Open a newspaper and every day you can see members of Congress from the 17th legislative district pushing extreme partisan narratives that seek to divide us in the Capitol.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s schools are underfunded, teachers are underpaid, the future of water is uncertain, and small business owners need help. Solving these challenges requires innovative thinking, pragmatic decision-making, and the willingness to set aside partisan differences for a successful nation.

Unfortunately, current elected officials in our community have already demonstrated that their goals do not include solving these difficult challenges.

I am sick and tired of our leaders ignoring voter priorities and completely abandoning Southern Arizona values. That’s why I’m running for Arizona State Senate LD17.

As an Arizonan deeply concerned about the well-being of our state, I cannot but raise serious concerns. That is the need for sensible representation in the 17th Legislative District. We must elect officials who can bridge the partisan divide and work toward practical solutions that benefit all Arizonans.

In the Army, I learned the importance of working together to accomplish a mission, and through running a small business, I learned how to build consensus and find compromises to get the job done. During my time as a member of Congress, I used these skills to bring people together to make a difference for Arizona. Through negotiation and cooperation, I successfully passed two of his bipartisan bills to begin resolving these critical issues facing the state.

One of those bills was a billion dollar initiative aimed at securing the future of Arizona’s water. Recognizing the urgency of the water crisis, I have devised a bipartisan, comprehensive solution that focuses on both increasing and saving water. By investing in a balanced approach, we aimed to ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations while protecting the environment and promoting responsible water use.

The second bill I supported was the first bipartisan budget in a decade. Recognizing the importance of fiscal responsibility and investment in the state’s future, she formulated a budget that allocated an additional $1 billion of her to support schools while keeping taxes low. This bipartisan approach allowed us to address critical funding needs without compromising the economic well-being of Arizona taxpayers.

Voters suffer when their representatives respond to marginal opinion. Here in the 17th congressional district, extremist values ​​dominate the behavior of our delegates, making our community even worse. For example, Rep. McGur (LD17) introduced a bill that would ensure that women undergoing medical treatments such as abortions would be imprisoned. Rep. Rachel Jones (LD17) introduced a bill to end Arizona’s well-established and beloved mail-in early voting system. What do these bills do other than ensure that our freedoms are limited? What are they doing to address our housing, education and water crises?

During my time in Congress, my focus was on being the type of bipartisan successful leader to address water shortages and increase funding for education. I understand the importance of working together. After all, we were sent to Congress to communicate our priorities to voters.

In LD 17 you have the opportunity to shape the trajectory of your nation. We must vote for candidates who prioritize the well-being of their communities over divisive rhetoric and extreme legislation.

I am confident that LD 17 and Arizona can create a thriving future under common sense leadership. Together, let us pave the way for progress, unity and prosperity for all. By electing legislators who embody our values ​​of cooperation and pragmatism, we can overcome the challenges ahead and ensure a brighter future for LD 17 and Arizona as a whole.