Following is Delegate Saqib Ali’s press release announcing his Senate run.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 2010
Contact: Ben Shnider, (240) 242-9451, Delegate@SaqibAli.org
MARYLAND STATE DELEGATE SAQIB ALI ANNOUNCES THAT HE WILL RUN FOR STATE SENATE
District 39 Delegate begins his Campaign for State Senate on Local Talk Show, Challenges Incumbent to Debate
WASHINGTON,DC – Maryland State Delegate Saqib Ali (D-39) appeared on Kojo Nnamdi’s Politics Hour on WAMU this afternoon to discuss the state’s recent legislative session. During the broadcast Ali issued a surprise announcement that he intended to challenge the incumbent state senator from District 39, Nancy King.
“I am not running for the State Senate to fulfill any personal ambition,” said Ali. “I want to give the residents of District 39 the opportunity for a full and fair debate on a wide range of important issues. I will be an independent and authentically Democratic voice in the upper chamber of Maryland’s General Assembly.”
In the interview Ali argued that Annapolis’s “good old boy” network was obstructing needed progress in the State Capitol, citing as an example of the manner in which the alcohol industry successfully blocked legislation to keep convicted drunk drivers off the road.
“In Annapolis narrow but powerful special interests often prevail over Marylanders’ interests,” argued Ali. “This is wrong and I am running for State Senate to ensure that the concerns of our residents always come before those of well-funded lobbyists in Annapolis.”
Ali went on to indicate to Nnamdi that he would be willing to debate Senator King in the future on Nnamdi’s show and hoped that King would be willing to do the same.
Ali additionally highlighted his legislation to require the General Assembly to post members’ committee votes online. He also unveiled his new campaign website: http://www.Ali4Senate.com.
Ali, who lives in Gaithersburg, was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006 and represents Maryland’s 39th Legislative District (Gaithersburg, Germantown, North Potomac, Montgomery Village, Washington Grove and Derwood). In the private sector, he works as a software engineer. Ali received a Bachelors and Masters Degree from University of Maryland College Park in computer science. Ali and his wife Susan are proud parents of two young daughters Sofia and Sascha.
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