Adrian Ghainda

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Adrian Ghainda

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 6, 2023

Education

Bachelor's

New Jersey City University, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Jersey City, N.J.

Religion

Agnostic

Profession

Community organizer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Adrian Ghainda (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners to represent District 2 in New Jersey. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 6, 2023.

Ghainda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Adrian Ghainda was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He earned a bachelor's degree from New Jersey City University in 2020. His career experience includes working as a community organizer.

Ghainda has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Progressive Democrats of Hudson County
• Progressive Democrats of New Jersey
• Voters of Tomorrow New Jersey
• North New Jersey Democratic Socialists of America
• Hudson County Democratic Socialists of America
• Pi Sigma Alpha

Elections

2023

See also: Municipal elections in Hudson County, New Jersey (2023)

General election

General election for Hudson County Board of County Commissioners District 2

Incumbent William O'Dea won election in the general election for Hudson County Board of County Commissioners District 2 on November 7, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	William O'Dea (D)	97.8	5,597
		Other/Write-in votes	2.2	126

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,723
= 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Hudson County Board of County Commissioners District 2

Incumbent William O'Dea defeated Adrian Ghainda in the Democratic primary for Hudson County Board of County Commissioners District 2 on June 6, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	William O'Dea	68.5	2,951
		Adrian Ghainda	31.3	1,351
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	9

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,311
= 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

Ghainda received the following endorsements.

• Gen Z Runs
• Our Revolution New Jersey
• Progressive Democrats of New Jersey
• Run for Something
• Vote Pro-Choice
• Voters of Tomorrow New Jersey

Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Adrian Ghainda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ghainda's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Adrian is a lifelong Jersey City resident and community organizer running for County Commissioner.

Adrian has worked in progressive politics since he was a student at New Jersey City University. He’s worked on the People Over Profits Ballot Initiative to get more affordable housing in Jersey City.

An alum of Movement School and Arena Academy, Adrian has participated in political training programs in the progressive space to bring the knowledge he learned to make Hudson County an equitable place for all.

An organizer by heart, Adrian is the Special Projects Director of Voters of Tomorrow New Jersey, a youth-led organization that empowers members of Gen-Z to be politically active. Adrian is a chapter member of the Progressive Democrats of Hudson County and the Hudson County Democratic Socialists of America having organized as a Field Coordinator for the Right to Counsel efforts in Jersey City.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• An affordable Hudson County for all
• Transparency in all Political Processes
• A Greener Hudson County

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm passionate about climate change, affordable housing, tenants' rights, creating equity for the working class, education, civics, safe streets and so much more.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to a lot of organizers in Jersey City, NJ. However, if I truly had to pick someone I look up it would be my parents. They left their homes in Guyana to create a life for themselves in a foreign country. As soon as they found out they were pregnant with me they immediately gave their lives to make sure I never had to struggle the way they did. They put a roof over my head, gave me a chance at an education they couldn't have, and loved me unconditionally through the journey of childhood, puberty, college, local organizing, and deciding to run for office.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I would recommend

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe honesty, integrity, a drive to bring positive change, a responsibility to educate, and a drive to build with everyone are a few principles and characteristics I believe are essential for any elected official.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am very attentive to details. I love reading and re-reading documents just to make sure I fully understand what I'm reading. I'm never afraid to ask questions. I am curious to a fault sometimes! I thrive on communication, and using the knowledge I have to educate others. The main reason I studied Political Science in undergrad was to take everything I've learned and spread that knowledge to everyone I can reach. The reason I'm running for Commissioner is to educate everyone on the political processes of Hudson County and to show them that we shouldn't be afraid to want and seek change.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities to someone elected to the Board of Commissioners are as follows: a duty to serve all constituents, a duty to create inclusive spaces, and a duty to educate residents on how to be politically active.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

9/11. I was 3 years old at the time and I vividly remember the broadcast for Sesame Street getting interrupted by the emergency service signal and wondering what was going on.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was an intern through the Jersey City Summer Internship Program where I was working with the United Way of Hudson County for two months.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I love Coldplay and listen to them a lot. Warning Sign will always be stuck in my head.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Being a first-generation college graduate, mental health is often a struggle I find myself dealing with. Imposter syndrome is another component of mental health I deal with on a regular basis. This is why I see a therapist and encourage anyone struggling with mental health to try to get help.

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

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Hudson County Board of County Commissioners District 2

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