Mayor and CouncilTucson City Council Candidates Forum Ward 5, June 26, 2025https://youtu.be/Si5Y8KWTow4?si=fvRhgqpQFww92OKMThe Mayor’s role in a city or town is similar to the Governor’s role in the state. As the municipality s Chief Executive Officer, the mayor manages the municipality’s administration and operations. In some cases, an appointed City Manager handles day-to-day operations and staff. The mayor runs Council meetings to establish policy with the Council. Typically, a Mayor does not have the power to veto ordinances passed by the Council.The Council enacts ordinances, sets policies, develops an annual Legislative Agenda for the City, and oversees the city budget and capital improvements program. It responds to constituents concerns at neighborhood meetings through written correspondence, telephone communication, and staff assistance. 4-year term.Why You Should Care:The Mayor and City or Town Council play a significant role in keeping our communities running efficiently and overseeing dozens of programs and facilities that directly impact our daily lives. They determine priorities and spending for indispensable services such as police and fire protection, housing, emergency medical services, municipal courts, trash collection, traffic control, public transportation, parks and recreation services, zoning regulation, and public works, including streets, sewers, and signage.For additional information:https://www.azcleanelections.gov/how-government-works/arizona-mayorhttps://www.azcleanelections.gov/how-government-works/arizona-city-and-town-council-members
Public Policy Priorities
Environmental Justice & Clean Water – I will advocate for safe and clean water, air, and access to green spaces while promoting sustainable development. As the Arizona Program Manager of Mountain Mamas, I have fought for environmental protections, and I will continue that fight on the City Council. Safe Streets & Infrastructure – I will prioritize road improvements, traffic safety, and public transit to create a more connected and reliable Ward 5. Stronger Small Businesses & Good Jobs – As a small business owner, I know local businesses are critical to our economy. I will work to expand resources for entrepreneurs, create opportunities for union jobs, and attract sustainable development. Affordable Housing & Homeownership – I will advocate for policies that increase the construction of affordable homes, support renters and homeowners, and create pathways to homeownership, ensuring families can build their future right here in Ward 5.
Qualifications and Experience
As a fourth-generation Tucsonan, urban planner, small business owner, and dedicated community advocate, I have spent my career delivering real results for Tucson, especially on the southsidebecause this is my home and this is where I am raising my family. I am committed to building a safer, stronger, and more vibrant future for all generations who call Ward 5 home. My professional journey spans over 15 years, focusing on community development initiatives, from Tucson to Los Angeles and then back in my hometown. At Sunnyside Foundation, I helped oversee the Community Investment Fund, investing in infrastructure, public spaces, and telling community stories south of 22nd Street. Currently, I serve as the Arizona Program Manager with Mountain Mamas, a collective of mothers, caregivers, and community leaders advocating for clean air, safe water, public lands, and climate solutions that protect the health and future of our families. I am also the Community Investment Advisor for the City
Memberships & Affiliations
Proud Founder of Reinas Who Hike, a Tucson women’s hiking group. Since Jan 2022, Reinas Who Hike has fostered community, empowerment, and connection through shared outdoor experiences. UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI) - Inaugural Latino Data Hub Action Lab Fellow Member of Barrio Santa Rita Neighborhood Association
Endorsements
UFCW, Ironworkers, AFSCME, IBEW, Sierra Club, Arizona List
Community Service
Founder of Reina Prom Committee & the Reina Prom Giveaway, an annual event that provides free glamorous prom dresses, accessories, and a full glam squad experience, including professional hair and makeup to high school students who have shown resilience despite life’s obstacles, ensuring they feel confident and celebrated on their special night.
Education
A graduate of both Sunnyside and Tucson Unified School Districts, the University of Arizona, and holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from UCLA.
There are several challenges facing the City of Tucson, specifically in Ward 5 on Tucson’s southside, where I have spent the majority of my life: extreme heat, poor air quality, and water. I believe infrastructure is a real concern and that includes safer streets, improved roads, and better transit. In addition, I believe a focus on homelessness and public safety is essential, we need to ensure that housing is affordable.
We must build a coalition of climate groups, city government, and small businesses in order to address our climate challenges. We cannot tackle these issues in silos. I believe in empowering residents to be true partners in this work, educating them on the impact of climate change and encouraging their participation on commissions focused on these issues. I would support a public awareness campaign that informs Tucsonans about climate challenges and solutions, so they have the information they need to get involved and help drive progress.
Tucson is growing, and with limited resources and a strained infrastructure, it’s clear we need to make investments in the basic resources that residents need. This includes investing in our roads and infrastructure, and improving access to public transportation in places like Ward 5. I also believe the City Council must address basic cost-of-living issues for families, including access to healthcare. As a Tucson City Councilmember, I would work to lower child care costs by advocating for expanded local subsidies for families, creating incentives for employers to provide child care benefits, and supporting initiatives that increase the availability of affordable, high-quality child care providers within our city. Balancing growth with quality of life means planning for the future now.
I am passionate about ensuring that voter and civic engagement in our Ward grows so that all community members have a seat at the table and understand what’s happening in our government. To demonstrate transparency, I would commit to engaging our community regularly in decision-making, clearly communicating updates on city matters, and encouraging broad representation on existing boards and commissions so residents can both see and shape the work being done.
Campaign YouTube
Public Policy Priorities
1) Finding better ways to engage with and listen to residents in Ward 5 to ensure their interests are represented on the city council by utilizing tools such as digital democracy and participatory budgeting. 2) Improving public infrastructure and roads and working to make development and construction of such projects more efficient. 3) Collaborating with community partners to address the ongoing issues of homelessness, poverty, and addiction by focusing on prevention, reducing barriers to service, and minimizing duplication of services. 4) Creating more affordable housing through public and private partnerships, innovations in construction, and investing in workforce development. 5) Reforming local criminal justice to include income-based civil fines, elimination of cash-bail for non-violent offenders, and focusing on community-based policing. 6) Prioritizing local-first economic development with an emphasis on 21st century industry.
Qualifications and Experience
I have a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis on public and nonprofit management which gives me a deep understanding of how government and the public sector function: from budgeting, to HR, to public policy I’m prepared for the work involved in helping run a city. I’ve worked with and volunteered with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and understand the integral role they play in serving our community and how we can collaborate with them to address the needs of our residents. I’ve been an entrepreneur and launched my own small company and understand the challenges small businesses face and how we can better support them. I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and have lived in rural, urban, conservative, and liberal communities throughout my life which means I can connect with and empathize with a wide variety of people to understand their perspectives and concerns.
Memberships & Affiliations
I am a member of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Southern Arizona and of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Alliance for Ukraine. I am a member of the United Campus Workers of Arizona Local 7065 at the University of Arizona. I am an alumni member of the Sigma Nu fraternity Theta Eta chapter. I am a sustaining member of Arizona Public Media and KXCI.
Endorsements
I am not endorsed by the outgoing incumbent or any other prominent Democrats in Tucson which also means I don’t owe them any favors. Nor am I beholden to any other organizations or people of power. I’m committed to being an independent voice on the council and my mission is to serve you – not my own self-interest.
Community Service
I served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine as an Education Volunteer. I am the President of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Southern Arizona. I served on the board of Tucson Young Professionals as Advocacy Chair, ignite520 Co-Chair, and Vice President. I served on the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Education Foundation (SARSEF). I was a fellow, volunteer, and Fast Pitch mentor with Social Venture Partners Tucson.
Education
I earned a Master of Public Administration degree and Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northern Illinois University. And I earned an Associates of Science degree from McHenry County College.
Roads, homelessness, and housing affordability are by far the most frequently mentioned issues I hear from folks in Ward 5 when knocking on doors. With roads, I think we need to do a better job of managing our contractors, holding them accountable for their work, and minimizing barriers to getting things done. With homelessness, I think we need a nuanced approach that takes into consideration the variety of reasons why people are on the street. We should focus on preventative measures when possible and collaborate with community partners to get services to those in need. We also need to enforce city ordinances and ensure our parks, neighborhoods, and public transportation are safe for tax-paying residents. With housing, we need to reduce barriers to the construction of affordable housing, support workforce development in the trades, focus on infill and high-density housing along existing corridors, and find ways to be more innovative with how we build.
Tucson is lucky to have so many fantastic organizations working on these issues, and we need to ensure they are working effectively together. I see the city’s role as a collaborator and convener – to bring residents and organizations together to collectively address challenges facing our community. We need to do a better job listening to the community in general so that we have a clear understanding of the challenges and solutions we face. We need to work closely with our local schools, Pima Community College, and the University of Arizona to find innovative solutions and ensure we have a talented workforce to implement them. We should also look to partner with other cities and municipalities to adopt common objectives, create economies of scale, and develop evidence-based approaches to address these issues.
Some of these issues require greater support from the state and federal government. However, we must ensure a thriving community with opportunities for all to succeed. We should focus on higher density, infill development rather than perpetually expanding into the desert. We need to embrace new technologies and AI to improve traffic flow and minimize congestion. We need to continue investing in, expanding, and electrifying our public transportation system so it better serves the community and is more sustainable. We need to continue expanding our rainwater harvesting efforts and incentives to ensure as much water as possible stays in the city, recharging our aquifers and minimizing usage of potable water for landscaping. We should continue working with the county and TUSD to ensure that the PEEPs program continues and look to expand it in the future.
Transparency is essential for trust in government, and unfortunately a great many people have lost trust in our public institutions because of scandals, misinformation, and a lack of accountability. I’m committed to being as transparent as possible if elected. I plan to continue our regular communications to Ward 5 residents and explain business before the city and why I voted one way or the other. However, I want to go further than that and develop tools for residents to provide feedback on upcoming decisions in advance, so I know where the people of Ward 5 stand. My goal is to serve the community and not my own self-interest. I also want to expand constituent services so myself and the Ward 5 office is out in the community more – proactively seeking feedback and input on the city.
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