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UMME

SARAH
HOQUE
CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The here and now is all we have. And if we play it right, its all well need.
- Former Texas Governor Ann Richards

I am nominating because of the here and now. Our party and our country needs to be revived. And it is up to all of us
to play it right at this moment.

Growing up a woman, a first generation American of Bengali and Muslim heritage, a progressive in a small town in
Texas, I have learned the importance of the here and now - the moments that determine the outcomes for the future.
And the importance of bringing everyone together to address not only issues locally, but also Federally and even
internationally. I have seen individuals, communities and a society that needed - and needs - hope and a vision. And
the is what has motivated me throughout my life.

Inspired by the need to create this hope and vision for a better future, I have been involved in our Democratic party
for nearly 15 years. I have worked tirelessly in the deep South and mid-West to turn counties blue through personal
volunteering and professional work during the 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 elections before moving to Australia in
2011.

During my day job, I work in community and union campaigning, including organising and communications, to utilise
public interest and strength to ensure a better, more progressive future. I have been working for nearly 10 years to
motivate and move people, to engage them by tapping into their issues and activating them for a bigger fight and
to use this strength to influence decision makers and corporations to make real changes. My work experience is
available on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ummesarahhoque. It is these skills I want to bring to Democrats Abroad.

My passion and profession is social justice campaigning, fighting for the rights of workers, migrants, women and
environmental justice. I am passionate about building and exercising the power of the collective to win. Right now,
the US needs strong Democrats and our collective voice more than ever. We have an opportunity to revise the
narrative in the United States and harness the power of the resistance movement to be strategic and change the
future of our country. Our time is now, and we must utilise it.

That is why I want to utilise what we have here in Australia and now with this moment in the dark days of Trumps
presidency. Because I believe this is what we need to move forward, to move together and to be strategic and
thoughtful to give hope to Democrats in the US and around the world. Our role of Democrats is not to give up - it is to
respond, to be active and to be proactive in our belief for the future of our country.

I am motivated to nominate for Democrat Abroad positions because I believe that our party is in disarray. After the
horror of the 2016 election, it is important that we revive and rebuild our party to be one that leads with a vision
of what we believe in - social justice achieved through economic, gender and racial justice. Our differences make
us stronger, and by harnessing our collective power and wisdom, we can revolutionise our country to increase the
minimum wage, hold corporations to account, address wealth inequality, provide health care for everyone, address
climate change, and ensure and grow rights for all minority groups, including immigrants, LGBTQI people, disabled
individuals and everyone else.

If elected, I will work hard to make Democrats Abroad Australia an active chapter, organising and campaigning to
fix our party and influence fellow Democrats and our US politicians from half a world away. I will use the skills I have
developed through successful political and community campaigning to activate, develop and engage members and
involve Democrats Abroad Australia in the current fight at home.

If youd like to contact me with questions or ideas, please contact me at sar.hoq@gmail.com or 0468 427 640.

Thank you.

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