Razi: New leadership means a new generation at the local level
CJN contributor Sara Razi shares her view on how a new generation of leaders can step up to the plate.
The political atmosphere in New Jersey needs to change and that change begins at the local level.
For far too long, politics in our state has revolved around whether candidates love or hate President Trump, while everyday issues affecting working families continue to worsen. In towns across New Jersey, residents are facing rising municipal debt, higher taxes, and skyrocketing utility bills, and many feel disconnected from the people elected to represent them. Local government should focus on solving local problems, and not fueling endless political division.
This is why I decided to step forward and become part of a new generation of leadership by running for Town Council in Freehold Borough. As a Pakistani American, political activist, grassroots organizer, former real estate law paralegal, and real estate developer, I have spent years working directly with people from all walks of life, in both politics and the legal profession. My experience has shown that residents are tired of political theater; they want affordability, transparent leadership and a government that listens.
Over the past six years, I organized petition drives, rallies, and grassroots campaigns at Rutgers University, one of the most politically active campuses in the state. Through that experience, I learned how to build coalitions among students with very different beliefs and backgrounds. Whether advocating for bodily autonomy, organizing student initiatives, and providing support for student government campaigns, I saw firsthand that meaningful progress happens when people focus on shared concerns instead of partisanship.
This same principle is what inspired me to run for Town Council in Freehold Borough as an independent-minded Republican. As a resident of Freehold Borough for 13 years, I have watched the cost of living dramatically rise while many residents struggle to get by. Over the last five years, municipal debt has grown, utility costs continue to increase, and taxpayers are forced to suffer financially. The residents of Freehold Borough deserve a representative on Borough Council who has the courage to ask difficult questions about government spending, transparency, and long-term financial planning.
It has become increasingly clear that many younger voices are missing from local government. In Freehold Borough, the same perspectives have dominated decision-making for years, while younger generations remain largely absent from the conversation.
Bringing in a new generation of leadership means bringing fresh ideas and renewed energy to the issues that matter most. Conversations about special needs advocacy, housing affordability, lowering the gas tax escalator, and municipal debt are often overlooked in local politics, despite directly impacting families every day.
That is why I am running for Freehold Borough Council: to bring new ideas, stronger accountability, and a voice that will fight for residents first.
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Sara Razi is an award-winning medical freedom activist and the former New Jersey State Chair of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). While at Rutgers University, Razi became a prominent leader in opposing COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates, organizing rallies and petitions that drew significant attention. She also spearheaded the formation of the largest conservative and libertarian coalition on campus, bringing together Rutgers YAL and Rutgers TPUSA.
Known for her leadership, public speaking, recruitment strategies, grassroots organizing, and coalition-building, Sara has made a lasting impact in both political and community spheres. Beyond politics, she has experience as a Real Estate Law Executive Assistant for over two years and is currently a Realtor Associate and a Marketing Specialist, and member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR)
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