Global Observer,From Our Staff Correspondent,Dateline: Clifton, New Jersey
February 4, 2026.
BREAKING NEWS
From Healer to Leader: Dr. Assad Mujtaba Enters Clifton City Council Race After Landmark Electoral Performance
CLIFTON, NJ — In a major political development for Passaic County and the City of Clifton, Dr. Assad Mujtaba, a healthcare professional, educator, and community leader, has formally entered the nonpartisan race for Clifton City Council, bringing with him a rare blend of clinical service, academic leadership, and grassroots electoral momentum.
Dr. Mujtaba, who previously contested a high-profile County Commissioner race on the Republican Party ticket in one of New Jersey’s most competitive and predominantly Democratic constituencies, emerged as one of the most visible new-generation leaders in the region after securing approximately 86,000 votes during the 2024 presidential election cycle, winning the City of Clifton outright and narrowly missing victory countywide by a slim margin. Political observers noted that his performance marked one of the strongest showings by a reform-oriented candidate in recent local history, signaling deep resonance with voters across party and ethnic lines.
A trained family practice provider, Dr. Mujtaba holds a DNP from New York University, along with graduate degrees in management and business administration from New York and Atlanta. His academic and clinical training also includes postgraduate medical education in Internal Medicine from the United Kingdom and an international medical degree, complementing his practice as a licensed primary care provider in the United States. He currently serves patients in Clifton, New Jersey, and New York, where his clinics are known for serving working-class families, seniors, immigrants, and underserved communities.
Dr. Mujtaba’s public profile rose sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many healthcare facilities across the region were forced to reduce services or close temporarily. At the height of the crisis, his clinics remained operational, providing frontline care, testing, and continuity of treatment to vulnerable populations. During this period, he also worked in coordination with statewide public health initiatives and advisory efforts aligned with the Governor’s COVID-19 response framework, earning recognition from community leaders for prioritizing patient access during one of the most challenging public health emergencies in modern history.
Beyond clinical medicine, Dr. Mujtaba brings extensive experience in higher education leadership and academic administration. He has served in senior academic roles, including director-level and administrative positions in healthcare education, overseeing large multidisciplinary faculty teams and academic programs. His professional background includes engagement with accreditation and quality-assurance processes in higher education, contributing to institutional governance, compliance, and curriculum development—experience that supporters say equips him with the managerial discipline and regulatory insight needed for effective municipal governance.
Political analysts point out that Dr. Mujtaba’s strong base of community support—reflected in tens of thousands of votes cast in his favor—signals a growing appetite in Clifton for candidates who combine professional competence with lived community engagement. His supporters span healthcare workers, small business owners, immigrant families, seniors, and young professionals, reflecting a broad, cross-sectional coalition rarely seen in local nonpartisan races.
In outlining his City Council priorities, Dr. Mujtaba has emphasized:
* Community Development & Local Investment: Revitalizing neighborhoods, supporting small businesses, and attracting responsible development that creates jobs without displacing long-standing residents.
* Tax Relief & Fiscal Responsibility: Advocating for practical tax relief measures for middle-class families and seniors, while promoting transparent budgeting and accountability at City Hall.
* Public Safety & Quality of Life: Strengthening community policing, improving emergency response coordination, and enhancing neighborhood safety.
* Healthcare Access & Social Services: Expanding local partnerships for primary care access, senior services, mental health resources, and public health preparedness.
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* Education & Workforce
* Development: Supporting vocational training, youth mentorship, and partnerships with educational institutions to prepare Clifton’s workforce for the future economy.
“Clifton deserves leadership that understands both the pressures on families and the realities of managing complex institutions,” Dr. Mujtaba said in a brief statement to Global Observer. “My campaign is about practical solutions—lowering the burden on taxpayers, improving services, and making City Hall work for the people again.”
As Clifton heads into a pivotal nonpartisan City Council election, Dr. Assad Mujtaba’s candidacy is already being viewed as one of the most consequential contests in the city’s recent political history. With a proven record of community service, crisis leadership during the pandemic, and an electoral base that has demonstrated real momentum, observers believe the race could mark a turning point in Clifton’s civic and political landscape.
— Global Observer, Staff Correspondent
