Aizaz Gill, president of the Burholme Civic Association, will be running in the Republican primary in the 172nd Legislative District.
The primary is April 23. Democratic Rep. Kevin Boyle is seeking re-election.
“As the son of South Asian immigrants who was raised and educated in the Northeast, I understand the American Dream better than most. Unfortunately, because of politicians playing partisan games instead of focusing on the everyday needs of real people, that dream seems out of reach for too many,” Gill said. “I want to bring that dream back into reach: so people can achieve economic security, purchase a home, be safe in their neighborhoods, send their kids to strong schools that prepare them for the future, and actually retire with peace of mind.”
Gill, 31, said he is not a politician and will bring a “Northeast, common-sense approach to the issues.” His focus will be on public safety, inflation, the education system and good jobs.
Gill has lived in the Northeast since his parents immigrated to Pennsylvania from South Asia when he was 9 years old. He attended St. Cecilia, Father Judge High School and Chestnut Hill College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science.
“I was taught throughout my life that the greatest contribution you can make is helping others. That is why I have focused my professional career on positions that improve our communities, why I volunteered with charities throughout my life, why I give my time as president of the Burholme Townwatch & Civic Association, and why I am taking this step today,” Gill said.
After graduating from Chestnut Hill, Gill worked for city elections commissioner Al Schmidt (now Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth) as a community outreach coordinator, where he said he spearheaded outreach efforts to educate voters on the use of a new voting system in Philadelphia, battled misinformation as a frontline election worker and engaged community, local, state and federal institutions to collaborate on voter outreach and education. He was the first multilingual Asian-American hire for the Office of City Commissioners, he added, helping usher in more language accessibility.
Gill previously served as the Pennsylvania Policy Director for Business for America, a corporate alliance dedicated to strengthening democracy and facilitating a healthy business climate that fosters job creation for American families. In that role, Gill’s focus was to build coalitions and reduce political polarization, skills he said that will help him navigate divided government in Harrisburg to achieve positive results for the Northeast.
Last year, Gill served as campaign manager for Councilman Brian O’Neill, who had a surprisingly lopsided victory against a well-funded opponent.
Also last year, City & State named him to its Philadelphia 2023 “Forty Under 40” list, which the publication describes as “the next generation of rising stars in Philadelphia.”
Gill, who has raised slightly more than $50,000 so far, plans a grassroots campaign, focused first on knocking on doors to listen to concerns and ideas, and share his.
“You cannot truly be a representative for someone unless you’ve looked them in the eye and listened to what they want to tell you. I will work day and night to meet the voters of the 172nd District and do just that, so they know when I am in Harrisburg, I am truly working for what they want,” he said. ••
