Who Will Speak for You?
The 2026 CD-12 Primary Election
In partnership with our sponsoring organizations and community members, New Jersey People's Coalition hosted a nonpartisan candidate forum on March 13th at The College of New Jersey, with special guest Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman in attendance. The forum which was open to the public gave voters an opportunity to hear where the candidates stand on the issues that matter to New Jerseyans ahead of the June 2nd primary.
Watch the recording below (skip to 11:30 for start of questions/answers)
Forum Sponsors
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Candidate Questionairre
We reached out to all candidates running in the 2026 Primary Election for New Jersey’s 12th District with a questionairre. Below are those who answered and attended the forum. Click on their photo for the questions and their responses.
Matt Adams
Elijah Dixon
Dr. Adam Hamawy
Kyle Little
Shanel Y. Robinson
Squire Severance
Sujit Singh
Jay Vaingankar
Sam Wang
Matt Adams
What inspired you to run in CD12? What have you done in this district, either as an elected official or in another capacity, to improve the lives of working families and advance progressive change?
I was inspired to run in CD-12 because I felt it was time to show Americans that a politician can lead with staunch integrity, empathy, and sincerity. Many Americans feel disillusioned by today's political leadership, and we need candidates who are steadfastly honest, service-oriented and transparent.
As a former Councilman in my hometown of Middlesex, I worked tirelessly for my constituents by helping modernize local government and initiating the process that secured major flood protection for the town. Because of that effort, working families in Middlesex are now poised to see the long-standing threat of devastating flooding significantly reduced.
As a former Commander of American Legion Post 306, one of my proudest accomplishments was recognizing the immense talent of one of our few female members, asking her to serve as my second-in-command. She later became the Post's first woman Commander and she has done an outstanding job. She only needed someone to push past the outdated thinking of the decades-long male leadership model so that she could shine - and shine she has.
As the father of a disabled young man,and as an attorney unafraid to navigate complex administrative systems, I have spent years advocating not only for my own child but also for other families whose children were not receiving adequate services. I helped parents learn how to advocate effectively for their children so they could secure the support their families needed. I further advocate for our disabled population by serving as President of the Arc Foundation of Somerset County.
The federal budget reflects one's values and priorities. If elected, what would your top 3 priorities be and why?
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My number one priority would be rewriting the tax code to put more money back into the hands of our struggling lower- and middle-class families.
Second, in order to fund the foregoing tax cuts and other progressive initiatives, I would make cuts to the U.S. defense budget, as it is bloated and full of unnecessary and outdated programs. Because of my experience in both the United States Army and as an executive in the defense industry, I am well positioned to advocate for cuts while still preserving our national security.
Finally, I would advocate for changes in the tax code to allow tax-free growth of savings for a first-time home purchase (similar to the college savings "529" plan). The American Dream of owning a home has become just that, just a dream. We need to make it possible for our young families to plant roots and grow up and improve our neighborhoods in the same way my family did.
What is your vision for good governance and accountability to the people?
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Congress needs to immediately pass rules to forbid insider trading. The public perception of Congress is that our representatives are only in it for the money, and there may be some truth to that.
I believe in conducting oneself ethically at all times, and some have argued I do so to a fault. I am not only a US Army-certified ethics officer, but I have also ensured compliance with federal government ethics rules in the defense industry for much of my professional career.
I served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for a defense contractor, where I also held a Top Secret U.S. Government Clearance.
A Top Secret clearance is only granted to people who the Government has the utmost confidence will not be compromised. Anyone who knows me understands that my love of this country and my allegiance to it are uncompromising.
Who do you consider to be the most vulnerable communities in our district and how will you stand up for them?
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The most vulnerable communities in the 12th Congressional District are those living paycheck to paycheck. Those who have little or no healthcare to speak of and are one illness away from complete devastation. Minorities with limited English proficiency who not only struggle to get through each day, but must face the judging eyes of an increasingly scornful public.
I will stand up for these people by first spending time with them, and learning more about their challenges. My office will have dedicated staff ready and willing to help in whatever way possible, from ensuring public assistance reaches those who need it to working with appropriate agencies to resolve any of the myriad issues they face, including those related to immigration.
What three specific progressive goals will you pursue in Congress and what is your plan to make them viable?
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We need universal healthcare in the United States, and this will be at the top of my agenda. There is simply no reason that the wealthiest country on earth should have people one illness away from financial ruin. Healthcare is a right, not a perk of being a wealthy American.
Second, we need to ensure that no one goes hungry - no one. The cuts to SNAP have been harmful. But even before the cuts, obtaining SNAP benefits required an incredibly lengthy and intrusive application process. I worked hard to obtain benefits for a friend in town and was appalled at how suspicious the process was. It felt like the process was designed to exasperate people and force them to simply end their attempt to secure the benefit. Imagine such a thing - a process so exhaustive people choose to go hungry rather than hurdle the red tape. SNAP benefits need to be both available and obtainable through a reasonable process.
Finally, we need to make higher education available to everyone. I believe in the community college system here in the United States, and believe everyone should be entitled to attend, regardless of financial ability.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the United States' current foreign policy.
The United States foreign policy has degraded to the point where our national security is in grave peril. Throughout my thirty year Army career, I trained alongside many of our NATO allies. The camaraderie was palpable. As I learned during the training that led to my promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, the NATO alliance is a critical component of our National Military Strategy. But the Trump administration has soured this important alliance. The camaraderie is gone, and there is now a real question of whether NATO will stand behind the US when the chips are down.
I would also point out that the cuts to USAID have degraded our national security by reducing the U.S. role as a friend to emerging countries. These countries need help, and they will get it from whoever provides it, and offer their allegiance in return. One never knows when a friend will be needed.
While the U.S. military is the best-trained and best-equipped fighting force in the history of the world, and its men and women in uniform are the finest and bravest, the leadership of the Trump administration, particularly with regard to US foreign policy, has been a disservice to them.