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Askar Mirza | |
|---|---|
| Commissioner of Parks and Public Property | |
| Assumed office May 28th, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Wanda C. Portorreal |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Rutgers University Bergen Community College |
Askar Hussain Mirza[1] (born October 7, 2004) is an American politician, campaign operative, and activist.
He currently serves as the Commissioner of Parks and Public Property in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Mirza was sworn in as Commissioner on May 28, 2024, after securing a two-vote victory against incumbent Commissioner Mark Olson earlier that month.[2][3] This victory made him the youngest elected official in Ridgefield Park’s history.[4]
In addition to his role as Commissioner, Mirza is a member of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families Youth Council, which advises on improving DCF programs and encourages youth participation in decisions affecting children and families.[5][6][7] A registered Republican, he serves as a committeeman on Ridgefield Park's delegation to the Bergen County Republican Organization.[3]
Biography
editMirza was born in New York City, New York, after his parents immigrated from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States in 2001. Upon moving to Ridgefield Park, he attended Lincoln Elementary School and Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School.[8][9] He currently attends Rutgers University, having transferred from Bergen Community College in 2024.[10][11]
Born to a Muslim family, Mirza converted to Christianity as a teenager.[10] He later interned at Ranch Hope, a faith-based congregate care organization. He has also served as an intern for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the District 37 Legislative Office, in addition to working on several political campaigns in and around Bergen County.[12]
Elective Office
editMirza declared his candidacy for the Ridgefield Park Board of Commissioners on February 13, 2024, opting to run independently for one of the five at-large seats.[9]
In the May 14 Ridgefield Park municipal election, Mirza was elected alongside four of the five incumbent commissioners seeking re-election, defeating former Commissioner Mark Olson by a margin of two votes.[2][3] Perennial candidate Theodore Tabasco also ran as a challenger but was not elected.[13]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Adam MacNeill (incumbent) | 645 | 62.9 | |
| Independent | John H. Anlian (incumbent) | 604 | 58.9 | |
| Independent | Wanda C. Portorreal (incumbent) | 588 | 57.3 | |
| Independent | William G. Gerken (incumbent) | 585 | 57.0 | |
| Independent | Askar H. Mirza | 516 | 50.3 | |
| Independent | Mark Olson (incumbent) | 514 | 50.1 | |
| Independent | Theodore Tabasco | 495 | 48.2 | |
| Total votes | 1,025 | 100.0 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Askar Mirza | Village of Ridgefield Park NJ". www.ridgefieldpark.org. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ a b c "COMMISSIONERS REORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES RIDGEFIELD PARK" (PDF). ridgefieldpark.org. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ a b c Wildstein, David (2024-05-21). "Askar Mirza, 19, ousts Ridgefield Park incumbent by two votes". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "Gen Z's Political Priorities Feel Both Fresh and Familiar | Notes from America with Kai Wright". WNYC Studios. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "About NJYRS". New Jersey Youth Resource Spot. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "Youth Council". New Jersey Youth Resource Spot. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ Brier, Bobby (2024-09-03). "Youth mental health still a concern in new school year". NJ Spotlight News. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "Arbor Day Videos | Village of Ridgefield Park NJ". www.ridgefieldpark.org. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ a b "Askar Mirza Announces Campaign for Ridgefield Park Commissioner". InsiderNJ. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ a b "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ The NJ1ST Podcast (2024-09-13). Commissioner Askar Mirza - Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Retrieved 2024-10-16 – via YouTube.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Fargnoli, Jessica (2023-04-17). "Askar Mirza". Bergen Community College. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ Wildstein, David (2024-05-14). "Fifteen N.J. municipalities holding non-partisan municipal elections today". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 2024-10-16.