Tazeen Ahmad – Candidate for State Delegate, MD District 16 (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)

This post is part of the Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series. Candidates who did not receive the questionnaire via email or need more information can get access through our contact form. The information in this post was submitted directly by the candidate and does not represent the views of Moderately MOCO or its publication.

Basic Information

Political Party: Democratic

Campaign Website: https://www.tazeenformaryland.com/

Social Media: @tazeenformaryland on FB and IG

Why Are You Running For Office?

I have spent more than 40 years building a life and raising a family in District 16. With 25 years of experience managing small businesses and a strong record of community leadership, I know how to solve problems and deliver results. I am running for Delegate in Montgomery County because our values and our future are at stake. I understand the challenges ahead, and I am ready to lead.

Maryland is at a critical crossroads. We face rising housing costs, budget pressures, stagnant economic growth, and increasing threats to essential services like healthcare, education, and civil rights. As national protections are rolled back, Maryland must act with urgency, clarity, and resolve.

I’m running because I believe in a Maryland where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has a fair shot at success. A Maryland where the economy works for all, every child receives a strong public education, healthcare is affordable and accessible, our environment is protected, and civil liberties are upheld. I envision communities free from hate, discrimination, and bias, where every person feels seen, safe, and valued.

I bring a unique combination of policy expertise, business experience, nonprofit leadership, and grassroots advocacy. I am not a career politician, what I am is a neighbor, a listener, and a problem-solver ready to get to work for the people of District 16.

Throughout my career, I have worked on behalf of Maryland families. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Interfaith Works, a Montgomery County nonprofit that provides shelter, housing, and employment programs, serving more than 35,000 residents each year.

In November 2024, I was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to the Maryland Commission for Women, where I help advance policies that promote gender equity and protect women’s rights. In April 2025, I was appointed by County Executive Marc Elrich to the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board, advising on key local issues such as land use, transportation, public safety, and the county budget.

I have been honored for my service as one of the Maryland Commission for Women’s 100 Sheroes in 2020 and was recognized by The Daily Record in 2026 as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women.

With this experience and a lifelong commitment to advocacy, I will be ready on Day One to serve as an effective, active Delegate for District 16.

What Is The Biggest Issue Facing Voters In This Race?

The single biggest challenge we face is growing an economy that works for everyone. Right now, too many families are struggling to keep up as costs outpace opportunity.

Stagnant economic growth has made it harder to find and keep good paying jobs, and for thousands of federal workers that have lost their jobs, the pressure is even greater, threatening their ability to maintain stable housing, support their families, educate their children, and protect their well-being.

We must respond with urgency by growing our state economy and lowering costs through concrete actions. That starts with fixing our permitting process so small businesses and housing developments are not stuck waiting months or years for approvals. Faster, more predictable timelines mean more jobs and more housing supply. We need to invest in workforce development and job training programs tied directly to high growth sectors like biotech, clean energy, and healthcare, so residents can access good paying jobs here in our community.

To address housing affordability, we need to build more housing in the right places, especially near transit, and support missing middle housing options like duplexes and townhomes. Expanding incentives for workforce housing will help teachers, first responders, and young families afford to live here. We also need to accelerate investment in clean energy to reduce utility bills, expand energy efficiency programs for homeowners and renters, and strengthen public private partnerships to lower costs through innovation.

Supporting small businesses is critical. We must expand access to capital, cut unnecessary regulations, and create a more responsive state government so when businesses reach out, they get timely answers. This support will help startups and entrepreneurs grow the next generation of jobs.

Finally, investing in transportation solutions to reduce congestion and commute times will improve quality of life and boost economic productivity.

Thoughtful planning is essential, balancing growth with preserving the character of our communities. We cannot rely on one size fits all solutions, and development must deliver real results, including infrastructure, transportation improvements, and environmental protection. Achieving these outcomes requires strong collaboration between the state, county government, and local municipalities to ensure the best possible results.

As a Delegate, I will sponsor and support legislation that expands opportunity, lowers costs, and ensures our economy works for everyone so people in our community can not only get by, but get ahead.

What Experience Best Prepares You For This Role?

My professional background includes serving as Chief Financial Officer at a bipartisan government relations firm in Washington, D.C., where I manage everything from HR and payroll, to budgeting and compliance. Additionally, I have hands on experience running a family-owned business, giving me a firsthand understanding of the challenges local businesses and working families face every day.

I also have the lived experience of being an immigrant to this country. I came to America when I was 13 years old. I was born in India and had already lived in three countries across three continents before arriving here. Through these experiences, I learned early the importance of empathy, respecting different religions and traditions, and embracing diversity. I came to understand that hard work, courage, and access to opportunity can completely change the trajectory for individuals, families, and entire communities.

My real-world experience is deeply rooted in community service. In 2019, my daughter Marium and I co-founded the Up 2 Us Foundation, inspired by a conversation about students arriving at school hungry. What started as a small, home-based effort quickly grew into a major regional initiative combating food insecurity across Maryland and Washington, D.C. Through innovation and collaboration, my daughter and I helped build Up 2 Us into a large-scale food distribution network that delivered over 1 million pounds of food during the COVID 19 pandemic. I led the creation of more than 30 partnerships with local nonprofits and faith-based groups, demonstrating how compassion and teamwork can create lasting community impact.

On a personal level, I raised two children in Montgomery County Public Schools. I was actively involved in helping with homework and projects, attending school events, supporting teachers and administrators, and advocating for improvements in our schools. Now, as a grandparent, I bring a multi-generational perspective on education and family needs.

In sum, my diverse professional, community, personal, and immigrant experiences equip me with a broad, empathetic view of the issues facing our district. I will bring these perspectives to Annapolis to serve as an effective and responsive Delegate for our community.

What Would You Like Voters To Know About You Personally?

Helping others has always been a constant in my life. Strengthening our community and making it more inclusive, supportive, and prosperous is at the heart of everything I do. I am not new to organizing and advocacy. I have spent decades as a grassroots organizer, community advocate, and nonprofit leader, working on issues such as food insecurity, affordable housing, women’s rights, and economic justice.

My campaign motto and my guiding principle in life is “Leading with Heart and Delivering with Purpose.” This is what I have done. This is what I am doing now. This is what I will continue to do as I serve the residents of District 16 as your Delegate.

Through my experience in both the nonprofit and business sectors, I understand that economic growth is central to Maryland’s ability to support its residents, especially here in District 16. I believe a strong, inclusive economy is essential to sustaining vital programs and protecting our communities, particularly in times of uncertain federal leadership.

As Delegate, I will work to ensure Maryland remains open and welcoming to businesses of all sizes, creating new opportunities and pathways to success for working families across our state.

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