- Ali Sajjad Taj will face primary elections in June 2026.
- Taj's campaign aims to address issues affecting residents of D67.
- If he wins, he will be the first Pakistani-American in the California Assembly.
Pakistani-American Ali Sajjad Taj on Thursday officially announced his candidacy for California State Assembly District 67 in the 2026 election.
If successful, Taj will become the first Pakistani-American representative in the California State Assembly.
“I am honored to have the endorsements of so many distinguished individuals, including Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, who has represented this district for the past 12 years,” he said. Geo news in an exclusive interview.
“I intend to build a brighter future for all communities by focusing on education, public safety, affordable housing and economic growth,” he added.
Earlier in her endorsement of Taj, Quirk-Silva said, “Ali Sajjad Taj is a leader who truly understands the needs of our community and has the experience to deliver on his promises. I have no doubt that he will be an outstanding representative for District 67.”
Who is Ali Sajjad Taj?
Ali Sajjad Taj is currently serving as Mayor Pro Tem of Artesia for the third consecutive term. The city is located in District 67 which he intends to represent in the State Assembly.
She faces a primary election in June 2026. To that end, she has been building momentum since day one and plans to host a series of fundraising events in the coming months.
Previously, Taj also served as the 2022-2023 president of the League of California Cities, which comprises all 482 cities.
He is known for his humble attitude, collaborative approach and dedication to community improvement.
The State Assembly candidate's parents are from Lahore. His father, Shuja-ul-Hassan, was the chairman of Habib Bank Limited, who had moved to California a few decades ago and had also made a name for himself as a community leader.
Backups
In addition to Quirk-Silva, Taj has also secured endorsements from Senator Josh Newman (SD 29), State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (AD 73), Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco (AD 64), Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains (AD 35), Assemblyman Mike Gipson (AD 65), and Senator Bob Archuleta (SD 30).
Her campaign also has the support of a wide range of local leaders who recognize her dedication to community service, including:
- Los Angeles — County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchelle
- Artesia — Mayor Tony Lima and Councilmembers Rene Trevino and Monica
- City of Manalo in Cerritos: Mayor Naresh Solanki and Councilwoman Lynda Johnson
- Hawaiian Gardens — Mayor Victor Farfan and Council Members Luis Rao and Maria Teresa Del Rio
- Buena Park — Mayor Susan Sonne, Vice Mayor Joyce Ahn and Councilmembers Art Brown and Connor Traut
- Fullerton — Mayor Pro Tem Fred Jung
- La Palma — Mayor Mariscal Goodman
- City of Orange — Mayor Pro Tem Arianna Barrios
If he succeeds in securing the Democratic Party nomination to represent the District, Taj has a good chance of winning the seat.
District 67 is known to be a Democratic-leaning area and is home to East Asians. Most of the leaders of this community have already endorsed Taj.
Campaign Focus
In a formal document sent to the media, Taj's campaign said it was focusing on addressing critical issues affecting residents of District 67.
Their platform includes:
Education: The goal is to secure increased funding for public schools, provide additional resources for teachers and ensure that students have access to a high-quality education.
Public safety: He is committed to improving community policing, supporting law enforcement, and enhancing public safety in neighborhoods throughout the district.
Affordable Housing and Homelessness: Focusing on the housing crisis, Taj will advocate for the construction of affordable housing and programs to assist first-time homebuyers and renters.
Environmental sustainability: He has pledged to promote clean energy initiatives and support policies that aim to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.
Economic growth: He has promised to support small businesses, spur job creation and bring state resources to District 67 to foster economic development.
Seniors and Veterans: Taj has vowed to fight for Orange County seniors and veterans in Sacramento.
Looking at his political career, Taj seems to have taken the right approach to rise through the ranks.
He was first elected to the council and then became mayor. Now he is ready to move forward with his participation in the elections for the state assembly with the hope of running for Congress in the future.
