Campaign YouTube
Public Policy Priorities
A. Economic development, including helping local businesses grow and attracting new employers. B. Improving our dire homelessness crisis by improving collaboration within the city, county, state, local NGOs, non-profits, and mutual aid groups and by quickly bringing more low-barrier shelter/housing online. C. Improving the safety and quality of our streets for all users.
Qualifications and Experience
Personal Injury Attorney since 2011, Secretary for the Catalina Vista Neighborhood Association
Memberships & Affiliations
Arizona Association of Justice, State Bar of Arizona,
Endorsements
Ann Charles, 14-yr former chief of staff to Steve Kozachik
Community Service
Volunteer for Step up To Justice
Education
Salpointe Catholic, BS in Marketing from ASU, JD from UA Law.
1) The unhoused crises and the cost of housing
In Arizona, more than $70,000 was spent per unhoused person last year and yet the problem persists. The money is there, the will is there, but too many duplicative efforts are hindering real results. We must build a robust system of data sharing, so that all involved parties can work effectively to providing shelter first, then long term housing. We will collaborate with community partners to help individuals break drug addictions and overcome mental health disorders.
2) Safety and security
We must prioritize funding our police and fire departments to increase personnel and increase wages. We must also explore reinstating red-light and speed cameras to prevent rampant unsafe driving on our streets.
3) Our faltering economic outlook
We must break down the red-tape that prevents local businesses from expanding and seek out sustainably-minded industry and business to locate to Tucson in order to diversify our jobs market.
We must see ourselves as a region, recognize that all of the cities, the county, and most importantly, the residents, should have a say in our climate resilience plans.
Tucson has been a tremendous steward of our limited water resources and that trend must continue. By moving water use from low value, such as farming, to high value, such as job creation, we can still grow our economy sustainably.
We must continue to expand transit, bike, and pedestrian infrastructure as alternatives to driving.
In order to grow revenues, the city must be focused on growing our economy, not just through population growth, but by increasing the number of high-quality, high-paying jobs. This will increase our budget which will allow us to fund more preschool options for working parents, to fill funding gaps for strained medical providers who rely on diminishing medicaid money, and better transit and street infrastructure to reduce injuries, congestion, and to improve quality of life.
In order to encourage workforce housing projects, we must explore using state trust land and partnering with trusted developers here in Tucson.
We need to hold regular Town Halls again, communicate through social media daily, and fund more newsletters for neighborhood associations. These newsletters should include messages from the ward representative to communicate with residents about what is happening in our city.
We must also encourage and fund the growth of existing and creation of new neighborhood associations as a vehicle of communication and community involvement.
Public Policy Priorities
Safer Streets for All, Housing Justice, Community Engagement, Community Resiliency, Community Safety
Qualifications and Experience
Miranda works full-time as the Operations Manager, on-air DJ, producer, and youth broadcasting camp counselor at KXCI Community Radio. She serves on two City of Tucson commissions – the Complete Streets Coordinating Council and Board of Adjustment – and is the founder of Tucson for Everyone, a local housing and transit advocacy group. She also helped form the Transit for All Coalition (TFAC) with other community groups and organizations across Tucson to advocate for more investment in public transit. Prior to 2022, Miranda worked for fifteen years as an advisor in higher education, including Pima Community College and University of Arizona, empowering diverse individuals to navigate systems and access resources. Miranda is in her ninth season skating with Tucson Roller Derby, volunteers as a cook at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen on a weekly basis, serves as a Steering Committee member of the Tucson Alliance for Housing Justice (TAHJ), and is a dues paying union member of UCWAZ - CWA Loca
Memberships & Affiliations
United Campus Workers - Local 7065
Endorsements
Ironworkers Local 75, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 570, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99, Sierra Club, Arizona List, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 449, Jane Fonda Climate PAC
Community Service
Casa Maria Soup Kitchen
Education
University of California, Santa Barbara
Having talked to voters at the doors and in our community, I've learned that Tucsonans are deeply concerned about affordable housing, safe streets, climate resiliency, and access to basic services like public transit. As a housing and transit advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how rising costs and outdated infrastructure are negatively affecting our quality of life. I support housing policies that promote affordability through infill and adaptive reuse, and I’ve worked to expand fare-free transit access and safer street design as a commissioner on the Complete Streets Coordinating Council. I believe that local government must be both responsive and proactive, and I plan to bring a community-first approach to every decision that centers those most impacted.
Coalition-building is how I lead. As the founder of Tucson for Everyone and a member of two city commissions, I’ve worked with grassroots organizers, environmental groups, housing advocates, and transit riders to shape policy that moves us toward equity and sustainability. I support expanding our tree canopy in underserved areas, investing in weatherization and shade infrastructure, and increasing access to clean energy– especially solar. To succeed, we need not just policy, but deep partnerships with community groups, technical experts, and everyday residents. I’ll continue convening those voices to ensure Tucson’s climate response reflects our shared values and lived realities.
We need smart, equity-focused growth that strengthens what the wonderful community that we already have. To me, that means investing in infill housing, expanding and improving the reliability of our public transit, and protecting Tucson’s water supply through conservation and infrastructure upgrades. I support using development tools that combat urban sprawl and promote affordability, walkability, and resilience. City government also has a role in supporting families by increasing access to early childcare through partnerships and co-locating services near housing and transit. If we make Tucson a place where people can live affordably, get around safely, and access care we build an economy in which everyone can thrive.
I’ll host regular office hours across Ward 6—not just in certain neighborhoods—and offer multilingual and digital access to city information. I support clear reporting of budget outcomes, expanded participatory budgeting, and increased community engagement before major decisions are made. Most importantly, I’ll report back with meeting summaries and clear, transparent explanations of how I voted and why. I believe residents should never have to dig to understand what their government is doing. If I have the privilege to serve, I’ll work every day to rebuild public trust through honesty, consistency, and accountability.
Public Policy Priorities
A Modern Election System for proper representation, Sustainable infrastucture design
Qualifications and Experience
20 year Public School Teacher (Science), 20 year active union activity, 20 year record of voter advocacy.
Education
BS - Ecology & Evoutionary Biology (Combined Physics/Chemistry/Math minor, Entomology minor), AZ Teaching Certification
I believe that Tucsonan's would like a better community. That requires better elective representation and a better push toward living within our "Desert Means" to blunt the effects of continued climate change.
Our current election system is outdated and in need of reform, as it disenfranchises voters with every election. I would like to form a sub-ward committee to democratically prepare a better election format. This may include Instant Runoff Voting, also called Ranked Choice, and it may require districting changes , Council expansion and mayoral term adjustment.
Tucson is also getting hotter for longer periods of time. Water is becoming more scarce and we just don't harvest enough of the one resource that we can count on, solar power.
Beyond this, Tucson needs a better record of communication with the citizenry. Often, great frustraton can be elevated by just answering questions thoroughly. Often citizens simply want to know why.
Tucson's electric power should come from the Sun as much as possible. We can start by not taxing solar equipment and installation. Builders could also be required to design for solar panels and offer them as part of the home buyer's package. I have a sketch of how we can switch to solar in government over time in a tax free manner. Investing in shaded streets should be another first priority to blunt the problem of the "Heat Island Effect".
Government should be a leader in coordinating our city to break from stereotypical and toward a unique concept that matches our standard of being different from Phoenix and Los Angeles.
Edward Abbey once wrote that growth for grow's sake is the policy of cancer cells. I believe that we should live within our desert means. That may mean the 1 million residents in our region is enough. This is a more difficult design measure, but it may be required if we are to avoid a future with resources diminished that might actually lead to a reduction of population. We need to stress that Tucson imports everything but sunshine. We exist due to trade and governmental resources (UofA, DM). A simple change in language is in order.
Reflecting on the question, above, a home becomes more affordable with installed solar power. Electric bill can be repurposed into a better mortgage or to simply pay every day bills.
A community-based approach, with proper educational outreach can do a great deal toward building a better city and that is an inexpensive approach toward good goverance.
The simple answer comes from availability. This can come online or in person. As an educator, it follows that I believe in educational approaches toward communication. This means active listening and fully answering questions. It also means being available after regular business hours without overly straining either the elected representative or staff. Regular town hall style meetings, open to the public would do a great deal toward gaining the trust of our citizens.
Public Policy Priorities
Protecting the environment; the place we call home. Bring back trusted and effective public safety. Smart solutions to homelessness and housing. Effective and thorough use of your tax dollars.
Qualifications and Experience
Former Acting President of Domino's Pizza franchise in Pima and Yuma counties. Opened first commercial enterprise on the University of Arizona campus. Cherie Construction owner. East Coast Super Subs and PJ Subs owner.
Endorsements
Pending
Community Service
President Foundation for Creative Broadcasting, Inc. dba KXCI-FM. Founding member Desert Aire-Loma Linda Neighborhood Association.
Education
University of Arizona College of Engineering
Housing affordability, the homeless crisis, public safety, the environment, decaying infrastructure, diminishing water resources, economic development, the fentanyl epidemic and many more issues concern the citizens of Tucson. Which of these top the list depends on whom you ask. The City of Tucson reached out to the public for input during the budgeting process for fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Although, the City made a genuine effort to obtain input as to which issues were of most importance to the public, a scientific poll would provide clearer and more accurate data. I believe it is critical for City Council to understand what issues the community, as a whole, prioritizes and not only the opinions of the persons who can attend town halls and fill out surveys. Once poll results are available, City Council should direct the City Manager to according allocate resources to thoroughly and efficiently address the public concerns. I would make sure we solve problems and not solve symptoms.
Tucson presented The City's Climate Action Plan aka Tucson Resilient Together several years ago. It should be safe to assume adequate research was done to develop the plan presented.Too often government commissions significant research, produces plans and road maps, but fails to execute the critical step of implementing the plan. I do not see the need to build a coalition to address issues that have already been researched at great expense. We need to begin implementing the plan already set forth by doing what will give us the most impact with the human and financial resources available. As with any plan, adjustments need to be made as progress moves along, but if all we do is continue to research and create new plans without ever actively executing the plan, nothing gets accomplished. I would work to make sure the plans and road maps already produced get put into action.
A detailed response requires a lot more than 1000 characters to answer a question as broad as this. Generally speaking, the approach city government utilized in recent history failed to balance population growth and economic development with quality of life issues. This is clearly evidenced by the significant rising crime, poverty levels, deteriorating infrastructure and lack of affordable housing for working people. In order bring financial resources to Tucson, which in turn can reverse this undesirable trend, we must take steps necessary to make Tucson a place where people can live their dreams. We are blessed with great weather, abundant beauty and relative absence of natural disasters. Coupling those with well maintained streets, low crime and access to quality art and culture will attract organizations that will provide career opportunities so desperately needed here. We can balance economic growth with Tucson's personality. We need to improve our image and stop making excuses.
The easiest way to demonstrate transparency is by being transparent. That starts with being authentic, not playing politics. Being a good people representative requires the ability to not just listen, but to hear. Equally important is making sure the constituents know where their representative stands on the issues. Communicating in both directions can easily be accomplished using an interactive ward website which not only accurately presents the state of the city and current issues it faces, but would provide a uncomplicated method for people to give direct feedback to their representative. Of course, town hall style meetings with an emphasis on Q and A time are important, but perhaps we should look at monthly meetings with a representative from each neighborhood association. The reality is effective communication is key to well functioning government. It follows that people need to see results from their efforts to communicate their desires. I will listen and hear and act.
