Local opinion: I’m running to get Ward 5 the investment it deserves

For too long, our Ward has not received the investment it deserves. Neighbors haven’t had a seat at the table when it comes to discussions about the city’s future. As someone who was born and raised in the south side of Tucson, I am deeply familiar with what makes our community so special. Our community is resilient, it is vibrant, and it is built on a shared respect for each other and especially those who came before us. My parents, Rene and Gracie Rodriguez, dedicated their lives to serving kids and families in the Sunnyside Unified School District (SUSD), and they taught me to work hard, take pride in our community, especially here on the southside, and do what’s right. I’ve witnessed our community come together.

After years of underrepresentation, Ward 5 has consistently experienced some of the lowest voter turnout and civic engagement in the city. To me, this isn’t the Ward 5 that I know. I know a Ward 5 where neighbors and families are deeply invested in our future. This lack of critical engagement at the civic level is not reflective of who we are, so I am running to amplify the voices of this community in the halls of city government and beyond.

Residents in Ward 5 are looking for a leader to prioritize the quality-of-life issues impacting them the most, like safer roads, better parks, clean and safe water, stronger small businesses, affordable housing and access to homeownership, and a healthy environment. When we invest in what our families need to live and grow right here, we’re building a stronger Tucson, one where families like mine can stay, feel proud, and thrive for generations.

At the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center, my mentor, Lorraine Lee, showed me how thoughtful investments can transform communities, and I was inspired to become an urban planner. At Sunnyside Foundation, I helped oversee the Community Investment Fund, directing resources to public spaces and infrastructure south of 22nd Street. I’ve worked alongside community members, from all generations and political backgrounds, to ensure our voices shape the changes we want to see. This experience made it abundantly clear that our Ward needs a new approach to civic engagement, so more of our neighbors feel like there is a place to share their concerns, rather than remain disengaged from the process.

It’s time we have someone who truly represents us.

The overwhelming support I have received during this campaign didn’t start here; it’s been years in the making. It is the result of relationships I have built, cultivated, and maintained with care, consistency, and respect. I’m proud and humbled to be endorsed by leaders from every corner of our community — political allies, labor unions, local businesses, and neighborhood champions. These endorsements aren’t just names on a list; they reflect trust, shared values, and the work we’ve already done together. Because I’ve been putting in the work, and I will continue to for years to come.

This campaign isn’t about one election, it’s about reigniting the civic engagement that has always lived within Ward 5. I believe that when our community sees itself in the decisions being made, we’ll show up, not just on Election Day, but every day after. I will always show up for our community, ensuring that every voice is heard and every resident can access the resources, services, and opportunities they deserve.