Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide a 150-word bio and respond to our questions within 700 words. We did not receive responses from John Temple (REP) the incumbent for District 52 by press time.
Ash Marwah (DEM)
BIO:
I am Ash Marwah of The Villages running for State Representative, District 52, which includes all of Sumter County and part of Hernando County.
I am married to Shashi, a retired Physician. We have 3 sons and 7 grandchildren.
I was born in New Delhi, India. I came to Carnegie Mellon University in 1969 for my M.S. in Civil Engineering and then decided to stay in the USA. I signed up for the Draft in 1970, got married in 1974 and became a citizen in 1977. We moved to Florida in 2017.
My priority would be to bring the Homeowners Insurance market into some stability. Also, I would work to rescind the law banning abortion in Florida after 6 weeks.
I am going to work on the issues of homeowners insurance and healthcare in Florida based on tested ideas to bring down housing costs, thereby reducing rents.
What are the critical statewide issues and/or projects that you will focus on if elected?
My Primary focus is going to be on reducing housing costs, especially the homeowners insurance costs which are driving up the rents also. My next priority would be women’s healthcare. I am hoping Amendment 4 would pass and we would be working on implementing it in Florida.
What are the critical local issues and/or projects you will support if elected?
I would like to see Teachers’ pay raised by the State. Currently the Teachers pay in Florida is next to the lowest after Mississippi. Also, we need to expand healthcare in Florida so that more Floridians are covered. 800,000 Florida residents have been dropped from healthcare this year and that is not good for the future of the State.
What is your motivation for running for office/ seeking re-election?
I find that the State is being run by giant Insurance companies and Developers who are large campaign donors to Republicans and the residents’ needs are being ignored, as in housing costs and women’s healthcare. I have met people during the campaign who are begging for food/groceries or whose electricity has been turned off for lack of payment. Working families are having a hard time making ends meet. I saw 300 cars line up every Wednesday morning at Lake Panasoffkee United Methodist Church for free food. Lake Panasoffkee UMC is feeding 900 people every week in this effort. This is happening in Florida, in our neighborhood. We need to change Florida so that people can afford to take care of themselves rather than depend on charity.
What significant achievement would you say is a highlight of your professional or political career?
Two years ago, when I ran for State Representative, I was able to put a hold on the Northern Turnpike Extension with the help of a lot of residents. I met Nichola Liquori, CEO of Florida Turnpike and told her that widening I-75 is a better option. My suggestion was accepted and everyone can witness the i-75 widening taking place right now, This year, I have been instrumental in putting a hold on Lake Panasoffkee Wastewater Treatment Plant, which would have played havoc with lives of people because they were going to be billed upto $52,000 each for the cost of this Plant.
What besides your experience makes you especially suited for this office?
My temperament and the fact that I have been able to build consensus on difficult issues. I will build consensus in the Legislature to have Bills passed for the good of the Florida residents
What do you believe are the core responsibilities of this office?
Take care of people, not giant insurance companies or Developers. That is my focus because that is the primary need right now to make life a little bit better for Florida residents who are spending more than 30% of their income on housing or who lack healthcare. 1/3 of the renters are in even worse shape, spending more than 50% of their income on housing which really leaves little to buy food and medicine and have a little something on the side for any emergency.
Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you have heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I was surprised to see 300 cars line up every Wednesday morning at Lake Panasoffkee United Methodist Church for free food. I walked through their Pantry, saw fresh food that was brought in and the food in their Freezers. But trying to look into the eyes of people who were coming in was the hard part. It made me think of what must have forced them to come to the Food Pantry in a rural area. These are the working people who cannot afford to live a decent life because of the high cost of housing and healthcare. Can we not change their fortunes? Are we so beholden to the large campaign donors that we are willing to neglect our own fellow human beings? I sure will work hard to change this scenario if I am elected.
