Record Vote for Turkish Academic Burçin Öğrenir in New Jersey Elections

Election Excitement of a Turkish Academician in Wayne

The Turkish academic Dr. Burçin Öğrenir, who ran for a seat on the Board of Education in the Wayne area of ABD's New Jersey state, shared his reflections after the elections held on 3 Kasım 2026. For the first time running in a local election in the U.S., Öğrenir did not achieve the result he wanted from the ballot, but he said that the number of votes he received was an important gain for him. Speaking to ABDPOST, Öğrenir said he received 4 bin 803 votes despite only a two‑month active campaign period. The Turkish academic said, 'I reached a very high vote share. With just a two‑month effort. This time it was not enough. Onward.'

4 Bin 803 People Supported the Turkish Academician

In his evaluation of the election results posted from his Instagram account, Öğrenir emphasized that having 4 bin 803 voters in a region where his name was previously unknown to many people vote for him was significant. The Turkish academic said that this support also carries meaning for his future work.

Öğrenir said he ran the campaign largely on his own resources without any institutional, organizational, or political support during the election process. He thanked everyone who supported him, contributed to his campaign with social media posts, and shared his ideas.

He Decided on the Campaign in July, Started Work in September

In his statement, Öğrenir also mentioned details about the election process, saying he decided to run in July and began active campaign work in September. Thus, he noted that he had roughly two months to explain himself, his views on education, and his goals to voters.

Stating that he is not a well‑known figure in local politics, Öğrenir reminded that candidates who have been serving for a long time and are closely known to the local population are in front of him. The academic, who said he was born and raised in Turkey and that even the pronunciation of his name can be unfamiliar to some voters, reported that he was running the campaign with very limited resources.

Call for Turks in America to Be Active in Local Governments!

Stating that the votes he received sent him an important message, Öğrenir said that Turks living in the United States could play a greater role in decision‑making mechanisms. He emphasized that, in addition to local school boards, they could have a voice as part of society in municipalities, district administrations, and state‑level institutions.

Expressing that serving in these areas requires effort, time, preparation, and strong social relationships, Öğrenir nevertheless noted that taking an active role in local governments is not as distant a goal as one might think. He pointed out that school‑parent associations, local committees, and civil‑society organizations also create important opportunities to contribute to society.

Post‑Election Support Messages Were Touching

Öğrenir said that the calls and messages that reached him during the campaign and after the election moved him emotionally. Despite not winning the election, the academic, who said he was still receiving support from many people, thanked those who contributed to the campaign.

Öğrenir said he saw support from many people, from those who placed campaign signs in front of their homes to those who sent messages to their surroundings and introduced themselves. He also thanked the 4,803 voters who trusted him without knowing him.

He Wants to Give Courage to New Candidates

Öğrenir, who said he could not obtain a board seat from the election but had gained important experiences and new friendships, said it was still too early to decide which path he would take in the future.

Expressing that Turkish people living in the United States should not shy away from being more visible in social life and taking responsibility, Öğrenir said that diverse knowledge and experience can contribute to the community.

Öğrenir concluded his remarks with a thank‑you message, saying he hoped this experience would inspire the Turkish‑American community and encourage them to take on more active roles in the areas where they live.

Correspondents: Özlem Özgüt Yörekli