Saddam Salim

[{"question": "Video for Ballotpedia", "answer_html": "<div style=\"float:left\">\n<table cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"wikitable\" width=\"205\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td><div class=\"thumb embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"width: 258px;\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideo autoResize\" style=\"\"><!--\n--><div class=\"embedvideowrap youtube\" style=\"width: 250px\"><iframe allow=\"accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"141\" loading=\"lazy\" modestbranding=\"1\" src=\"//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/tlcBBLUEq5k\" width=\"250\"></iframe></div><!--\n--></div><!--\n--></div><span style=\"font-size:80%\">Video submitted to Ballotpedia<br/>Released March 15, 2023</span>\n</td></tr></tbody></table></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>", "answer_text": "Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released March 15, 2023"}, {"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Saddam Salim completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Salim's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading-bio-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOriginally from Bangladesh, Saddam Azlan Salim came to the US at 10 years old and worked his way from homelessness to success with his family in Falls Church. He attended Northern Virginia Community College and received a bachelor's and master's in public administration from George Mason University. Now a financial consultant in Northern Virginia, he has served as Finance Vice-Chair for the Fairfax County Democrats, co-Chair of South Asians for America, and Vice President of Fairfax Young Democrats.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading-key-message-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Gun Violence Prevention: Virginia should have an assault weapons ban, more regulations on gun sales, and other common sense gun control solutions to improve public safety.</li><li>Affordable Housing: Saddam Salim will fight for the expansion of affordable housing options in our region. He will work to create more financial incentives and a more streamlined process for localities to construct affordable housing.</li><li>The Future of Virginia: We need to ensure full reproductive rights, rights for LGBTQIA+ people, a clean energy plan, economic sustainability and diversity equity and inclusion - in sort, a focus on the future and not the failed policies of the past.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading1-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAffordable housing is very important to me because I've been homeless before and I've struggled to get affordable housing in this region, so I know how much it matters to quality of life, to education, to socioeconomic opportunity, etc. I'm also passionate about reproductive rights because I've seen first hand how much it matters - my mother's life was saved by reproductive healthcare and I know it is vital that people be able to make decisions with their doctors without government interference. I'm also passionate about Virginia's future - as a person of color, an immigrant and a young person, I know we have a lot of challenges ahead of us and we must begin now to pave the way for a brighter future for all Virginians.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading2-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI admire Nelson Mandela because no matter what he was going through, he stayed true to his purpose and fought for human rights. I hope I can stay focused on what's really important like that as a state legislator.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading3-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIntegrity - people have to know that the person they've elected will be true to their word<br/>\n<p>Honesty - people have to be able to hear the truth from their elected leaders<br/>\r\nCompassion - people need a leader who can empathize and understand what they are going through<br/>\n</p>\nInclusivity - people need leaders who care about including as many diverse voices as possible in the decision making process\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading4-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a very honest person and I'm very mild-mannered - I tend to react in a very patient manner under stress. I think it's very important to know all the facts before I act - I like to talk to as many people as I can and understand things from multiple perspectives before I proceed. I've been called a \"pragmatic progressive\" before and I think that captures a lot about my personality as well.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading5-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1) Be responsive and available to your constituents.<br/>\n<p>2) Be a voice in your community on the issues that are important to your constituents.<br/>\r\n3) Be honest and accountable for your role as a state leader.<br/>\r\n4) Be willing to do the work to get people to come to the table and negotiate to solve problems.<br/>\n</p>\n5) Be steadfast - see the work through to the end. When a legislator commits to getting a piece of legislation passed, they should consider that a commitment they've made no matter how long it takes.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading6-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would like to help usher Virginia into a new era of progress and prosperity. I would like to significantly contribute to address climate change and preparing the next generation for what it will take to get us ready for that. I'd like to know that I did something to expand human rights in Virginia, particularly for vulnerable groups that haven't always received the equality they have long deserved.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading7-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe first historical event I remember is the 1998 flood that hit my home country of Bangladesh. It destroyed my home and was the catalyst for my family coming to this country. I was 8 years old at the time.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading8-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy first job was as a cashier at Video Warehouse after high school. It only lasted a month because they went out of business in summer of 2008.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading9-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t\"Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth and Happiness\" - I feel like everyone should read this book in order to have some insight about how to thrive on a personal level.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading10-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy first name is Saddam, and that name has some cultural connections that are negative for some people based on our history with another famous Saddam. I've received some hate mail and some threats for having that name. My family has also struggled with poverty as immigrants in this country - we were briefly homeless and it took us a while to get on our feet when we first arrived here. But we worked together and overcame the obstacles in our path - I'm very proud of how hard we've worked in this country to get where we are.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading11-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe ideal relationship is one of mutual respect and cooperation. When we work together, the legislature and the governor can achieve a lot together in terms of making people's lives better and improving our economy so the commonwealth thrives.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading12-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI think our greatest challenges will be about whether we embrace the needs we have for the future - addressing climate change, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, guaranteeing and expanding reproductive rights, protecting vulnerable communities like our LGBTQIA+ population, protecting the right to vote, improving our electrical grid and investing in infrastructure, etc. - over the failed policies of the past. We should not be moving backwards but forward into a new future for Virginia, one that is inclusive, one that embraces our freedoms and protects our vulnerable populations and seeks to give everyone a seat at the table.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading13-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIt can be beneficial, but we also need to give first time officeholders a chance to participate and to learn. New leadership can also expand what we're able to do in the legislature - new voices help us better understand what people need.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading14-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes, I think relationships are at the heart of what we do. Both relationships with our constituents and relationships with each other matter quite a bit. We need to stay in touch with the people who voted us into office so we know what they are thinking, what they need, what they are going through. And we need to have congenial, respectful relationships with our colleagues, so we can get things done together.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading15-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI admire State Senator Janet Howell for her ability to work on our state budget - I would like to be someone who can do that in the Senate. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading16-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tAre you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAt the moment, I'm focused on serving at the state level.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading17-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI spoke to a constituent while door knocking who talked to me about the needs of their trans child - it impacted me deeply because I realized how bullied and scared families of trans people are feeling because of the many challenges to their rights moving through state legislatures right now. It. made me realize that we have to support people right now, the way that my community (the Muslim community) was supported during Trump's Muslim ban.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading18-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tShould the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI think we should have some oversight of that power.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading19-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe dialogue and compromise are part of what we do to get legislation passed. We have to be willing to hear what the other side is thinking about and what they value, and we need to work to find common ground when we can, so we can do things together whenever possible. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading20-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first bill you would introduce if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI want to introduce some legislation related to bringing down maternal mortality statistics - particularly in terms of requiring hospitals to invest in equipment that helps them respond when there is an emergency postpartum.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading21-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSteve Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney<br/>\n<p>Buta Biberaj, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney<br/>\r\nParisa Dehghani-Tafti, Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney<br/>\r\nBlue Virginia<br/>\r\nDelegate Joshua Cole<br/>\r\nVirginia Former Secretary of Education Atif Qarni<br/>\r\nRepro Rising Virginia<br/>\r\nBilly Bates, City Councilmember, City of Fairfax<br/>\r\nMo Seifeldein, former City Councilmember, Alexandria<br/>\r\nPeg Willingham, Former Falls Church City Democratic Committee Chair<br/>\r\nRobert Rigby, Co-Chair of FCPS Pride<br/>\r\nAndrew Goddard, Legislative Director of Virginia Center for Public Safety<br/>\r\nSouth Asians for America<br/>\r\nIndian American Impact<br/>\n</p>\nProgressive Democrats of America<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-179946-2023-05-06\" id=\"heading22-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-179946-2023-05-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat committees interest you?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading22-179946-2023-05-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-179946-2023-05-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tFinance interests me because of my background. The Local Government committee interests me because I believe supporting our municipalities and counties are incredibly critical to the Commonwealth's success. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nSaddam Salim completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Salim's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Originally from Bangladesh, Saddam Azlan Salim came to the US at 10 years old and worked his way from homelessness to success with his family in Falls Church. He attended Northern Virginia Community College and received a bachelor's and master's in public administration from George Mason University. Now a financial consultant in Northern Virginia, he has served as Finance Vice-Chair for the Fairfax County Democrats, co-Chair of South Asians for America, and Vice President of Fairfax Young Democrats. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Gun Violence Prevention: Virginia should have an assault weapons ban, more regulations on gun sales, and other common sense gun control solutions to improve public safety. Affordable Housing: Saddam Salim will fight for the expansion of affordable housing options in our region. He will work to create more financial incentives and a more streamlined process for localities to construct affordable housing. The Future of Virginia: We need to ensure full reproductive rights, rights for LGBTQIA+ people, a clean energy plan, economic sustainability and diversity equity and inclusion - in sort, a focus on the future and not the failed policies of the past. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Affordable housing is very important to me because I've been homeless before and I've struggled to get affordable housing in this region, so I know how much it matters to quality of life, to education, to socioeconomic opportunity, etc. I'm also passionate about reproductive rights because I've seen first hand how much it matters - my mother's life was saved by reproductive healthcare and I know it is vital that people be able to make decisions with their doctors without government interference. I'm also passionate about Virginia's future - as a person of color, an immigrant and a young person, I know we have a lot of challenges ahead of us and we must begin now to pave the way for a brighter future for all Virginians. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I admire Nelson Mandela because no matter what he was going through, he stayed true to his purpose and fought for human rights. I hope I can stay focused on what's really important like that as a state legislator. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Integrity - people have to know that the person they've elected will be true to their word Honesty - people have to be able to hear the truth from their elected leaders Compassion - people need a leader who can empathize and understand what they are going through Inclusivity - people need leaders who care about including as many diverse voices as possible in the decision making process What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am a very honest person and I'm very mild-mannered - I tend to react in a very patient manner under stress. I think it's very important to know all the facts before I act - I like to talk to as many people as I can and understand things from multiple perspectives before I proceed. I've been called a \"pragmatic progressive\" before and I think that captures a lot about my personality as well. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? 1) Be responsive and available to your constituents. 2) Be a voice in your community on the issues that are important to your constituents. 3) Be honest and accountable for your role as a state leader. 4) Be willing to do the work to get people to come to the table and negotiate to solve problems. 5) Be steadfast - see the work through to the end. When a legislator commits to getting a piece of legislation passed, they should consider that a commitment they've made no matter how long it takes. What legacy would you like to leave? I would like to help usher Virginia into a new era of progress and prosperity. I would like to significantly contribute to address climate change and preparing the next generation for what it will take to get us ready for that. I'd like to know that I did something to expand human rights in Virginia, particularly for vulnerable groups that haven't always received the equality they have long deserved. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The first historical event I remember is the 1998 flood that hit my home country of Bangladesh. It destroyed my home and was the catalyst for my family coming to this country. I was 8 years old at the time. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first job was as a cashier at Video Warehouse after high school. It only lasted a month because they went out of business in summer of 2008. What is your favorite book? Why? \"Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth and Happiness\" - I feel like everyone should read this book in order to have some insight about how to thrive on a personal level. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? My first name is Saddam, and that name has some cultural connections that are negative for some people based on our history with another famous Saddam. I've received some hate mail and some threats for having that name. My family has also struggled with poverty as immigrants in this country - we were briefly homeless and it took us a while to get on our feet when we first arrived here. But we worked together and overcame the obstacles in our path - I'm very proud of how hard we've worked in this country to get where we are. What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature? The ideal relationship is one of mutual respect and cooperation. When we work together, the legislature and the governor can achieve a lot together in terms of making people's lives better and improving our economy so the commonwealth thrives. What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade? I think our greatest challenges will be about whether we embrace the needs we have for the future - addressing climate change, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, guaranteeing and expanding reproductive rights, protecting vulnerable communities like our LGBTQIA+ population, protecting the right to vote, improving our electrical grid and investing in infrastructure, etc. - over the failed policies of the past. We should not be moving backwards but forward into a new future for Virginia, one that is inclusive, one that embraces our freedoms and protects our vulnerable populations and seeks to give everyone a seat at the table. Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics? It can be beneficial, but we also need to give first time officeholders a chance to participate and to learn. New leadership can also expand what we're able to do in the legislature - new voices help us better understand what people need. Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer. Yes, I think relationships are at the heart of what we do. Both relationships with our constituents and relationships with each other matter quite a bit. We need to stay in touch with the people who voted us into office so we know what they are thinking, what they need, what they are going through. And we need to have congenial, respectful relationships with our colleagues, so we can get things done together. Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? I admire State Senator Janet Howell for her ability to work on our state budget - I would like to be someone who can do that in the Senate. Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future? At the moment, I'm focused on serving at the state level. Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? I spoke to a constituent while door knocking who talked to me about the needs of their trans child - it impacted me deeply because I realized how bullied and scared families of trans people are feeling because of the many challenges to their rights moving through state legislatures right now. It. made me realize that we have to support people right now, the way that my community (the Muslim community) was supported during Trump's Muslim ban. Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers? I think we should have some oversight of that power. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? I believe dialogue and compromise are part of what we do to get legislation passed. We have to be willing to hear what the other side is thinking about and what they value, and we need to work to find common ground when we can, so we can do things together whenever possible. What is the first bill you would introduce if elected? I want to introduce some legislation related to bringing down maternal mortality statistics - particularly in terms of requiring hospitals to invest in equipment that helps them respond when there is an emergency postpartum. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Steve Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Buta Biberaj, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Blue Virginia Delegate Joshua Cole Virginia Former Secretary of Education Atif Qarni Repro Rising Virginia Billy Bates, City Councilmember, City of Fairfax Mo Seifeldein, former City Councilmember, Alexandria Peg Willingham, Former Falls Church City Democratic Committee Chair Robert Rigby, Co-Chair of FCPS Pride Andrew Goddard, Legislative Director of Virginia Center for Public Safety South Asians for America Indian American Impact Progressive Democrats of America What committees interest you? Finance interests me because of my background. The Local Government committee interests me because I believe supporting our municipalities and counties are incredibly critical to the Commonwealth's success.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]