Tarik Khan

Tarik Khan graduated from Central High School of Philadelphia in 1996. Khan earned a B.A. from Davidson College in 2000, an M.S. in nursing from La Salle University in 2011, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. His career experience includes working as a family nurse practitioner.[1]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased April 19, 2022

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hi, my name is Tarik Khan, and I am a Democrat running for State Representative in PA’s 194th District. I am a frontline nurse, community activist, and a born and bred Philadelphian who attended public schools through my graduation from Central High School. My father immigrated to Philadelphia from Pakistan, where he worked as an engineer for the City, and my mother was raised in West Oak Lane by a single mother.

I’ve spent my career building bridges. As President of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, I worked with unions like PASNAP and SEIU to author and introduce the Patient Safety Act - a bill advocating for better conditions for nurses that has bipartisan support. As a community organizer, I’ve worked with various groups to engage and increase turnout and fight for policy that supports workers and aims to improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania.

We are building a broad coalition that includes progressive organizations, elected officials, and labor unions. Our endorsements include PASNAP, The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Liberty City, Second Generation PAC, Philadelphia's Firefighters Union, and PSNA. We also have support from Reclaim Philadelphia, Working Families Party, and both the 21st and 9th Ward Democrats.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for healthcare champions in our legislature and ultimately pushed me to run for State House. I know we can do better for Pennsylvania, and I believe now more than ever that we need the voice of a healthcare worker in the legislature.Throughout my life, I have always been a bridge-builder. My campaign currently has the endorsement of a dozen major unions and the support of 9th and 21st Ward Democrats, the WFP, and a dozen other advocacy organizations. These endorsements show that I am building broad support, and my coalition building will continue as State Representative.As a nurse, I have tirelessly worked to advocate for groups that have traditionally been left behind by our government. Some of these initiatives include starting a special education in Haiti for children with disabilities, launching a home vaccine program for people with disabilities, giving over 800 shots in the home to those unable to receive them on location, to championing anti-discrimination policies as President of PSNA.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Workers' Rights and Fair Wage for Work:

I treat many patients who work long and stressful hours and in jobs that do not pay them enough to adequately provide housing, food, medical costs, and leisure for themselves and their families. I also support a worker's right to organize in the workplace and will fight alongside unions to ensure workers are treated with dignity and respect.

Quality Education for All:

Many of our children in Philadelphia and PA receive their education in toxic schools with lead, mold, and asbestos. I will support legislation to ensure that schools are fairly and fully funded, class sizes are limited, teachers get the pay they deserve, and students have access to an on-site nurse, librarian, and psychologist.

Quality Health Care for All and Protections for Patients and Staff:

Safe staffing has been the top issue for our frontline nurses for decades since it leads to decreased patient deaths, nursing injuries, and costs. I will co-sponsor and lead the passage of the Patient Safety Act (HB 106/ SB 240), a bill I helped write in a historic collaboration with nursing unions and professional nursing organizations. Additionally, I believe that healthcare is a human right, and I support a Medicare-for-all system to ensure all people receive quality healthcare regardless of their income.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

COMMITTEE CHOICES:

- Health

- Professional Licensure

- Aging and Older Adult Services

- Education