Press Room

AAI in the News

Arab Americans Question Candidates

By Kibret Markos
New Jersey Herald News
Posted on Monday October 6, 2003

Candidates running for office in New Jersey have learned to notice the 240,000-plus people of Arab descent living in the state. And this year, Arab-American communities are commanding even more attention in hotly contested districts where their votes could decide the elections.

“Our community is growing and is a serious political force to be reckoned with,” said Abed Awad, chairman of the Democratic Caucus of the Arab American Institute, which held its third New Jersey Candidates’ Night on Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Totowa.

Candidates for state Senate and Assembly in several districts, as well as freeholder candidates in Passaic County, spoke about their platforms at the event, which was attended by about 100 people.

“Election issues will be issues for Arab-Americans as they will be for everyone else,” said Awad.

“And the same thing with the other issues: the economy, taxes, the war in Iraq. They will be an issue not just for Arab-Americans but also for every American,” he said.

Property taxes were the main topic at the event on Sunday. Almost all of the candidates pledged to work to reduce taxes if elected or reelected, and residents cast doubts on their statements with a series of questions.

Republican freeholder candidates in Passaic County blamed the Democratic-controlled government for spending too much money without a strategy.

“We need to learn to do strategic planning in government,” said John Traier of Clifton, a Republican freeholder candidate seeking a first term.

“Business does it all the time, but too often we never plan in government,” he said.

Democratic freeholder candidates defended their records and blamed most of the county’s ailments on the Republican Party, which controlled county government before Democrats took over in 1998.

Democratic Freeholder Lois Cuccinello, who is seeking reelection, said her party has managed the county debt well and recently set up a county improvement authority to help small businesses and reduce taxes.

Her running mate, Freeholder Sonia Rosado, who is also seeking reelection, said county government has strengthened economic development.

Candidates for Senate and Assembly debated the alternatives the state can take to reduce property taxes and school funding.

Frank Fusco of Clifton, a Republican candidate for Senate in the 34th District, promised to bring more state funds to his district if elected.

Democratic candidates for Senate and Assembly from the 14th District called for “the political will in the Legislature” to deal with the issue of property taxes and school funding.

Sunday’s event was the third candidates’ forum to be organized by the Arab American Institute in as many years. Last year the forum included Sen. John Corzine, former Sen. Robert Torricelli, and Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. of Paterson, all Democrats.