She is an attorney, who has worked as a financial analyst too.
AB Wire
Edison Township Councilwoman Sapana Shah has announced her candidacy for a soon-vacant New Jersey Assembly seat, pledging to be “an outspoken, faithful advocate” for people and families who live and work the 18th District’s seven communities.
“I am seeking this Assembly seat because want to do more to protect and improve the quality-of-life for people and families in Middlesex County and across the state,” said Shah, in a statement.
Gov. Chris Christie’s recent nomination of N.J. Sen. Peter J. Barnes III to the state Superior Court has had a ripple effect in Middlesex County Democratic circles. With Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan favored to replace Barnes in the Senate, an Assembly vacancy will become available.
“Time and again, as an Edison council member, I have demonstrated that I am unafraid to speak out for what is right – especially on issues of government spending and public safety – even when doing the right thing is not the most popular thing,” Shah said, according to a press release.
“I am unashamed to stand up for my beliefs. One of my closely held beliefs is that my duty is to be an outspoken, faithfully advocate for the people who trusted me enough to elect me. I would not betray their trust or compromise my values,” Shah said.
In the next week or so, over 300 county Democratic Committee members from East Brunswick, Edison, Helmetta, Highland Park, South Plainfield and South River will convene to select a Senate successor for Barnes and an interim Assembly member.
“Other Democrats may try to claim that this Assembly seat is already theirs. But, nothing is a done-deal until our Democratic Committee members vote,” Shah said. “I am reaching out to fellow committee members, learning about their issues and concerns, and working hard to build bridges between our communities.”
An Edison council member since 2014, Shah previously served on the Edison Board of Education member and was former council liaison to the township Planning Board.
An attorney in private practice, Shah, 39, is a seasoned civil and criminal litigator who also serves as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in Jersey City. She is past-president of the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association.
A graduate of John P. Stevens High School in Edison, Shah has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and she worked as financial analyst for Dun & Bradstreet before graduating from Albany Law School.