Mahmoud Desouky
I’m officially announcing my candidacy for NJ State Assembly—the 16th District. I’m confident with your help, we can win a seat in this year’s Democratic Primary—June 10th. This is a grassroots campaign challenging the current incumbents. Our Assembly Members have ignored our needs. Enough is enough and there must be change to the establishment. This is not my campaign, this is OURS. A fight for OUR communities, a fight for OUR youth and a fight for justice and humanity.
Living in America as a young activist and as a former student leader at Rutgers University, Mahmoud understands firsthand the importance of free speech in our daily lives and how crucial it is for our First Amendment rights to be upheld, especially under the vicious attacks by the Trump administration. Mahmoud believes that free speech is a pillar of democracy and is of utmost importance when fostering innovation, civic engagement and providing an environment where a community can thrive. However, we find that today, many of our voices are getting suppressed–whether in schools, workplaces, or even online spaces. Mahmoud believes that protecting free speech is about upholding our constitutional rights and ensuring that all residents, regardless of background or belief, can participate fairly in the public discourse.
In the past few years, we’ve seen growing concerns over speech restrictions on college campuses and other public spaces nationwide. As an Assembly member, Mahmoud will never fail to support legislation advocating for free expression, especially regarding college campuses and workplace settings. Mahmoud will fight to ensure that New Jersey remains a place where diverse perspectives can be shared openly and respectfully. Whether it’s ensuring that students can engage in meaningful debate or that small business owners can advocate for their needs without fear of backlash, Mahmoud will work to safeguard free expression for all.
The Trump administration has actively sought to undermine our First Amendment protections, introducing dangerous precedents threatening these rights, however, Mahmoud aims to ensure that no political agenda can erode the fundamental freedoms that allow our communities to thrive. For Mahmoud, free speech is more than a legal right. It is a fundamental value that must be protected.
As a young person and small business owner, Mahmoud Desouky understands the affordability challenges that families and individuals in New Jersey face daily. Mahmoud believes it is critical to enact policies that lower the cost of living, improve housing accessibility and supply, and support economic stability for all Jerseyans. With New Jersey residents paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation, struggling to afford rising rents and home prices, and facing a shortage of over 200,000 housing units, Mahmoud will prioritize solutions that address these pressing issues. As a State Assemblyman, Mahmoud would support a temporary cap on all rent increases across the state at cost-of-living adjustments to stabilize costs and support regulations on private equity and investment firms from pricing out every-day families and aspiring first-time homeowners.
Over 100,000 residents, many of whom are young people like Mahmoud, are eligible to purchase a home but can’t dream of affording a mortgage payment. New Jersey offers programs to assist homeowners and renters, such as the Anchor Property Tax Relief Program and affordable housing initiatives, but too many residents are unaware of or unable to access these resources. As your Assemblyman, Mahmoud will advocate for increased funding for affordability programs, ensure these measures are accessible to those who need them most, and work to broaden economic opportunities for families in LD-16.
In the face of rising costs and a growing wealth gap, Mahmoud promises to be a fighter for New Jersey residents. He will champion innovative, practical solutions to make life more affordable while creating opportunities for economic mobility and prosperity. Together, we can build a New Jersey where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.
As a young person, Mahmoud is acutely aware of the current climate crisis that residents of New Jersey face. Mahmoud believes it is imperative to champion policies that promote a clean environment and the advancement of clean energy. That is why on his first day as a State Assembly member, Mahmoud will co-sponsor or support legislation such as the “Climate Superfund Act”, the “Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act”, and resolutions to require data centers to obtain their electricity from new zero- or low-emission sources of energy.
New Jersey has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035, underscoring the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability and economic growth, and as an Assembly member Mahmoud will ensure that NJ stays on track to achieving environmental sustainability and a just energy transition for all.
The state has approved a new cycle of energy efficiency programs starting January 1, 2025, through its public electric and gas utilities. These programs aim to enhance energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support building decarbonization efforts. Given rising energy costs in the State this summer, Mahmoud will work to make sure that the residents of LD-16 are aware of these cost-cutting measures available to them and will work to broaden energy affordability for all New Jerseyans.
The Trump administration is on its way to undermine our progress towards a clean energy transition with all of its regulation rollbacks, but Mahmoud promises to be a fighter for the State of New Jersey. Mahmoud believes by holding big corporations accountable for their pollution and environmental negligence, enhancing collaboration with clean energy and environmental advocacy groups, and by not abandoning our environmental stewardship, we can ensure a healthier environment and a sustainable future for all of New Jersey!
As a fourth-generation Plumbing & Heating family business owner, Mahmoud Desouky knows the struggles of small business owners and is determined to see legislation passed that assist these businesses in growing, stabilizing, and creating jobs within New Jersey’s economy. Nearly 50% of New Jersey’s workforce is employed by small businesses like Mahmoud’s family business, making them the economic backbone of the state. The local economy of LD-16 is built upon a broad mix of small businesses, from construction and trade services to retail and hospitality. High operational costs, complicated regulations, and a lack of access to financing are some of the obstacles that small business owners must overcome.
As a State Assemblyman, Mahmoud will strive to improve efficiency and reduce red tape to allow small businesses to save money. Mahmoud will introduce legislation to set up a Small Business Regulatory Review Board which would simplify and expedite compliance procedures while cutting down on needless bureaucracy. To make sure small businesses can afford to grow in the long run, Mahmoud will also make it possible for more small businesses to get tax relief by expanding the eligibility criteria for the New Jersey Business Tax Credit Program.
To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in small business ownership, Mahmoud would establish a New Jersey Small Business Growth Fund to support historically disadvantaged neighborhoods through low-interest loans and grants for new and growing enterprises. In order to help the small businesses of New Jersey thrive again, Mahmoud Desouky will work to reduce bureaucracy, increase access to financing, improve workforce development, and encourage innovation. Small businesses in LD-16 will get stronger, new employment opportunities will flourish, and the middle class will become more stable and prosperous as a result of these initiatives.
Women in New Jersey continue to face persistent structural barriers that limit their economic mobility, personal safety, healthcare access, and representation in leadership. As a candidate deeply committed to social justice and community empowerment, I believe that when we invest in the success, safety, and dignity of women—especially working-class women, women of color, and immigrant women—we create a stronger, fairer New Jersey for everyone.
- Protection from Gender-Based Violence:
Every woman has the right to live free from violence and fear. I will support legislation that expands access to trauma-informed, culturally competent resources for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. This includes increasing funding for emergency shelters, legal assistance, and survivor-centered advocacy organizations. I will also push for stricter enforcement and accountability measures around harassment in both public and private workplaces.
- Economic Equity and Support for Working Women:
Women, particularly mothers and caregivers, are more likely to be underpaid, overworked, and economically vulnerable. I support stronger pay equity enforcement, increased access to paid family leave, and the expansion of affordable, high-quality childcare across the state. I will advocate for targeted investments in women-owned small businesses and create grant pathways for entrepreneurs from underserved communities. A just economy requires policies that support both breadwinners and caregivers.
- Healthcare Access and Maternal Health:
All women deserve comprehensive, affordable healthcare. I will work to expand access to reproductive healthcare, mental health services, and preventive care—particularly for minorities and immigrant women who face higher risks of complications and disparities in treatment. I support patient-centered healthcare solutions that respect diverse values and lived experiences while protecting the right of individuals to make informed choices within their moral framework.
- Representation and Leadership
New Jersey must do more to elevate women into positions of power and leadership. I will advocate for gender representation benchmarks on public boards and commissions, and support mentorship and civic engagement programs for young women and girls. Representation is not just symbolic—it is essential for building equitable policy outcomes that reflect the lived realities of all communities.
This campaign is grounded in fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all. As your Assemblymember, I will work to ensure that every woman in New Jersey—regardless of background, status, or zip code—can live, work, and lead with the safety, respect, and support she deserves.
New Jersey’s immigrant communities are the backbone of our economy, culture, and neighborhoods. As the son of Egyptian immigrants, I know firsthand the sacrifices and aspirations that define the immigrant experience. Yet too many of our neighbors live in fear—facing legal uncertainty, economic hardship, and unjust barriers to opportunity. As your Assemblymember, I will champion legislation that protects immigrant rights, ensures access to services, and builds a more inclusive and just New Jersey.
Legal Protection and Due Process
I will advocate for a statewide “Access to Counsel” program to provide free legal representation to immigrants facing deportation, asylum seekers, and families in need. I support strengthening and codifying the Immigrant Trust Directive to stop local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE and ensure that state funds are never used for immigration enforcement.
Access to Services and Education
Our undocumented neighbors deserve equal access to healthcare, housing assistance, and worker protections without fear of deportation. I will fight to expand tuition equity, financial aid, and scholarship access for undocumented students and Dreamers, and increase funding for English-language learning, citizenship classes, and civic education programs.
Economic Justice and Civic Inclusion
Immigrant workers face some of the harshest labor conditions. I will enforce stronger wage and workplace protections, and support state-backed grants and microloans for immigrant-owned small businesses. I will also explore expanding local voting rights to legal permanent residents in municipal and school board elections, ensuring all residents have a voice in the future of their communities.
New Jersey must not simply tolerate immigrant communities—it must invest in them. I am committed to building a state where every resident, regardless of immigration status, can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.