Indian-American Democratic Party activist and small-business owner in New Jersey, Vin Gopal, has formally announced his run for the New Jersey state Senate. Gopal has recently stepped down after serving four years as the chair of the Monmouth County Democratic Party. He is credited with engineering several electoral victories to mayoral, city councils and the state assembly. The Indian-American community is very enthusiastic in the district and the state, about his race.
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“There’s a lot of excitement about it. Indian retailer, pharmacists and other organizations have come out in support. So have some hoteliers, physicians, business owners, attorneys,” he said.
His first fundraiser is in the home of a Bangladeshi-American couple Nasreen and Ghulam Suhrawardi in Colts Neck, N.J. He estimates that the cost will be around $2 million and is counting down.
A lifelong Monmouth County resident, born in Neptune Township and raised in Freehold and having grown a business from ground up. Gopal said one of the first things he will take up if elected is crushing the red tape on small businesses in the state and bringing down property taxes.
“I love the State of New Jersey and I believe it is headed in the wrong direction,” Gopal said while announcing his candidacy.
He will be running with Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey and said that he will be canvassing all residents, voters and non-voters. “As long as they are legal and paying taxes, they have a voice,” Gopal said.
“I think both parties have failed on this issue and I want to go in and try to bring some consensus and work hard to really help the taxpayers of the state,” he said.
Gopal has previously served on the Board of Directors for the now Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce where he chaired as the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. He is the past-President of the Hazlet Township Business Owners Association and a past-Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County.
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He has served as a volunteer EMT for the Colts Neck and Freehold First Aid Squads, responding to hundreds of 911 emergencies. He currently volunteers with the Long Branch Fire Department. Gopal is the Founder and President of a 501c(3) organization dedicated to helping Monmouth County charities and individuals in need.
By Premji
