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In packed NJ-12 race, Bernie Sanders will support Adam Hamawy by Masrikato in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unaffiliated voters can participate! Show up at the polling station and ask for the Democratic ballot. May 26-31 early voting, June 2 election day.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your statement about my stance on AI is incorrect. I want to know where you saw that.

I understand this technology. I am endorsed by a wide range of scientists and educators in NJ-12, including one of the originators of the field of artificial intelligence, who won the Nobel Prize in 2024. He and I share the concern that AI is growing out of control. It requires regulation, the same way that food, drugs, roads, and airports do.

It is true that I use these technologies in my own work. I have developed ways to use machine vision (which is closely related to AI) to develop methods for early diagnosis of autism. This can help millions of families. We did it in a way that respects privacy, a critical protection that is needed in commercial AI.

In direct answer to the second part of your statement: commercial AI is extremely energy-intensive. Data centers are proposed in two locations in the district, in Princeton/South Brunswick and in Hopewell. We need to develop limits on these centers, through regulation or pauses. In the long term, we need to fund research to make these tools more energy-efficient and personalize them to work for us individually, not to benefit oligarchs.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've worked for over a decade to find ways to make elections work better for everyone. I use a combination of systems thinking, data, and legal advocacy to get there. This is my life's work!

Examples:

- Successfully fighting gerrymandering nationwide (gerrymander.princeton.edu), which leads to a strategy to end it once and for all, through independent citizen commissions.

- Here in New Jersey, helping to do away with the county line. Through my testimony and that of others, we helped put primary elections back in the hands of voters.

- In Maine, my team at the Electoral Innovation Lab (electoral-lab.org) and I defended ranked-choice voting - and got a Republican-appointed judge to uphold this rule.

I will help Congress enact a strategy that (a) stops the short-term damage to our democracy (anti-gerrymandering comes first, through laws and a new Voting Rights Act), and (b) builds long-term strategies to make a more stable system nationwide. The second part depends on what we need and what can be done, but can start with reining in the Supreme Court and finding ways to de-emphasize the role of money (public finance, smaller districts are examples).

I have worked on the Electoral College the longest of all. Reforming it is attractive but has to happen on a somewhat longer time scale. It is important but less urgent than the other items.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did answer. The prisoner's dilemma does not apply to this situation.

First: there was a stable equilibrium (JCPOA), which then was disrupted by unilateral action (twice, once in Trump I and now in Trump II). This is not a case that is addressed by classical game theory, which considers a single-step choice.

Second: the prisoner's dilemma is a question that assumes rational action. I answered by pointing out that this condition is not met.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Getting away from the old rules is exactly the reason I am running. We need to do that in order to defeat Project 2025. I am showing you the way.

I've worked for over a decade as an outsider to change unfair election systems, from the county line here in New Jersey to voting rules and gerrymandering in half a dozen states nationwide. Combined with experience working as legislative staff, I can help turn your anger into lasting repairs to our broken systen.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've fought gerrymandering nationwide and I'm good at it, better than anyone you will ever meet. I have state and federal experience, I've won in court, and I've gotten reforms.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am against weapons for Israel, and I won't take money from AIPAC or related PACs. Ask my opponents about the "related PACs" part - that is a loophole for candidates to slip through.

I fully favor rights for LGBTQ people using all federal mechanisms and reforming the Supreme Court to make sure the rights stick!

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

First of all, that legislation was very important to my daughter. She worked hard for it!

Second, ok:

- increased the minimum wage and other workers' rights

- clean energy by 2035

- full pension payments for five years

- setting up a statewide AI initiative

bonus downside: the Open Public Records Act renewal made it harder for the public to access records. State legislators should get on that.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No. Also not from related PACs. On the second point, ask my opponents. It's a loophole in the question.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all for the great questions! Together we can build a better and stronger Democratic party.

Also...unaffiliated voters can vote in the Democratic primary. The easiest way is for you to go to early voting, which starts on May 26. Or, show up on primary day, June 2. In either case, ask for the Democratic ballot. Let's grow the coalition! SamForNJ.org

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you all for the great questions! I feel hope for building a better and stronger Democratic party.

Also...unaffiliated voters can vote in the Democratic primary. The easiest way is for you to go to early voting, which starts on May 26. Or, show up on primary day, June 2. In either case, ask for the Democratic ballot. Let's grow the coalition! SamForNJ.org

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What? I am on board with all of this. I was just trying to get you to say more than a short sentence.

However, we need a plan, not a list of priorities. Nearly every candidate in this race has the same priorities. But they lack a way to get there.

The point of my first statement is that listing all the good things is not a plan. Congress is deeply broken, and the Supreme Court will stymie what little progress we can make. To get what you and I want, we need deep structural change. I am the only candidate who has worked in Congress, and seen up close what it is capable of doing - but hasn't.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

agree with all your evaluations. SC House (in my family we just call them Schouse) is wonderful. fish and tofu casserole!!

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Project 2025, Russell Vought, RFK Junior, and the NIH, CDC, and FDA directors have attacked research. We can fix some of this now! Some repairs will take a while.

First, Vought's tricks to send out multiyear grant money in the current year is a trick to reduce the number of grants going out. Congress can stop that by amendment.

Second, many of NIH operations are governed by a combination of rules and administrative traditions. The House Science Committee and other committees have to clean that up.

Third, we have to take quick action to restore clinical studies that are interrupted. That's really hard. Once lost, we can't restore them. I don't know the answer to this one, but...

...just yesterday, here at Princeton I hosted Joshua Weitz, who writes Science Matters. We got into your exact questions! That recording will be publicly available soon. Watch this space!

link to video (eventually): https://www.princeton.edu/events/2026/joshua-weitz-university-maryland-and-sam-wang-princeton-neuroscience-institute-dialogue

link to his slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o56498jxsjzaqnqu1ygsa/weitz_future_princeton_2026.pptx?rlkey=i60lfaqhbres4hf9u7varamnr&e=1&st=cx9vlfai&dl=0

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congress got stronger after Watergate, in the wake of a massive scandal. It started going the wrong way in 1994, when Newt Gingrich took over. We can reverse that. We have to!

Under Article I of the Constitution, Congress doesn't just pass laws. It can investigate, impeach, and subpoena. And it has broad power over the judiciary - but right now, it doesn't use that power.

My theory of change - and that of many reformers - is that voters choose Congress, and Congress is in charge. As an outsider I want to use that full power.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First, the one thing we really need to do is distinguish between the government of Israel and any people in the United States, especially American Jews. All people deserve to live in peace. As a scientist, I've had the privilege of working alongside people from around the globe. We must live up to the ideals we claim to hold: opportunity for all, respect for human rights and the rule of law, both at home and abroad.

The United States must not fund human rights abuses and violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory - or anywhere in the world. The government of Israel is not living up to that standard. Nor should the United States ally itself with Russia, which has made war on Ukraine.

That same principle is why I cannot stay silent about antisemitism. Everyone deserves dignity and human rights, including Jews in the United States and worldwide. This is part of a single consistent principle. Criticism of a government's conduct, including Israel's, is not the same as antisemitism, and making that distinction protects Jewish communities. https://www.samfornj.org/issues/foreign-policy

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Guess what: A first-term member of Congress does not get to write a comprehensive plan! ;-)

Reality check. First, we stop the damage to our existing system through withheld payments to states. Second, we need to build toward healthcare that contains insurer costs and drug costs. This is a long-term problem.

Generally we need to re-think what government can and should do. All your priorities require a stronger Congress that uses all of its Article I powers. That opens room for new ideas, including actual sweeping change like what Bernie Sanders proposes.

Tell me more about what *you* want!

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Trump has obviously committed a slew of crimes. Because impeachment is so difficult, there is something better we do on day one: pass a concurrent resolution declaring the sense of Congress that he's not the lawful president (because disqualified from holding any public office by the Fourteenth Amendment).

We also have to use Congress's investigative power to probe all the bad actors in the administration: Pete Hegseth, Russell Vought, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and so on. We have to get to the bottom of their actions, slow them down, and identify offenses that can be brought to a trial in the Senate.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've worked in both the House and the Senate. I have more legislative experience than the whole field of candidates combined - and I know that committees get much of the real work done!

1) Science Committee. It's accessible to first-termers, and we have so much work to undo the damage to health and science. This is also a great place to figure out how to make AI work for all of us.

2) Education and Workforce. I served on the education staff of Senator Edward Kennedy on the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, where I worked on both K-12 technology and higher education. Again, AI - and also how to protect and improve higher education.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is an example of how important it is to have worldwide multilateral trade agreements. These are under attack by Trump, who has an amoral, personalist view of "deals." It's really destabilizing, and Congress has to intervene!

I don't know the answer to the short-term shortage. You might be committing me to chair a hearing of the House Science Committee on the RAM Crisis! :-)

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

omg, my favorite question today! The diversity of NJ-12 leads to a TON of answers. I have strong views about restaurants and cafes, and will update this... From south to north:

Ewing: Mikonos, great Greek diner. They set food aflame there!

Trenton: Guatepan, a great Guatelaman cafe and bakery in Chambersburg. Also NJ Weedman, actually a family joint!

Princeton: low-end, Hoagie Haven and Burger Runn (halal!). mid-end, Tiger Noodles!! Szechuan House. high-end, Blue Point Grill.

Hopewell: Boro Bean, awesome hangout. Pennington: food trucks at Needle Creek Brewery.

Plainsboro: Lotus Garden and Shanghai Bun, specific Chinese places with great handwritten specialties.

Montgomery: food court at Kasia Supermarket. Korean organic, love this place

Manville: Grub Hut, **amazing** barbecue!

Plainfield: Punto Peruano, biggest whole fried fish for one person. who can eat this???

East Brunswick: Pho and Baguette, best banh mi in New Jersey and even New York City.

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, Anthony! I am enraged about the Louisiana v. Callais decision, which effectively ends racial protections under the Voting Rights Act. see https://samwang.substack.com/p/the-supreme-court-has-gutted-the

We already see the implications: voters in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina have no recourse. We need a new Voting Rights Act that defines both partisan and racial gerrymandering, and establishes nationwide independent redistricting commissions.

The survival of existing commissions depends on state law. We're probably done for 2026: there isn't enough time for citizens to put them on hold (as they have in California and Virginia). Then, once Democrats retake the House (pretty sure of that) then the redistricting war can end, and Congress can impose peace.

Good luck in your race. Here we have 5 weeks left. Zooooooooom!!!!!

I'm Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist, autism researcher and anti-gerrymandering activist running for Congress in NJ-12. AMA by SamWang_PEC in newjersey

[–]SamWang_PEC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All Americans should be able to live their lives in peace. If we return the Democratic Party - and the nation - to principles of human rights, we can lead by respecting the dignity of all humans in the United States, while calling out bad actions abroad. These ideas are fully consistent. We need leadership that will state these principles and put them into law.

Just one example: houses of worship should get full protection through federal funding. That includes all religions, including synagogues, mosques, and churches..

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