Listening to residents has always been at the center of my work as I am a social worker by trade. I hold regular “Join Jennifer” events, attend neighborhood meetings across the city, and meet people where they are in schools, parks, and small businesses. I also partner with community groups to reach residents who may not traditionally have a seat at the table. By listening first and acting thoughtfully, I make sure Tempe’s decisions reflect the full community.

My focus is on strengthening Tempe’s neighborhoods, improving our infrastructure, and keeping our parks and public spaces safe and welcoming. After 37 years working for the city and serving on council, I know how much residents depend on reliable roads, safe bike and pedestrian routes, and responsive city services. I also want Tempe to remain vibrant, with strong arts and music scenes, recreation, and cultural spaces. These priorities support a high quality of life for everyone who calls Tempe home.

I would lead a subcommittee focused on responsible, sustainable growth. Tempe is evolving quickly, and we need development that improves neighborhoods, protects natural spaces, and aligns with our long-term infrastructure needs. A sustainability-focused subcommittee could help guide policies on green building, water conservation, and quality of life improvements. This approach keeps Tempe livable while preparing us for the future.

I absolutely condemn the personal attacks and harassment we have seen against city leaders, including the recent posting of the mayor’s phone number in public parks. This kind of behavior reflects a toxic, national style of politics that does not belong in Tempe. I am a passionate person, but I am committed to staying focused on issues and solutions, not insults. Our community deserves a campaign rooted in respect, honesty, and constructive dialogue.

Yes, both affordable housing and social housing are essential for a balanced, inclusive Tempe. Affordable housing supports workers, young adults, and seniors, while social housing provides stability for residents facing greater challenges. Tempe’s growth requires a mix of housing options so people of all incomes can stay in the community they love. When housing is stable, neighborhoods are stronger.

Tempe needs a range of housing options to support workers, seniors, students, and families. I support policies that create more affordable units and encourage responsible development while protecting established neighborhoods. I also believe the city should work closely with residents before moving forward on any zoning changes or major developments. Housing should strengthen communities, not overwhelm them.

I appreciate the time and commitment that Shalimar residents have invested in protecting their neighborhood. As the proposal currently stands, I would vote no because I do not believe it reflects community priorities or provides enough clarity about long term impacts. I always take the time to fully understand a project before forming a position, and I am committed to continued dialogue with residents. Neighborhood voices must be central to any decision about this property.

The parks ordinance is a clear example of democracy working the way it should. We acted because residents across Tempe asked for help addressing serious issues in their parks, but when we saw the community pushback, we owned that it could have been done better. That is why we pulled it back and returned to the drawing board for a more thoughtful and collaborative solution. Good leadership means listening, adjusting, and being willing to improve policy when residents speak up.

Prior to my career at the City I was a social worker, working with at risk and homeless people so this is an issue I care deeply about. Tempe has reduced unsheltered homelessness by nearly 50 percent, which is an outcome no other city in the region can claim. We accomplished this by investing more than one hundred million dollars in real services such as shelter beds, case management, mental health support, and the CARE Seven and HOPE teams. I will continue working with nonprofits, churches, and service providers to expand these efforts. The goal is to provide meaningful pathways out of homelessness while protecting the safety and cleanliness of our parks and neighborhoods.

Tempe has reduced unsheltered homelessness by nearly 50 percent, and we did it by investing in real services, not pushing people out of sight. I work closely with nonprofits, faith communities, and service providers to connect people with shelter, food, mental health support, and long term housing. Collaboration is key, because no single group can address homelessness alone. Our goal is to help people rebuild their lives while keeping parks and neighborhoods safe for everyone.

Public safety is one of my top responsibilities, and I am proud that violent crime in Tempe has decreased by more than twenty percent during my time on council. I support balanced strategies that include strong police partnerships, improved street lighting, more park rangers, traffic safety measures like Operation Slow Down, and investments in mental health response teams. Residents should feel safe in every part of Tempe. I will continue using data driven approaches to make our community safer.

Tempe is a welcoming city, and every resident deserves to feel safe interacting with local government. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, not Tempe Police Department’s. No Tempe resources should be used to assist ICE.

Tempe has one of the best transportation systems in the region, including Orbit, streetcar, bus routes, and extensive bike lanes. As chair of Valley Metro, I fight for Tempe’s fair share of regional transit funding, including a recent grant that will replace aging buses. We are launching a subcommittee on micromobility to review best practices and respond quickly to safety concerns related to scooters and e bikes. My goal is to make Tempe a safe and accessible city for riders and pedestrians.

As chair of the Valley Metro RPTA Board and vice chair of the Valley Metro Rail Board, I am in a strong position to advocate for Tempe’s needs at the regional and federal level. I work closely with our partners to pursue grants for buses, rail, and safety improvements. Recent federal support for low or no emission buses is one example of how that advocacy pays off. I will keep pushing to make sure Tempe is never an afterthought when transportation dollars are distributed.

The state legislature eliminated Tempe’s rental tax, which resulted in a twenty two million dollar loss and forced us to cut our budget by about ten percent. Additional state policy changes could further reduce our revenue in the coming years. We will need experienced leaders who understand city operations and can protect core services while being strategic about limited resources. My goal is to shield residents from as many impacts as possible and keep Tempe a well run, high quality community.

I am committed to transparency, and my decisions on council are guided by what is best for Tempe residents, period. I do accept contributions from a range of community stakeholders, but they do not influence my votes. For example, Tempe’s Hometown for All program directs developer contributions straight into affordable housing, which strengthens our city. No donor will ever outweigh the voices of Tempe residents in my decision making.

Strong public schools are the foundation of a strong city. I advocate for safe routes to school, after school programs, and partnerships that connect students with hands on learning in our community. I also support efforts that expand access to early childhood education and affordable childcare, which directly helps working families. When we invest in education, we invest in Tempe’s future workforce and community stability.

I support making voting as accessible and user friendly as possible. That includes more voter registration opportunities at city events, clear multilingual election information, and resources that help residents understand how local decisions impact their daily lives. When more people vote, our decisions better reflect the community. A strong democracy depends on broad participation, and Tempe should lead by example.

I support them and am exploring putting forward a proposal that makes sense for Tempe.