By Dr. Herman Najoli
WEST PRICE HILL — As an unaffiliated independent candidate in my second run for public office, I am thrilled to have the endorsement of the Cincinnati Right to Life Political Action Committee (CTRL-PAC). I am deeply grateful for three reasons:
First and foremost, I am a father who has always been pained by the memory of the loss of my wife’s first child. In June of 2004, about five months after our marriage, my wife and I grappled with a miscarriage. It was the most difficult time of our marriage.
Today, we are blessed to have two miracle children after my wife battled fibroids. Our first-born child, a boy, was born in 2006 and our second child, a girl, was born in 2009. We now have what has been branded as ideal American family. Both of us grew up in larger, extended families and had always wanted to have a bigger family. However, due to my wife’s safety around her medical situation, we did not.
Second, I am a person of faith. This election is a battle for the character or our city. I believe that ethics and moral behavior are paramount in elected officials. There is no way to separate who one is (character) from a quest for public office (reputation). I am running to lead with character, govern with ethics, interact with high morals, and allow the values that have shaped who I am to inform my decision making. Key to this is the unalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which has been a pillar in my immigrant journey to the United States and maturity as a responsible citizen.
Third, I am an educator, public servant, and coach to youth in sports. As an educator, I have facilitated courses at a major regional university – Indiana Wesleyan. As a public servant, I have worked at a large shelter for the homeless – City Gospel Mission, which led to my being named a Forty Under 40 award winner by the Cincinnati Business Courier (CBC) in September 2015. As a youth coach, I have mentored many at three Westside schools – St. William, St. Lawrence, and St. Catherine.
Additionally, I have been a character coach at Carson Elementary and a soccer coach for FC Cincinnati’s Youth Pride team in the West End. The joy of seeing the blossoming of any individual in our society, who would otherwise have been marginalized, vulnerable, neglected, or denied opportunity, spurs my vision and passion as a servant-leader.
Thank you, CTRL-PAC. I will continue to carry your voices with me to City Hall and in my service to Cincinnati. May we, together, boldly ensure the human right to life. For more information, contact Dr. Herman Najoli at candidate@drnajoli.com.