The city of Phoenix uses a council-manager form of government with three main positions: mayor, councilmember and city manager. The mayor and council members set policies and budgets and hire the city manager, who oversees daily operations.
About District 7
District 7 includes parts of downtown, south Phoenix, Laveen, Estrella and Maryvale. Residents will vote in two races: a special vacancy election to choose a member to serve until April 2025, and a regular election to choose a member to serve a permanent four-year term starting in April 2025. Some candidates are running in both elections.
The two elections are required because former Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari resigned to run for Congress. At that time, the council appointed a temporary replacement.
To win a seat, a candidate must garner more than 50% of the vote. If there is no clear winner, a run-off election will be held in March 2025 for the top two candidates with the most votes.
About the candidates
Martyn Bridgeman is running for temporary term and full term. Bridgeman is a real-estate agent, board member of Phoenix Center of the Arts and co-founder of the SEEN, a nonprofit supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Bridgeman’s priorities include responsible development, community empowerment and public safety.
Carlos Galindo-Elvira is the incumbent running for temporary term only. Appointed to the seat in April 2024 to serve an interim term, Galindo-Elvira pledged to donate his paychecks to nonprofit groups in his district. He supports public safety resources, accountability and training; and increasing public access to chilled water stations.
Anna Hernandez is running for full term only. A state senator who previously worked in banking and mortgage industries, Hernandez ran for office after Phoenix police officers killed her brother. She supports mental health services, addressing the impact of climate change on communities and increasing affordable housing.
Michael Nowakowski is running for temporary term and full term. A former Phoenix councilman for 13 years, Nowakowski says he will advocate for safer neighborhoods through a community-based approach and faster response times from police and firefighters. He supports repurposing abandoned and city-owned properties to create more affordable housing.
Marcelino Quiñonez is running for full term only. A teacher and former state legislator, Quiñonez resigned from the state Legislature to run for City Council. His priorities include increasing affordable housing, economic growth, safe communities and addressing infrastructure issues.
Candidate questionnaire
KJZZ News sent each candidate the same questions addressing various issues, including homelessness, public safety and potential tax increases and program cuts. Responses appear in alphabetical order, unedited and in their entirety.
Why do you want to be a council member?
MARTYN BRIDGEMAN: As a native Phoenician who grew up in this city and District 7. I’ve witnessed first-hand the vitality of its people and the missed opportunities that have prevented it from reaching its full potential. I believe that District 7 can become the crown jewel of Phoenix’s district system. We’re blessed with vibrant and diverse neighborhoods full of character that should be strengthened, not undermined by misguided public policies.
District 7 by population is comparable to the cities of Tempe and Peoria, yet we lack the economic engines of both cities. I personally know of the disparities within our district, and I'm committed to addressing them with the support of the dedicated people in District 7. Our strength is tied to how we uplift our most challenged neighborhoods, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t effective.
From knocking on more than 3,000 doors in our district, residents have told me that they are seeking a councilperson who is willing to listen, cares about their issues and will be their voice at city hall.
I plan to be the voice to the voiceless. I am willing to be the advocate for all in District 7 regardless of zip code. I am willing to be the advocate amongst the least of us. I am willing to place the agenda of District 7 center stage first and foremost. It is both a passion and commitment of mine to change the perception of a district that is the most diverse district in the city with a built-in reservoir of opportunity and goodwill.
CARLOS GALINDO-ELVIRA: The decision to be on the Phoenix City Council came with deep reflection of what it takes to lead and to serve the public good. Honestly, it came down to three must do things: connecting, communicating and creating.
The small-town values I learned growing-up in rural Arizona have served me well throughout my personal and professional life and they greatly inform my role as a Phoenix councilman: caring for neighbors, courtesy costs nothing, and community is everything. These values are transferable no matter the size of the community.
While this position comes with a small window to accomplish big things; it’s the opportunity to help families in district 7 that energizes me to do as much as I can in the time that I have for as many as I can. Additionally, I would continue making good on the pledge I made to donate my council salary to charities within District 7. To date we’ve contributed to twenty organizations assisting youth, families, the unhoused, and elementary schools.
ANNA HERNANDEZ: Running for Phx Council D7 provides an opportunity to influence the city budget to be more equitable and fight for investments that our communities need. Being a council member provides a greater opportunity to have an immediate impact on bettering the material conditions of the residents of the district.
MICHAEL NOWAKOWSKI: I decided to run for Phoenix City Council because I am tired of seeing residents in District 7 being denied their fair share. For example, it is not fair that the Phoenix light rail system has been built and finished in the northwest part of the city, while the residents of south Phoenix and downtown Phoenix are still waiting for their part of the light rail expansion to be built. Residents have said to me that they have seen little-to-no progress in the past five years. This is only one of many issues that residents of District 7 have personally asked me for help with. Some other issues include ensuring safe neighborhoods and parks, attracting high-wage jobs, helping small businesses, and increasing affordable housing options within our district.
I also decided to run for this position because – although the other candidates are good candidates with good intentions – I am the only candidate with 13 years of experience and a track record of showing that I can advocate and fight for District 7.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The light rail Northwest Extension Phase II is 1.6 miles. Construction began September 2020 and it opened for service in January 2024. The South Central Extension/Downtown Hub is 5.5 miles. Construction began October 2019 and is expected to open for service in mid-2025.
MARCELINO QUIÑONEZ: I am seeking this seat so that I can have a more direct influence on the issues that I am passionate about, chiefly housing, job growth, public safety, and constituent services. I also want to ensure that the entire district is connected to every Phoenix department to progress a city government that works for all of its residents. These issues have been the work of my public life, and I want to continue to advocate for them in a position that enables me to affect immediate and impactful change. Ultimately, I have been fortunate enough to experience the American Dream and I want to make sure others do too.
What are your priorities specific to your district? How would you address them?
BRIDGEMAN: First, I would look at ways to strengthen our neighborhoods by making sure they are not overlooked or overran by bad public policies that negatively impact quality of life. I will collaborate with neighborhood associations in my district by listening to their concerns and developing an action plan on how to address them
Second, I’ll leverage my experience and expertise in economic development to partner with the city's economic development department to attract businesses and industries that are align with our district’s goals. We want to keep our vibrant workforce from having to seek job opportunities elsewhere, this can make certain that spending stays within our community and benefits our own local economy.
Third, public safety and quality of life will be the centerpiece of my administration. District 7 will no longer be a haven for those who take the American Dream away from others. People need to feel and be safe in their communities. It’s a right and expectation for all of our district residents and it will be a focal point for the Bridgeman Administration too.
I will work with my colleagues, the City Manager and the Police Chief, as well as other city officials to change the narrative of our district. Resources will be fairly and equitably distributed, making District 7 a safe place for people to live, work and play in the city. I’m prepared to lead this effort.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: The issues I've prioritized reflect the consistent ones expressed to me by residents: public safety, heat resiliency, homelessness, and parks & recreation. The last six months gave me a chance to work on these issues with community members and staff as well as to dive deeper into specific issues like building a partnership between the Phoenix Fire Department and Fry’s Food Stores for access to ice bags during summer months for the use of life-saving pods for heat-related illnesses on way to the hospital. An activity that brings me joy is calling the cards out loud for games of Lotería with seniors at our centers in Maryvale and South Phoenix. A priority that I’m not willing to walk-away from is fundraising for purchase of additional chilled water stations for park areas in District 7, particularly at Desert West Community Center and South Mountain Community Center.
HERNANDEZ: (a) Housing - We need to work on reforming our local zoning codes to ensure we are allowing for the onboarding of various housing typologies such as starter homes, ADU’s or casitas, duplexes, and triplexes. We also need to streamline our permitting process. In addition, we also need to strengthen our tenants protections and reform our eviction process so that we can work on ensuring we are keeping our residents housed.
(b) Infrastructure and quality job creation - We need to ensure we are strengthening our infrastructure and create livable wage quality jobs throughout the city of Phoenix.
(c) Heat/Climate Crisis - Expand heat protection for workers as well as find ways to create more safe shelter spaces for our unhoused communities that are disproportionately affected by the heat. We also need to work on various solutions that would address our climate crisis such as expanding public transportation, and creating more shaded areas across the city.
NOWAKOWSKI: My top priorities for my district are homelessness, public safety, safe and clean neighborhoods and parks, affordable housing, and road infrastructure.
My first priority is to address homelessness, as it has significantly increased in Phoenix, particularly in District 7. Almost all of the homeless shelters in Phoenix are in Districts 7 and 8, and this is just wrong. Residents have to deal with shelters only providing a temporary place to stay for people experiencing homelessness. After that, individuals end up at our traffic intersections, neighborhood parks, and gas stations. When it comes to homelessness, each person’s situation is so different. That’s why my approach will be to expand city services for comprehensive homeless outreach. We must tackle each individual’s root cause of homelessness rather than warehousing people.
Another important priority is public safety. Residents in District 7 often tell me that they do not feel safe in their own neighborhoods. During my previous term on the city council, I was the Chair of the Public Safety Subcommittee. I worked closely with Phoenix residents and the Phoenix Police Department to promote public safety. Moving forward, I plan to advocate for increased public safety by concentrating efforts on community involvement, police staffing, retention, response times, training, and transparency.
The next priority is ensuring safe and clean neighborhoods and parks. Every resident deserves to feel safe and secure; in District 7, this is not the case. Residents have to deal with dirty parks, broken streetlights, and unsafe neighborhoods. I plan on tackling this issue by taking what I like to call the TeamPHX approach – gathering community members with law enforcement and city services to meet about what the community needs from the city, and what the city can provide to the community.
Addressing the rising cost of living in Phoenix is a serious issue. District 7 is made up of working families who deserve affordable housing to grow and prosper. To tackle this issue, I will support programs and incentives for first-time homeowners and foster relationships with nonprofits to build more affordable housing and workforce housing to address the housing shortages.
Lastly, in District 7 we see a lot of unsafe roads that need repairs. Maintaining and repairing our roads is crucial for public safety. District 7 is growing and in need of road expansions, which is why I will prioritize the safety, maintenance, repair, and expansions of our roads — because transportation growth and road repairs contribute to our quality of life. I will support investments to make our roads safer, including traffic-calming measures and technology that improves the functionality, safety, and efficiency of our roads.
QUIÑONEZ: My priorities for the district center on housing affordability, job growth, and public safety. My approach to the work is based on my training as a teacher which has given me a focus on community engagement and bringing as many parties to the table as possible. I believe it is only through the involvement of our neighbors and an active dialogue between representatives and voters that we can create the change we are looking for.
What do you consider to be a significant challenge citywide? How would you work with other council members to address it?
BRIDGEMAN: Affordable housing is a citywide problem that requires a citywide solution. The same thing can be said of our homeless crisis and the unfortunate number of those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders. These maladies can drain the soul of the city. We’ve seen what has happened in other jurisdictions who failed to act on these issues, and it has worked to their detriment. When it comes to addressing these challenges, the City of Phoenix stands at a crucial crossroads. What we choose to do next will shape the long-term future of District 7.
The solution does not mean to place these services in one area of the city, which has often been the formula in the past leading to disastrous results. It requires these services to be evenly dispersed with realistic benchmarks to measure success. When elected to office, I will push such an approach alongside my colleagues. I’ll also push to create a citywide dashboard to track our progress with full transparency, addressing these challenges, so that residents can see firsthand how we are doing to address these problems.
We can no longer push our issues down the road, as we’re are at the end of the road from the community's perspective. They’re demanding action and rightfully so. I’m looking forward to the voters of District 7 hiring me so that I can implement plans that will not only benefit Phoenicians citywide, but will uplift the residents of District 7 into realizing their full potential.
District 7 is going to be a destination of choice for those seeking vitality, vibrancy and elevated quality of life. It’s time to get to work to make this vision a reality!
GALINDO-ELVIRA: The greatest challenge citywide is finding a solution to homelessness impacting numerous departments like public safety and parks and recreation to name a few. It's one of the greatest issues in Phoenix and throughout the world needing a multi-faceted and multi-layered approach of providing affordable housing, workforce development, childcare, and integrated healthcare (physical and mental). The City of Phoenix's work with unhoused persons this past summer demonstrated good results and ongoing improvement to better address heat resiliency, crime and shelter placement. Arizona's ever increasing hot temperatures adds immediacy for both the mayor and council's offices to jointly work with staff to address this issue early in the year and to include the community's feedback and respond to concerns. Since my appointment, my role has been to provide support and back initiatives to address extreme heat, access to cooling centers, and roll out of the shelter on 71st Avenue and Van Buren.
HERNANDEZ: Housing is a significant challenge citywide that is affecting each district in various ways. I would work with the other council members by building a robust stakeholder group that could identify and prioritize solutions that would be beneficial to the respective districts so that there is an adequate increase in housing in each district.
NOWAKOWSKI: Homelessness is a big issue in District 7; it is also a citywide issue. The first thing I would do is bring all the councilmembers to my district to show them the effects that homelessness has had on residents. I will then work alongside councilmembers to find practical and realistic solutions instead of just throwing money at the issue. We need to create a strategy that attacks the root causes of individuals experiencing homelessness; everyone is different and each person dealing with homelessness needs different services to help get them back on their feet.
QUIÑONEZ: Throughout my time running for this seat, I have repeatedly heard from voters about the cost of living and a disparity of economic opportunity. What I would like to advance is a business and economic environment that elevates our community and allows people to be able to afford everything from daily necessities to homes. I believe this can be accomplished by supporting small businesses, growing industry in Phoenix, and ensuring that the job market treats workers fairly. Additionally, as a teacher, I believe that expanding educational opportunities will help forge the next generation of competitive workers in Phoenix.
In order to achieve this with other council members, I would continue my people over politics approach. I prefer to focus on creating coalitions where I can be effective rather than becoming mired in political battles that do nothing to serve the community. At the end of the day we all have the city’s best interest at heart and I believe that common ground will help me build the relationships needed to deliver real results for Phoenix.
New state policies are impacting city budgets, including the change from a graduated income tax scale to a flat tax and the elimination of sales tax on residential rentals. Over the next two fiscal years, Phoenix projects baseline shortfalls of $92 million and $31 million. If faced with a deficit, will you support raising taxes or cutting programs or services? Which taxes, programs or services would you consider increasing or decreasing and why?
BRIDGEMAN: It is the state who have sought to balance their budget at the expense of the taxpayers of Phoenix by removing the city's revenue stream like the rental tax and cutting back on other state shared revenues earmarked to cities and towns putting into jeopardy the financial wellbeing of these communities including Phoenix. We are then left with a tradeoff of public safety and quality of life and a degradation of our way of life. That is not a tradeoff I am willing to make. I remain committed to Public Safety, programs for youth and seniors, arts and culture and other activities that define who we are as a city that makes living, working, and playing in the City of Phoenix a desirable place to be. If this means a modest tax increase to maintain this social commitment to our way of life in Phoenix that is something that I am prepared to support and make.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: I voted to adopt a budget with $80 million reserved for use in the 2024-25 fiscal year budget as a practical way to address the shortfall. The loss of sales tax on residential rentals created a devastating impact on the city's source of revenue. It was a gut punch to the city’s budget!
Certainly, a well thought-out plan with priorities will need to be made for funding departments and programs by looking at streamlining processes to create efficiency for service delivery and to keep costs down.
I support a modest increase in the food sales tax with specific and dedicated areas of use. For example, to support firefighters with needed resources to improve call times. The taxpayer should know from the beginning where the funds will be used.
HERNANDEZ: Phoenix works with a nearly $6 billion budget. In the situation of a deficit, I believe it would be imperative to look at the current budget to identify areas of opportunity that would prevent raising taxes or cutting services to residents. I would support looking at an increase in a sales tax if we are unable to resolve the deficit and would make every attempt possible to ensure services are not cut.
NOWAKOWSKI: Based on these projected baseline shortfalls, what we must do is create a zero budget, where the city of Phoenix will spend and allocate a budget to what we need rather than what we want. There are fundamental services and extra amenities that the City of Phoenix provides; some of these fundamental services include: public safety (police, fire department, and court system), infrastructure (transportation, water, energy), and waste management. After we create a budget that provides our residents with fundamental services, then we can use any extra funds to provide people with extra amenities. I will not support raising taxes unless we have gone through the budget with a fine-tooth comb. It’s important to audit ourselves and look at other revenue streams such as county, state, and federal grants. If none of these options help and we are not able to provide residents with the extra amenities they desire to have, then my last resort is to create a tax and/or a fee for those amenities.
QUIÑONEZ: If faced with a deficit I would explore every viable option to ensure that our city’s budget can continue to provide necessary services to all Phoenicians. Arriving at a decision over tax hikes or spending cuts cannot be done effectively without the input of the community and I would host various town halls and forums to get their direct input and take my cue from my neighbors.
Homelessness continues to be a top concern among residents. In 2020, the city council adopted the Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan, and in 2022, Phoenix launched an Office of Homeless Solutions. The city spends tens of millions of dollars annually on outreach, behavioral and mental health services, workforce development, shelters, encampment cleanups, rental assistance and eviction prevention efforts, and new housing for low-to-moderate income residents. When addressing homelessness, what areas do you think the city should invest more or less in and why?
BRIDGEMAN: I think the City of Phoenix should invest in all aforementioned areas equally, as each one offers a holistic approach to addressing homelessness. There are people experiencing homelessness for a number of reasons. For instance, many have faced evictions due to rent increases that they can no longer afford. Others are homeless because of unfortunate mental health issues that they need assistance with.
Outreach when addressing homelessness is crucial because it requires understanding the specific needs of those affected. Engaging directly with them is essential to providing the support they need. During my canvassing, I was approached by “Derrick” who is experiencing homelessness, struggling with mental health issues and battling addiction. He also has a B.S in Psychology. We spent roughly 40 minutes engaged in conversation about what it would take for him to be “welcomed amongst society.”
He highlighted several needs: 30–45 day transitional housing to provide him with a stable address for employment (he emphasized that he's seeking a hand up, not a handout), and the need to address those who exploit individuals with mental health issues among the homeless. For Derrick, leaving detox centers is manageable, but the daily realities of life and mental health challenges are difficult. While the City of Phoenix offers some support, we need to expand these services to avoid compromising the well-being of our communities.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: First and foremost, the public must have many opportunities to participate in addressing this issue that directly affects their neighborhoods. Neighbors across District 7 have voiced their concerns ranging from an increase in crime to mounting trash in parks. I have witnessed City of Phoenix staff responsiveness to concerns and work to bring all departments together in addressing complaints and concerns. I plan on conducting a listening tour to the neighborhoods with the highest number of incidents and reports in January along with staff to hear their ideas and obtain the earliest possible participation in the process.
Access to counsel is a necessary investment to assist families receiving eviction notices and to understand court proceedings. I have heard heart-breaking stories, in Spanish and English, of families losing their homes with little to no idea of the process. The combined loss of the roof over their head and a feeling of insecurity is present and painful. Also, a study on this program’s impact and measurement of efficiency is needed. Results can help determine a responsible budget for the city of our size.
The City of Phoenix cannot arrest its way out of the homelessness issue. Our police department will continue to lead with services to render the aid most appropriate to the individual(s). I supported the new encampment ordinance focusing on public spaces, schools and childcare centers as a means of safety for them and to make a push in directing unhoused persons toward services and shelter.
HERNANDEZ: The city should invest more resources into direct rental assistance as well as building out a sustainable right to counsel program that would be beneficial in preventing residents from ending in a homelessness situation. We should also look at ways to remove outdated barriers that would enable faster building of housing across the city by investing into upgraded technology that would assist in streamlining the process where appropriate.
NOWAKOWSKI: I was a councilmember when the 2020 plan was adopted and used in the City of Phoenix. I believe that this plan wasn’t as effective as it could have been because it was driven by the mayor and had little-to-no input from councilmembers. In order to help and reduce the number of homeless individuals, the city council must create a strategy that includes insight from residents and all city departments. Our current solution to homelessness is throwing money into old buildings and temporarily warehousing individuals. We must attack the root cause of the individual’s situation. Every person experiencing homelessness is different and has different reasons for being unhoused, so if we surround them with the proper help, we will be able to find solutions to our current situation.
QUIÑONEZ: Homelessness is a complicated issue that requires creative collaboration between many people, organizations, and government entities at all levels. The City of Phoenix has introduced a series of programs and ideas to limit the number of people experiencing homelessness and as those programs continue to evolve and grow, we should look at the data to see which programs are effective and which ones need to be reconsidered.
After a 34-month investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Phoenix Police have engaged in a “pattern or practice” of violating constitutional and civil rights. The DOJ has said it expects to work constructively with the city and the police department to ensure reforms are timely and fully implemented, but no agreement between the DOJ and Phoenix has been announced. Have you read the DOJ report? If so, how do you think the city and police department should respond?
BRIDGEMAN: After reading the DOJ report. I believe that the the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department need to develop a comprehensive plan that has quantitative goals that focuses on the internal and external support and controls of the Phoenix Police Department. This plan should be thoughtful and proactive, rather than reactionary or swayed by public opinion (whether you support the Phoenix Police Department or not). This plan must promote collaboration, strategies on how to positively advance the city, and address community concerns, while giving officers the support they need, and our citizens the protection they deserve.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: The change of course recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice and demanded by the public will not be found in an extreme zero police funding response. Constituents, from throughout District 7 and of varying backgrounds have broadly shared with me public safety is a concern and they want a continued police presence in their neighborhoods and to be there when calling 9-1-1. What they’ve asked for is good policing. Good policing must be done with full faith in the law, care and conscientiousness toward all Phoenix residents no matter their racial or ethnic background, housing status, age, or political leaning.
I do not support entering a consent decree with the federal government as dollars and resources can best be spent judiciously close to home. We can be a self-assessing and self-correcting police department by instituting best police policy practices that are measurable and with built-in accountability standards for city and police leadership.
I voted for and support the appointment of Civilian Review Board members and look forward to the nominations by Mayor Kate Gallego.
HERNANDEZ: Yes I have read the DOJ report. The report clearly shows that oversight and accountability are desperately needed in Phoenix. I believe that the city and the police department have to be open to working with community leaders that have worked for years on advocating for changes to address the grave issues that exist in the department. I also believe they have to be willing to implement robust changes that will not have a negative financial impact on the city budget and that would create a path that would allow for officers that abuse the badge and fail to follow procedures to be held accountable.
NOWAKOWSKI: While I was on city council, I was the Chair for Public Safety for 8 years. We were known for our great community engagement with the police department. Now, four years later, Phoenix Police was investigated and found to have engaged in a “pattern or practice” of violating constitutional and civil rights. This is something I do not understand. There are situations where police did do wrong and the Phoenix Police Department agrees that those officers must be held accountable. Our police officers need to be held to the highest standard. I believe that as a city and police department, we can handle this situation on our own. I believe that our police department was being tasked with things that they were not trained to do. For example, the police have been tasked with wellness checks; in the past, wellness checks were provided by the State Department of Health. Now, the police are tasked with that. The police are not trained to deal with mentally ill individuals; they are trained to enforce the law when someone calls 911. I believe that, as a city, we can fix this situation. There just needs to be clear channels of communication and responsibilities. I believe that we have the staff and the ability to figure out this problem. We need to create community-based policing, where the police chief creates lines of communication between the police and residents. Police should not only be seen when we call 911; they need to be involved and present in our neighborhoods during the good times as well.
QUIÑONEZ: After having read the report, it is clear to me that reform within the Phoenix Police Department is vital to ensure responsible policing and that our neighbors can feel truly safe and protected. I believe we should all work collectively to establish trust and must focus on transparency, technology, and training to achieve this. To that end, I do not support the consent decree because I believe Phoenix taxpayer dollars are best used to determine our path forward when handled by Phoenix residents. Trust can only be built from within the community and I will endeavor to do all I can to create an open, wide reaching dialogue between the Police Department, the city, and its residents.
EDITOR’S NOTE: All candidates’ responses were submitted prior to the City Council’s Sept. 24 policy session where members publicly discussed the DOJ findings, recommendations and actions already taken, in progress and planned by the police department.
What does the city do well and what can be done to improve on it?
BRIDGEMAN: The City of Phoenix excels in civic engagement, offering multiple avenues for constituents to stay informed. With resources like Channel 11, live-streamed City Council meetings, and surveys to gauge satisfaction with city services, Phoenix makes significant efforts to keep residents connected. The City of Phoenix’s website highlights key sections including City Council Meetings, Boards and Commissions, City Checkbook, City Manager’s Budget, Proposed Taxes & Fees, Data Transparency, Ethics, and Homeless Solutions.
However, there’s room for improvement in how this information is marketed to residents. To increase participation in City Council and policy meetings, I propose holding evening council meetings on a quarterly bases, as well as decentralizing policy meetings across various districts. By involving community leaders in setting the agenda, these meetings can better reflect local issues and provide valuable insights to senior management, who often are disconnected to the general public. Enhanced communication and broader engagement will help us address issues effectively and propel the City of Phoenix forward.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: The City hires the best talented individuals throughout its vast number of departments, from the working man doing the wiring on light rail track to the female police officer working on report at a precinct. I have personally thanked as many city staff members for their service as possible in the last six months.
HERNANDEZ: There are various things the city does well but one of the things I like the best is the weatherization program to help residents improve the conditions of their homes to face the different weather impacts we see. One improvement that can be made on that is to find ways to ensure more residents know about the program.
NOWAKOWSKI: Phoenix uses roughly the same amount of water now than it did 20 years ago, despite our population significantly increasing by about half a million residents. The city has done a commendable job of making sure residents are informed about conserving and preserving our water. During my time on the city council, we even used the city’s water as a resource by selling wastewater to the Palo Verde Generating Station; the power plant used the wastewater to cool down the steam produced by its nuclear reactors. The city also made sure that new developments used desert landscaping to prevent homes and residential areas from using more water than needed. Phoenix is located in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, so the city must continue to find new ways to preserve our water and use our wastewater.
QUIÑONEZ: Phoenix has an incredible roster of city employees who work tirelessly to address the needs of all Phoenicians. Throughout my career, I have engaged with various departments on a variety of issues and have found every employee I have worked with to be thoughtful, kind, and effective. I believe the best way to build upon this strength is by increasing community trust and interaction with these individuals and the departments they serve. When our neighbors know and trust the people working on their behalf, our communities are not only closer, but better equipped to advocate for their needs.
How will you engage with residents and get them involved with the decision making process?
BRIDGEMAN: I’m currently working with a developer of an app that will allow me to conduct virtual townhalls. I want to connect with constituents in a meaningful way, and I feel that this will be a great tool. I’ll be able to uncover valuable insights, build consensus, cultivate trust and represent them when making decisions. Additionally, I’m committed to being present at community meetings and events - not just making a brief appearance for a photo op. I plan to actively engage with residents, be available via email and phone, as well as showing up at their door to have meaningful conversations. If you’re going to represent the people and get them involved, you have to meet them where they are at.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: Engagement with residents must be sincere and purposeful. Election year conversions on issues and choreographed compassion only serve the candidate’s needs. Getting residents involved means being prepared to listen first, share all information (in Spanish if necessary) and listen again. Residents want plain spoken explanations and results. Respond when they call, text or email. We exist to serve residents and to help meet their needs, period.
HERNANDEZ: I will ensure that I engage the community residents by holding quarterly meetings that are more accessible to the working families of the district. I also would ensure that our office is always reachable and that residents are receiving responses from our office. I believe that sharing out updates on the things happening in the district will also help invite the residents to join in co-governing with our office.
NOWAKOWSKI: During my 13 years on the city council, I watched councilmembers make decisions for their Districts without first listening to the interests of the residents who live there. This is why, when I was on the city council, I created a program called Take Back Your Neighborhood. The program was designed to solve issues within District 7 and in the city. I would host meetings with community members, business owners, law enforcement agencies, spiritual leaders, institutions, different city departments, school leaders, and other community leaders. We would go through a SWOT analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that are in the community and from there we came up with a plan. In this plan, everyone had a role – from the residents to the businesses and institutions – which allowed the residents to take back their neighborhoods from gangs and other negative elements. This initiative was about getting everyone involved with what was happening in the city overall and their neighborhoods in particular. It also allowed me to listen and learn from everyone’s point of view.
I would also bring the city to District 7 residents. I would make myself and different city departments available to the community. I did this by hosting events at local libraries and parks, creating movies in the park events, and hosting different neighborhood clinics. During these events, I was able to gather different perspectives from each resident to best serve the district.
QUIÑONEZ: I believe that once a Council member is elected, it is their responsibility to be as involved and visible in the community as possible. My office will be committed to delivering exceptional constituent support, working tirelessly to connect every neighbor to the help they need. From potholes to permits to speed bumps to city resources and programs, my focus is making sure that our city works for us. Additionally, I believe community input is essential and will hold town halls and forums to ensure that I keep an open dialogue with all constituents. If elected, I will always have an open mind and an open door, ready to assist however I can.
What area of your district do you live in and why?
BRIDGEMAN: As an adult, I’ve lived in downtown Phoenix for the last 13 years (District 8 for six years and in District 7 for the last seven years). Simply put, I live downtown for my view. If I could live in each area of District 7, I would. I enjoy Grand Avenue for its small business culture and love that it still feels like an arts district. I love South Phoenix for its history and the opportunity to encourage responsible development while embracing those who have called South Phoenix home. I enjoy Laveen and Estrella because you can see the stars at night and the potential for urban rural lifestyle that can be done there with thoughtful planning. Maryvale, I like because it still feels like a community where families have lived and grown up with each other for generations and now their children are growing up together, strengthening the family and community bond.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: My family and I have lived in District 7 for over 21 years. We made the choice to live in an area where diversity was present and important with easy access to both Tempe and Central Phoenix was easy. Serving as a councilman has given me a chance to visit areas across District 7 not previously seen, eat at restaurants not yet tasted, and drive in neighborhoods with a ranch, small town or cityscape feel.
HERNANDEZ: I live in the Maryvale part of the district. I really enjoy living in Maryvale because it is an area of the city so rich in culture and vibrancy.
NOWAKOWSKI: I live in Central City, which has many old homes and buildings that tell the history and story of Phoenix. I love living in this area of District 7 because it has many historic districts and areas, it is conveniently located next to downtown Phoenix, and is within a close proximity to the I-17 and I-10.
QUIÑONEZ: I lived most of my life in South Phoenix and am now a downtown resident. I moved to the downtown area because I love the vibrancy, the cultural celebrations of our city and state, and above all else, my neighbors. I am proud to call the district my home and am honored I am in contention to be its voice on the city council.
Do you believe Arizona elections are fairly executed? Will you trust the results and abide by them? Why or why not?
BRIDGEMAN: I believe that elections in Arizona are conducted fairly. I have confidence in the results and will accept them as they are. What is wonderful about the voting process is that there are safeguards in place and random samples of ballots making sure that every vote counts. And for an additional level of transparency, voters can track their ballots.
GALINDO-ELVIRA: As a former staff member of the Pinal County Recorder's office and having had the experience of signature verification and absentee ballot storage, I know firsthand the diligence practiced ensuring every vote counts and every ballot gets counted. I strongly believe elections held throughout our state are free and fair. I trust the results. Mostly, I respect the election officials and election day workers for their constancy of upholding democracy and access to the ballot box so the will of the people can be exercised and expressed.
HERNANDEZ: I have served in the Senate Elections committee for the last 2 years and have seen first hand the many individuals that look to sow division and fear in our election systems by parroting conspiracy theories and refusing to accept the results simply because they do not like the result of one race. We cannot encourage those actions. I absolutely believe that elections in Arizona are fair and I will trust and respect the results.
NOWAKOWSKI: I have run three times for city council; all three races were open and transparent with no flaws. Whenever I had a question, the City Clerk’s Office was always helpful.
I am now running in my fourth election for District 7. I believe Arizona elections are fairly executed and I will trust the results and abide by them.
QUIÑONEZ: A hallmark of American democracy is faith and trust in our electoral process. I know Arizona’s elections are fairly executed because I have met and served with individuals on the front line of protecting our voice at the ballot box. I will trust and abide by the results of our election because I know the outcome on November fifth will be the will of the vote
