Exciting Developments on the Campaign Trail: A Month of Momentum and Success

Taher Herzallah’s campaign focuses on inclusivity, equity, and community engagement, with priorities that include expanding essential services for seniors, increasing affordable housing options, and improving transportation access throughout Anoka County.

The past month has been a whirlwind of activity, energy, and incredible support for our campaign to elect Taher Herzallah as Anoka County Commissioner for District 7. With several milestones achieved and a surge of community engagement, we’re more motivated than ever to continue building a stronger, more inclusive future for Anoka County!

A Successful League of Women Voters Forum

[embed]Taher Herzallah from Columbia Heights, Minnesota

We kicked off the month with a fantastic showing at the League of Women Voters Anoka County District 7 Candidate Forum. The pre-recorded forum provided a platform for Taher to share his vision for a more equitable, vibrant community, and to engage directly with voters. The event was a great success, with many residents tuning in to hear Taher’s priorities and ideas. We are grateful to the League of Women Voters for hosting the forum and to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts.

Winning Over Hearts at the Metro North Chamber of Commerce Forum

Following the League of Women Voters event, Taher also took the stage at the Metro North Chamber of Commerce solo forum. This was another wonderful opportunity to discuss the needs of local businesses and the community at large. Taher highlighted his commitment to fostering smart, sustainable growth and building stronger partnerships between the county and local businesses. The positive feedback from this event has been overwhelming, and we’re excited to continue these productive conversations.

Fundraising Success: Over $20,000 Raised Last Quarter!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, we successfully raised over $20,000 in the last quarter! These funds will be critical in helping us reach more voters, host events, distribute materials, and spread our message across the district. Every donation is a testament to the belief in our vision for a more inclusive, thriving Anoka County, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Engaging with Thousands of Residents

Our team has been hitting the streets hard, knocking on thousands of doors and connecting directly with residents in Fridley, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, and across the district. We’ve had countless meaningful conversations about what matters most to you — whether it’s improving public safety, expanding affordable housing, or ensuring better services for our seniors. Each interaction reinforces our commitment to listening, learning, and serving the needs of our community.

Building Relationships and Community Connections

Along the way, we’ve built wonderful new relationships and strengthened existing ones. We’ve heard your stories, your concerns, and your hopes for the future. These connections are the heart and soul of our campaign, and they remind us daily why we’re in this race: to build a community where everyone feels heard, valued, and included.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, there’s still much work to be done. But with your continued support, we’re confident that we can keep this momentum going strong all the way to Election Day on November 5th, with early voting starting on September 20th. We invite everyone to join us — whether by volunteering, hosting a yard sign, or simply sharing our message with friends and neighbors. Together, we can make a real difference!

Join Us and Get Involved!

If you’d like to be part of our campaign, visit taherforanokacounty.com to learn more about volunteer opportunities and ways to support. Let’s continue to build a brighter future for Anoka County — together!

Thank you for being on this journey with us!

Warm regards, Team Taher for Anoka County

HIGHLIGHT: Responses to the Metro North Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum

Name: Taher Herzallah. Current Occupation: Director of Grassroots Organizing, PhD Student. Office for Which You Filed: Anoka County Commissioner — District 7. Website: taherforanokacounty.com Social Media Platforms: Facebook and Instagram at taherforanokacounty.

Please provide a short introduction of yourself and your background.

Greetings! I am Taher Herzallah, a community organizer with 15+ years in nonprofit management and human rights advocacy experience. I am also a PhD student in American Studies at the University of Minnesota.

I spent six years advocating for Palestinian human rights in Washington DC and I currently serve on the City of Columbia Heights’ Park and Recreation Commission. I am actively working with local Arab and Muslim owned businesses to enhance their relationship with the city.

I am happily married to my wife Amina and we have three young children ages ten, six, and four!

List any experience you have in the private sector, especially owning and/or managing a business.

My wife and I started a small fruit delivery business during COVID that grew into an annual seasonal business. Since 2020 we have sold date fruits to customers in more than 25 states nationwide and hope to continue growing year by year. I also grew up working in my dad’s car repair shop in California. For nearly seven years, I learned a great deal about managing a small business in a competitive market. I learned the difference between gross and net at age eight.

How would you enhance the business climate in Anoka County and what would you do to support economic growth in this region?

1. Streamline Permitting and Licensing: I will work to simplify and expedite the permitting and licensing processes for businesses. By reducing red tape and making it easier for entrepreneurs to navigate local regulations, we can encourage more businesses to start and expand in Anoka County.
2. Support for Small Businesses and Startups: Small businesses and startups are the backbone of our local economy. I propose creating a small business support hub that offers resources such as mentorship programs, financial planning assistance, and networking opportunities. Additionally, I will advocate for grants and incentives specifically targeted at local startups.
3. Workforce Development: Collaborating with local educational institutions and vocational training programs, I will ensure that our workforce is equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow. This includes supporting internship programs and job fairs that connect businesses with potential employees.
4. Business Attraction and Retention: I will actively work to attract new businesses to Anoka County by promoting our strengths and advantages, such as our strategic location and quality of life. Equally important, I will focus on retaining and expanding existing businesses by addressing their concerns and providing necessary support.
5. Promote Innovation and Technology: Encouraging innovation is key to staying competitive. I will support initiatives that promote tech startups and foster partnerships between tech firms and local industries. Additionally, I will advocate for the development of tech hubs and innovation centers within the county.
6. Community and Economic Partnerships: Building strong relationships with local chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and other stakeholders will be essential. By working together, we can create comprehensive strategies that benefit our entire business community.

By focusing on these areas, I am committed to creating a business-friendly environment that will drive economic growth and make Anoka County a premier destination for businesses and entrepreneurs.

What should Anoka County do to help relieve the workforce issues facing employers?

Undoubtedly, one of the hardest things about running a business is workforce training and retention. There is considerably high turnaround in most small businesses which leads local businesses to cut operating hours and lose revenue.

I propose to do the following:

1. Strengthen Workforce Development Programs: Partner with local educational institutions, vocational schools, and community colleges to align training programs with the needs of employers. By offering specialized training and certification programs tailored to high-demand industries, we can better prepare our workforce for the jobs available.
2. Foster Collaboration Between Employers: Create and support forums or councils such as the Anoka County Regional Development (ACRED) Committee where employers can share best practices, collaborate on workforce solutions, and address common challenges. This collaborative approach can lead to innovative solutions and a more unified effort to tackle workforce issues.
3. Address Housing and Transportation: Recognize that workforce issues can be linked to housing affordability and transportation. Work with stakeholders to improve access to affordable housing and enhance transportation options, making it easier for workers to live and work in Anoka County.

How do you plan to address regulatory challenges that local businesses face? Are there specific regulations or policies you would advocate in order to streamline business operations?

Using my six years of experience lobbying on Capitol Hill, my plan is to address regulatory challenges with state and federal officials on behalf of local businesses.

How do you plan to address infrastructure needs in our region, such as transportation, broadband, and utilities, to support business growth?

Transportation remains a problem in Anoka County, particularly Highway 65. I will work to support existing projects such as “Thrive on 65” and work to bring creative and cost-effective solutions to address the major infrastructure needs of the county.

Another major problem in the south Anoka region is power infrastructure. It really doesn’t make sense that homes and businesses continue to suffer from power outages regularly in a modern city at the periphery of one of the nation’s largest urban centers. This has caused a lot of frustration for residents and business owners in Columbia Heights and Fridley who have been forced to shutter their doors due to power outages. I currently serve on the Energy Action Committee, a collaboration between the City of Columbia Heights and Xcel Energy. We are working to address the city’s power needs and developing an energy action plan that looks forward 20 years to the future.

What is your vision for the future of Anoka County?

As our county population grows and the demographics change, my vision is to create a more inclusive Anoka for all. We know that newcomers to the state and county bring their own experiences, ideas, and economy to the region and play a crucial role in the growth and development of the region. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the county to nurture the ever- changing dynamics in the region to harness this power and energy to create a better Anoka for all.

There’s a reason why the President of the United States visited Anoka twice in the last few years. Anoka County businesses and companies are the beating heart of the US economy and I plan to work with the rest of the Anoka County Commission to help keep it that way.

Thank you MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce for this opportunity and for being a strong advocate for businesses in the region.

Please visit my website www.taherforanokacounty.com for more information about our campaign!