Elected officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity, making decisions in the best interests of the community, not for personal or political gain. For me, this means being open, accessible, and responsive to feedback. Whether it’s public meetings, budget discussions, or critical policy decisions, we must engage with our constituents every step of the way.
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
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
