Candidate Profile: Delegate Jay Jalisi For House District 7

BALTIMORE, MD — There are 32 candidates looking to fill the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives left vacant by Elijah Cummings, who died Oct. 17. Patch asked them to describe their qualifications and visions for District 7, which includes parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County.

Eight Republicans and 24 Democrats are running in the special primary, which will be Tuesday. The special election will be April 28, the same day as the Maryland primary.

Delegate Jay Jalisi, 54, is running for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat.

Age (as of Election Day)

54

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

No

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

M.D.

Occupation

Medical doctor, 31 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Delegate at Maryland General Assembly - District 10

Campaign website

www.DrJayForCongress.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have been in elected office for the last 5+ years as a member of the Maryland General Assembly’s House of Delegates. I got elected to serve the people of Maryland. Now, with this Congressional seat vacancy due to the sad demise of my longtime friend and mentor Congressman Elijah Cummings, I decided to run to continue his mission and serve the people of Maryland and make good policies for people across the country.

Why do you think you would be a good U.S. representative for District 7?

Due to my legislative experience and the training and knowledge I got from Congressman Elijah Cummings, I think I am best suited for this job and can hit the ground running from my first day in office.

If elected, what would be your three key priorities in the U.S. House?

Reduce crime, improve health care and help small businesses to create more jobs.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

No other candidate has both the legislative experience and an intimate knowledge of this congressional district as much as I do. There are some legislators running, but they never worked with Congressman Cummings so don’t know the district, and there are those who were close to him but don’t have any legislative experience. I am the only one in this race who has both.

How would you approach representing a district that includes one of the wealthiest counties in the nation as well as a city where more than 20 percent of people live in poverty?

Each of the jurisdictions has different issues which need to be tackled differently — with honesty, transparency and dedication.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My education and work experience as a medical doctor and then as a delegate who was twice elected by huge vote margins to a significant portion of this congressional district show my dedication to public service.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Be true to your constituents!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have been a committed public servant for many years, both as a medical doctor and a delegate in the Maryland Assembly, and have always served the people and not any special interest groups or lobbyists, and that’s what the residents of Congressional District 7 need and deserve. Due to my legislative experience and mentoring by Congressman Cummings, I will be able to get to work for them from day one and produce the best results.