Aizaz Gill
Republican
What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
I came to the U.S. as a legal immigrant with my parents when I was 9 years old. America – and Northeast Philadelphia – gave me the opportunity to succeed in life. That is an opportunity I have worked hard to seize (through my education and work) and that I have worked hard to pay back through my civic engagement, including today as the President of the Burholme Townwatch & Civic Association. My desire to run for State Representative is rooted in my desire to provide greater opportunity for everyone in my community to achieve their own American Dream. While I am proud to bring to this campaign my proven experience in the business, government and civic arenas and put that experience to work for my neighbors, it is my core desire to provide greater opportunity for all that will be the hallmark of my service.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I understand the struggles of the people of the Northeast because, like them, I have worked for everything in my life. Whether it was working hard in school at St. Cecilia’s, Father Judge and then Chestnut Hill College, or working hard in the real-world to get a job and move upward, what I have achieved has been through my own efforts. While I have been blessed by a supportive family, I have never had the privilege of “connections” and “insiders” pushing for me or bankrolling my campaign efforts. I think when you earn what you have through hard work, you look at the world differently.
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
I don’t have to “plan” to do this because working with people from across ideological lines is
what I have done every day – and I encourage people to check the record on this fact. When I worked in the Office of the City Commissioners, I dealt with Philadelphians of every political leaning to encourage greater voter participation and access. As the President of the Burholme Townwatch & Civic Association, I am proud to lead a group of citizens with diverse views toward reaching shared goals that protect and improve our local community. The key to crossing partisan divides is two things: independence and a focus on reaching a goal that helps the majority of people, and that is what I will bring to Harrisburg.
What would be your top three policy priorities in office?
1. Addressing crime and public safety
2. Combatting inflation to reduce costs for residents and businesses
3. Growing our economy to create jobs
The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections (www.principledcandidates.org) to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles?
I do support the Candidate Principles and actually have real-world experience in helping to
improve the voting process and promote civic engagement in our city from my time working in the Office of the City Commissioners, who are responsible for Philadelphia’s elections. Honesty, transparency, and respect however do not come from a statement of principles, they come from within the person – and I have worked hard in each of my personal and professional endeavors to follow these values.
