As a father of a middle schooler, high schooler, and college student, I have firsthand knowledge that our educators work hard to teach this future generation of leaders, and they are severely underpaid and understaffed. Without enough educators, we hinder our ability to thrive, both as a state and as a nation.

We must ensure that our schools are fully funded and that we retain permanent qualified teachers in every classroom.

There is an immediate need for an increase in rural infrastructure funding here in the region. The traffic numbers issued by Customs and Border Protection and ADOT estimate that about nine million people travel through the area per year. We need a statewide policy to be able to provide the funding mechanism for these communities to operate and grow with the traffic flow that we have.

The economic trade and binational partnership that we have with Mexico and our state of Arizona has an outsized economic impact on our state – and brings in additional tax dollars and revenue. We need to support local communities with stronger infrastructure at the port of entries.

Yuma County is an agricultural community, producing 95 percent of the lettuce in the United States, and this community is proudly known as the winter vegetable capital of the world. Without our precious water resources, we can’t continue the agriculture industry that powers our region.

We have to address our water crisis. Yuma County feeds a large portion of our country, we need to ensure that our land, our water supply, and soil are kept in pristine condition to upkeep the conditions to produce healthy food.

When some people see a problem, I see the opportunity to assist someone. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of people with their housing needs. I am always ready to contribute to my community and district. We need to do more to ensure that housing options are affordable and accessible to every Arizonan. There are multiple barriers hindering the creation of more affordable housing. As your state representative and as someone with years of experience, I am ready to fight for my community.

I firmly believe in safeguarding women’s right to choose. I advocate for the protection and expansion of reproductive rights. Every woman in the state of Arizona should have the autonomy to make decisions about their body and access reproductive healthcare services.