Da'Shone Hughey has officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey's 8th Congressional District as an independent candidate under the slogan "We The People." The announcement, made on June 29, 2026, outlines a platform centered on community empowerment, economic opportunity, educational advancement, and restoring trust in government.
Hughey, an entrepreneur, educator, author, and technology innovator, brings a diverse background that includes international experience in leadership, education, and workforce training across Latin America, Africa, and Israel. His campaign emphasizes building systems that deliver solutions rather than merely identifying problems. "I am running for Congress because I believe government should work for the people it serves," Hughey said. "For too long, too many families have felt unheard, overlooked, and left behind. It is time to restore accountability, create opportunity, and ensure every resident has a voice in shaping our future."
His platform includes expanding economic opportunity for working families, supporting small business growth, strengthening workforce development, modernizing education, investing in innovation and technology, and increasing government transparency. A key component of his campaign is the belief that education and workforce development are essential to long-term prosperity. Hughey's book, PhD Ready by 18, challenges traditional academic pathways and proposes a framework to accelerate learning and career readiness.
"Every child deserves access to opportunity, every worker deserves the chance to succeed, and every community deserves leadership focused on results," Hughey stated. "We must prepare our citizens not only for today's economy, but for the future economy as well."
The campaign will engage residents across Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties through community outreach, listening sessions, town halls, and grassroots efforts. Hughey plans to address issues such as lowering the cost of living, expanding affordable housing, strengthening transportation, creating high-paying jobs, and advancing education through AI City Robotics Queriosity Learning Centers.
"Our campaign is built on a simple principle: We The People. The Government belongs to the people, and together we can ensure it works for the people once again," Hughey said. For more information, visit the campaign website at https://www.votedashonehughey.com.
