SRINAGAR: A Kashmir-origin woman is in the race for representing the New York-3 constituency in the American Congress. She is one of the six candidates seeking the Democratic Party endorsement for the race on August 23, the date for the primaries.
Reema Rasool is the daughter of Kashmiri physicians who emigrated to the USA in the 1970s. Single mom, and mother of two boys, she belongs to a family of physicians because both her parents, her uncle, her grandfather and brother – all are medical doctors. Reema lives in Oyster Bay and has the profile of being a businesswoman and a social entrepreneur.
An impressive talker, Reema has a BA and MA in creative writing from NYU.
“I’m running for Congress because I am sick and tired of the reality show-styled political rhetoric that has now become normalized,” Rasool says on her website. “I believe our representatives should focus more on health, economic, and environmental justice for our communities, rather than on themselves.”
The NY3 Congressional berth fell vacant after Tom Suozzi abandoned this Long Island-based congressional seat to run a losing campaign for governor. Several Democrats have thrown their hat into the ring to serve to succeed Suozzi, including former North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, current Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, and public relations maven Robert Zimmerman, wellness professional Melanie D’Arrigo and businesswoman Reema Rasool.
Zimmerman, a longtime Democratic National Committee member and fund-raiser, has racked up major endorsements — including Hillary Clinton and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli — as he battles against Lafazan, former North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, progressive activist Melanie D’Arrigo and businesswoman Reema Rasool.
Rasool, who is not a career politician, highlights the need to get “some real people” in Washington,” who can deliver real results for our Long Island and Queens neighbourhoods and families.”
She is the founder of South Asian Young Women Entrepreneurs (SAYWE), a not-for-profit trade organization for business-minded South Asian women. She ran an unsuccessful bid for Oyster Bay council last year, securing 18,000 votes.
The elections for the seat are taking place on November 8, 2022.
