Age: 30
Party: Democratic
Occupation: ASU faculty assistant/Children and family mental health counselor
Why are you running for office/re-election?
I am running for re-election to advocate for the core issues that I believe in: education, health care and the environment. Our government has become so corrupt that it causes disillusion in many young people. My hope is to restore integrity, honesty and respect to our state government and inspire newer generations to serve their community and make it a better place.
What experience qualifies you for the position?
I have served the past two years as the state representative for Tempe and South Scottsdale. I was the ranking member to the House Environment Committee, where I passed significant water conservation legislation. I served on is the Transportation Committee, where I helped to regulate the towing industry.
What do you think is the most important issue of the election?
The most important issue in this election is the economy. Politicians have ignored the economic theory that established this nation as great. Last year, I ran regulatory legislation that would prohibit sub-prime lending and Ninja loans, as well as legislation that would have held the mortgage brokers fiscally responsible for predatory loans.
If elected, what would you want your relationship with ASU to be?
As your State Representative, I pride myself on being the most aggressive legislator advocating for ASU. For the past 28 years, ASU has continually gotten short-changed by receiving the same amount of funding as UA does, but we have double the student population! I have a bachelor’s, master’s and I am finishing my doctorate at ASU. I truly love Arizona State University. Go Devils!!!
Why should ASU students want to elect you?
ASU students should see themselves in me. I was in their position not too long ago, struggling through college. They can rest assured that I will do everything I can to lower tuition, increase financial aid, promote more affordable housing and help eliminate student debt that students have upon graduation. ASU students should know that by reelecting me, they are keeping a true Sun Devil in the Arizona State House.
What is the No. 1 change you want to see in your district?
The No. 1 change that this district needs is the expansion of multi-modal means of transportation. We need an aggressive transportation plan in Maricopa — one that consists of more buses, both light and commuter rail and we need to have a regional airport system to ease the congestion at Sky Harbor Airport.
What would your contributions to the community be?
I currently serve on the board of the Tempe Boys and Girls Club, the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, Childsplay Inc., Tempe Community in Schools, Tempe Sister Cities and Tempe Leadership. I have invested countless hours helping and serving with our non-profits in Tempe, as well as ASU, of course, and I will continue this work as long as I live in Tempe.
