By going to the polls this past Election Day, our community helped ensure that the American Dream is alive and well. Though I was just four years old when I came to the U.S. from India, after completing my education in science, economics and law, I imagined that one day the skills I acquired would be beneficial to the community, which had provided me with these gifts.
I began my career in public service as an assistant district attorney and my nomination as the Democratic and Working Families Parties candidate for the Nassau County Legislature’s 17th Legislative District was not only a continuation of my personal commitment to serving our community, but it was also the continuation of my American dream.
As many of you know, I never intended to become a politician. However, assisting seniors and working families in their fight against unscrupulous bank foreclosure and helping pass new legislation to protect consumers in New York from financial fraud and corruption provided me invaluable insight into the legislative process. Following this, the dire economic conditions faced by so many members of our community confirmed to me that the time to get involved in local politics was now.
Over the course of my campaign, I knocked on countless doors and met with thousands of our neighbors without regard to their political membership. My News12 debate was televised and placed online to be viewed on the Internet and my Newsday endorsement came only after suitable responses to numerous questions posed by its experienced and well-informed editorial board. Those who put the best interests of our community before divisive party politics quickly realized that my candidacy represented an opportunity for our community to achieve what it had never achieved before; electing a politician who shares not only the fiscally conservative views and traditional American values of the majority of our community but also possessed with the background, experience, initiative and compassion required to protect and enhance the safety and economic future of all its citizens.
Unlike other candidates, my positions on issues such as taxes, the Lighthouse Project and consolidation were not based on party ideology but on pragmatism honed by proven problem solving experience. As a result, by the end of my campaign I had gained supporters from all political parties.
Like many, I am disappointed and concerned about the alarmingly low voter turnout for such an important local election. However, the support I received from voters at their doorstep and at the polls on Election Day was not only humbling but also confirmed the strong public demand for capable, competent and qualified elected officials who seek office out of concern for all the citizens of our community regardless of political affiliation.
I thank the members of our community for their support and for the kind words of encouragement they have given me not only before the election, but also afterward. Rest assured that my commitment to utilizing my experience as a prosecutor and my background in economics to address our most pressing problems such as crime, high property taxes, unemployment, government waste and corruption has not diminished.
I congratulate Rose Marie Walker for her successful election to the Nassau County Legislature. During a private moment in the campaign, I promised Ms. Walker that regardless of the outcome of this election I would be willing to work with her to address the difficult issues that confront us. I believe that this type of cooperation is essential to ensuring the future success of Nassau County and I look forward to being of continued service to our entire community.
Arshad Majid
Democratic candidate
17th Legislative District
