Candidate Profile: Moses Mugulusi For Democratic Primary CD 18

FLORIDA, NY — There aren't many races in the Aug. 23 primary this time around. But one that is contested is the Democratic primary for Congressional District 18.

Patch asked candidates in the race to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as soon as they are received.

The newly redistricted Congressional District 18 is comprised of Orange County, southern Ulster County and most of Dutchess County, except for the southeast portion.

Moses Mugulusi is running to be the Democratic nominee for CD 18 against Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and Aisha Mills. Whoever wins the primary will face Colin Schmitt in the November general election.

Mugulusi, 52, lives in Florida, a village in Orange County. He is married and has two sons.

He describes his occupation as a regulator of financial institutions. He has an MBA in finance and bachelor of science in accounting.

Mugulusi's campaign website can be found here.

Why are you seeking this office?

Covid-19 exposed what many knew: The system is not working and it will take regular guys like me to run for office to advocate for the people.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have been working with Community Voices Heard — to fight and protect tenants, I was very much involved in getting good cause eviction law passed.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Medicare for All, Reduce bank overdraft fees from $34 to $5, Free public college & Universal childcare

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have always answered the call to serve, during the time of Ebola, I volunteered and worked with a team at JFK command center, Covid — I volunteered to screen people in the early days when the testing kits were very limited, and my work as a financial regulator, I have worked successfully on many projects to ensure that financial institutions conduct their businesses as per the prescribed laws

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never rush to judgment.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

We need to value all our people —from restaurant, retail, cab drivers, nurses, teachers, childcare, mail delivery to small business operators. Not big Corporations and Special interest groups.

The power is in our hands to shape our future. We need a robust universal healthcare system (Medicare for All) to cover our health needs including routine medical checkups, Insulin, Eyecare, Hearing aids and Dentures

I will advocate for investments in our communities to enhance our quality of life — A living wage, Affordable Housing with a path to homeownership, Childcare, Mental health, Jobs creation initiatives, Accessible & quality education/Adult learning hubs to connect adult learners, Student debt crisis relief, and Climate change as one of the most critical issues facing our generation.

I will advance legislations to end the high costs of — Prescription drugs, Higher education, Bank overdraft/insufficient funds fees, ATM fees and the exorbitant late fees, which put a lot of burden to the already struggling people

The career politicians have failed us, a lot of talking but no action, to this day, year 2022, thousands of people die every year due to lack of access to affordable care, over 34 million people in USA are diabetic and the majority of them cannot afford the lifesaving Drug Insulin and some have resorted to drug rationing, I have come across many as I go through communities and their stories are heartbreaking. Even our Senior Citizens don’t have their healthcare needs such as eyecare, dental and hearing aids covered. USA, the richest country on this planet, we can do better.

Editor's note: The candidate's responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity.