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.