Michigan doctor vows policy focus in Congressional bid

Monday, 19/12/2011

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/Michigan-doctor-vows-policy-focus-in-Congressional-bid/articleshow/11165536.cms

The democratic Party candidate for Congress in Michigan's 11th District, Dr Syed Taj, said he is "disgusted by the gridlock in Washington, DC.

"Politicians seem altogether too caught up in the game of politics. I think it is about time for us to focus on policy," he told India-West.

Born in Gaya, Bihar, the 65-year-old physician plans to retire in March as chief of medicine at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Mich., after six years at the post.

Next year, he will also complete his fourth year of a four-year term on the Canton Township Board of Trustees.

Taj said he is the only candidate who has filed so far to run on the Democratic side in a district with a registration edge for the GOP. The filing deadline is May 15.

The district includes about 28 cities and towns, including Canton, Livonia, Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Northville, Northville Township, Novi and South Lyon.

The Republican incumbent, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia, will face at least two primary challenges. They are coming from state Senator Mike Kowall of White Lake and a veteran of the Vietnam and Iraq wars, English teacher Kerry Bentivolio of Milford.

Taj told India-West he is not intimidated by running against the Republican incumbent, should McCotter advance.

"I intend to run a competitive campaign and raise the issues that are important to the people in my district. Job creation, the economy, energy independence and national security will be the hallmarks of my campaign."

He added, "As a doctor, I feel I would bring a new perspective to Congress. I have experience in health care, I have a small business and I have worked in a bipartisan manner on the Canton Township Board of Trustees." He also pledges to protect Medicare and Social Security.

Asked what his main achievements have been on the township board, Taj cited helping to reduce property taxes. "By taking monies from the reserve fund, we also were able to lower water bills for Canton residents. Together with my colleagues, I helped create a business friendly environment where new businesses could come to Canton. We also provided leadership and support so existing businesses could expand."

After attending high school in Gaya, Taj received a medical degree from Ranchi Bihar Medical School in Patna. After post-graduate pediatrics work in Patna, he trained in geriatrics and adult medicine in the U.K. and moved to Michigan with his wife in 1982.

"I began my career as a medical resident and worked my way up to become the chief of medicine at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center in Dearborn," he said on his campaign Web site.

"My wife, Sofia, my son, Asad, and I live in the home we built in Canton. My wife is an accomplished artist, Urdu author and poet and my son is studying hard at the University of Michigan in preparation for medical school next year. I am extremely proud of my family."

When elected to the Canton Township board in 2008, Taj said he became "the first elected Democrat in recent times to the board." The Indian American congressional candidate is a board member of the Canton Community Foundation and the Wayne County Senior Alliance.

Taj's campaign manager is Natalie Mosher, who lost an upset bid against McCotter in the last congressional election.