Squire Servance, MD, is considering a run for Congress in New Jersey’s 12th District, emphasizing universal healthcare and equitable access to medical resources as the central pillars of his platform. Known for his work at Syridex, a digital healthcare startup leveraging data to address disparities in medical access, Servance brings a combination of scientific expertise, legal training, and entrepreneurial experience to the political arena.
Speaking from his hometown of Pennington, Servance described the motivation behind his potential candidacy as deeply personal. “My first grader shouldn’t be anxious about me speaking out on policy,” he said, reflecting on a moment with his six-year-old daughter after showing her a campaign video critiquing federal healthcare and economic policies. His concern for civic engagement and democracy frames the way he approaches healthcare advocacy: as both a societal and familial responsibility.
Servance holds dual degrees in biomedical engineering and neuroscience from Rutgers University and later attended Duke University for law and business school. Originally intending to become a physician, his path evolved toward entrepreneurship and policy, combining scientific knowledge with practical business acumen. This unique background informs his vision for Congress, particularly in leveraging technology and life sciences to improve healthcare outcomes for all constituents.
With the pending retirement of U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Servance sees an opportunity to advance policies in a district that serves as New Jersey’s life sciences core. He emphasizes that access to quality healthcare, environmental protection, education, and economic opportunity are interconnected. “Programs that ensure clean water, safe food, and healthy communities directly affect healthcare outcomes,” he explained. In his view, universal healthcare is a foundational policy that intersects with broader societal equity and economic stability.
As an entrepreneur, Servance has firsthand experience developing innovative healthcare solutions, including strategies to address cancer prevention and improve outcomes for underserved populations. He envisions translating these insights to legislative initiatives that expand healthcare affordability, support preventive care, and reduce disparities, while also fostering a local economy rooted in biotechnology and life sciences.
Servance also serves as head of the health equity ministry at the First Baptist Church of Somerset, reinforcing his commitment to community-centered care. He highlights how COVID-19 exposed inequities in healthcare access, particularly affecting Black and Brown communities, deepening his resolve to use both private sector tools and public policy to bridge gaps. “You can do good and do well—they are not mutually exclusive,” he said, underscoring the integration of social responsibility and economic innovation in his approach.
On policy, Servance supports measures that strengthen environmental protections, ensure access to nutritious food, and maintain public health programs such as the National Institutes of Health and food assistance initiatives. He also opposes punitive immigration enforcement tactics that target vulnerable populations, framing equitable access to services as a central concern for public health.
While he would be the only candidate in the Democratic primary without prior elected office, Servance positions this as an advantage. “Fresh eyes and new perspectives are essential to address complex challenges like healthcare equity and life sciences innovation,” he said. He cites the district’s robust biotechnology and life sciences sector as a unique asset, one that he believes should inform policy decisions affecting both jobs and community health outcomes.
For residents and stakeholders interested in exploring how healthcare innovation, wellness initiatives, and public policy intersect in New Jersey, health and wellness coverage offers comprehensive insight into ongoing developments, community programs, and emerging leaders shaping the state’s approach to equitable healthcare.
Servance’s potential candidacy reflects a broader effort to connect scientific expertise, entrepreneurial innovation, and civic leadership with practical policies aimed at improving the health and well-being of New Jersey residents. His focus on universal healthcare and community-centered solutions positions him as a candidate seeking to bridge the gap between technology, policy, and public service in the 12th District.
