Garcia: I will work only for you in Legislative District 22

Dear Northwest Valley neighbor: My name is Wendy Garcia. I am an experienced radio news director and the mother of two.

I founded Indivisible Surprise and helped organize Save Our Schools locally. I will serve “by and for the people” of Legislative District 22 to expand health care coverage, improve public schools, increase good paying jobs, cut sales taxes and restore democracy. I will lead by listening.

I began radio broadcasting as a “disc jockey.” In 1982, after being “disowned by his kinfolks,” Hank Williams Jr. wrote a song called “Family Tradition.” As the son, he asked people to respect his “unique position” while singing a “different kind of blues” than his daddy’s music. Hank Jr.’s message was that independents such as himself, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings were all still part of the country music tradition. Some folk fans did the same thing to Bob Dylan when he went “electric,” claiming he sold out as a “rock musician.”

These examples help me ask a similar question: What are my Republican opponents “conserving?” They both proudly claim to be conservatives. Yet the only thing they seem to be preserving is their job as politicians.

Ben Toma and Frank Carroll haven’t conserved anyone else’s freedom. In fact, because they neglected to address the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 5,600 Arizonans are now dead. These incumbent politicians call me liberal. Maybe that is because I am more “conservative” about protecting your liberty than them.

My sales tax cut is a good example: I will give back $700 to every Arizonan per year. Toma and Carroll want to give your money to rich tycoons through corporate tax breaks and loopholes. Wendy’s sales tax cut will stimulate our economy and grow small businesses at a time when we all need help. My sales tax cut will also rebalance Arizona’s income between revenue bases so that we are not as dependent upon the business cycle fluctuations.

This election is not about Democrats or Republicans. It’s not about labels, jargon or stereotypes. It is, however, about leadership — and having the independence to do the right thing. That is why I am campaigning as a Clean Elections candidate, so that I am accountable to you — the voter.

The incumbent politicians are running on dirty dark money funded by special interests. So guess who they work for? (Not you!) In contrast, I will always listen to you (the people).

During this COVID crisis, let me ask you Ronald Reagan’s famous question: Are you better off now than you were 2 years ago? If not, then please vote Wendy Garcia for a better future.

I want to represent you at the Arizona Capitol because the politicians are not listening to the voters like us. I will represent everyone — including those independents syncopating to Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” jazz — who don’t follow the traditional time signatures for Texas two-step, four on the floor rock rhythms, or a Classical waltz in three beats. Make the wise choice in 2020!

Wendy Garcia is a Democratic candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives representing Legislative District 22. Daily Independent has invited all candidates from LD22 to participate in this discussion by submitting guest commentaries in support of their campaigns for the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 3 election. Learn more at BeBallotReady.com.