By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — Resident Kamal Khanna has tossed his hat in the ring for a seat on the Legislature.
Current State Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-15) needs a running mate for next year. His fellow 15th District Democrat, Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, resigned her seat this month after winning the 12th District Congressional seat of the retiring Rep. Rush Holt. Her winning created the open Assembly seat, which has a year left on its term.
The 15th Legislative District encompasses parts of Mercer and Hunterdon counties, including West Windsor, Lawrence, Hopewell Township and Borough and Lambertville. Democrats in the two counties will have to hold a convention to choose a replacement.
Mercer County Democratic Chairwoman Elizabeth Muoio, aligned with Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes, and Mercer County Freeholder Samuel T Frisby, aligned with Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson, have been mentioned in political circles as candidates.
In announcing his candidacy, former West Windsor Councilman Kamal Khanna said Monday that he is a “real consensus builder” who “wants to graduate up to the state level.”
A New Jersey resident for the past 35 years, he served on the West Windsor Township Council from June 2009 to December 2013. From January 2011 through December 2012 he held office as the council president. He also was a member of the Township Planning Board and of the Affordable Housing Committee.
Currently he chairs the West Windsor Democratic Committee and serves as vice president of the Mercer County Democratic Committee. He is also one of the Mercer County directors of the South Asian American Caucus of the Democratic State Committee.
As an assemblyman, he said he would like to serve the community, especially those who can’t help themselves.
“I would like to build consensus around key issues and get it done and direct all efforts toward things that matter to everybody, just standard things to start off with,” he said. “Property taxes are bothering everyone. Climate change is bothering everyone…Affordable education is dear to my heart and I’d like to accomplish campaign reform because I don’t like all the money spent on campaigns. You also look day by day and work on items to benefit the community, try to rise above the politics and try to do the best you can.”
After doing post-grad work at the University of Florida in efficiency engineering and management, Mr. Khanna worked for 10 years for a Fortune 500 company and then started his own business in New York City. His wife, Veena, is a physician.
