Issues
Ensuring Safe Neighborhoods for Everyone
My family and I live on Tacoma’s eastside, a neighborhood that experiences higher rates of crime than other parts of the city. No parent should have to worry about their kids getting home safely, yet this is a reality for too many families. Creating a safer Tacoma requires solutions that reflect the unique needs of each community. We need a professional, well-trained, fully staffed police department, but we also must invest in alternative response teams to address non-life-threatening emergencies. By efficiently dispatching co-responders for these situations, we can free up law enforcement to focus on urgent and dangerous calls.
I also believe in community-driven public safety measures that integrate neighborhood needs with city resources. Whether it’s neighborhood watch programs, better street lighting, or partnerships with local organizations, these efforts can foster stronger, safer communities. Addressing youth gun violence must also be a top priority. Programs like gun buybacks, lockbox distribution, and community-led initiatives are essential for keeping firearms off our streets and reducing harm.
Finally, lasting public safety requires addressing the root causes of crime. When families have access to affordable housing, living wages, and economic stability, we create safer neighborhoods for everyone. Together, we can build a Tacoma where all residents feel secure and supported.
Supporting Local Businesses
Fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit of my family's trucking business, I launched my first community-serving venture at just nineteen: a food truck. Since then, my career has spanned diverse sectors, with a recent focus on workforce development and economic growth. Yet, my most fulfilling work has been guiding companies and organizations through challenging dialogues and transformative equity initiatives via my consulting business.
Small and family-owned businesses are truly the heart of Tacoma's economy. They provide stability, generate jobs, and build lasting wealth for families. As a small business owner with over two decades of experience, and having coached and consulted with over 100 entrepreneurs, I deeply understand both the joys and the hurdles of running a business. On the council, I'm committed to ensuring city policies truly reflect the varied needs of business owners throughout Tacoma, from the Lincoln District to NE Tacoma.
Supporting our local businesses also means tackling property crime, which has placed a significant financial burden on too many owners. By strengthening public safety efforts and bolstering our business communities, we can reduce vandalism and theft, lower operating costs for owners, and enhance the sense of safety for customers shopping locally.
Furthermore, I will champion initiatives that encourage Tacoma residents to actively support our local businesses. When we invest in our small business community, we cultivate a stronger, more resilient local economy that benefits us all.
Creating a Thriving Economy
Too many Tacomans are underemployed or working jobs that don’t pay a living wage, making it difficult to support their families. I know this struggle firsthand, and I’m committed to creating an economy where all workers have opportunities to thrive. As the Career Advisor and Community Outreach Specialist at Workforce Central, I’ve helped connect individuals to job opportunities and skills training that lead to higher wages.
In my current role at the Washington State Department of Commerce, I manage over $64 million in workforce development grants, including $15 million for the Career Accelerator Program, which supports unemployed and underemployed workers. I’ve also overseen $50 million in grants aimed at workforce training and economic development. This experience has equipped me with the tools to address the challenges Tacoma faces in creating jobs that pay a living wage.
Tacoma also has the opportunity to lead in the transition to a green economy. By investing in renewable energy projects and green infrastructure, we can create good-paying jobs while addressing the climate crisis. My experience managing workforce development programs has prepared me to balance the needs of businesses and employees, building a stronger and more sustainable economy for our community.
Increasing Access to Affordable Housing
Tacoma is facing an affordable housing crisis that demands immediate and innovative solutions. As a former Housing Navigator, I’ve worked directly with chronically homeless individuals and understand the barriers they face. Addressing this crisis requires comprehensive policies that go beyond short-term relief. We need to expand access to affordable housing, increase shelter capacity, and create transitional programs to help residents stabilize their lives.
I also support removing barriers to mixed-use development and zoning reforms, which can lower costs for residents and business owners while creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. Prioritizing homeownership opportunities and ensuring residents have the resources to stay housed during economic hardships will create long-term stability for families.
On the council, I will champion solutions that address the root causes of homelessness, including mental health services, job training, and partnerships with local organizations. Everyone in Tacoma deserves a safe, stable place to call home.
Supporting Working Families
As a working mom of two, I know firsthand the challenges families in Tacoma face. Access to affordable, reliable childcare is a growing concern, preventing many parents from maintaining stable employment. By partnering with the Tacoma School District, Metro Parks Tacoma, and local organizations, we can expand childcare options and after-school programs, giving parents peace of mind while they work.
Working families are also feeling the strain of rising property taxes and the high cost of living. As a homeowner, I understand how these pressures affect a family’s ability to save for emergencies or invest in their future. My experience managing workforce development programs has shown me how targeted investments in living wages and workforce training can lift families out of poverty and create lasting stability.
Every family in Tacoma deserves access to safe neighborhoods, quality childcare, and economic opportunities. Together, we can ensure that Tacoma lives up to its promise as the City of Destiny for every resident.
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Community for Immigrants
As the daughter of immigrants – my father from Jalisco, Mexico, and my mother from a migrant agricultural family in Walla Walla, Washington – my early childhood in Mexico gifted me a deep appreciation for tradition, culture, and resilience. These values have been my constant companions. Furthermore, my experience as an immigration paralegal has provided me with a firsthand understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by immigrant families navigating our legal system. Given this background, I deeply understand the difficulties our immigrant, refugee, and migrant communities face today. Given the current presidential administration's harmful policies, our local governments must step up to protect immigrants within our communities.
My commitment is to build a Tacoma where everyone feels welcome, respected, and safe. While the City Council's power regarding immigration policy has its limits, I won't make empty promises. Instead, I pledge to work tirelessly to ensure Tacoma remains a sanctuary where people feel secure and comfortable, regardless of their immigration status. I want our city to take concrete actions that ease the lives of immigrants here. Ensuring language access for all city documents and materials is just one of many ways we can cultivate a stronger sense of belonging.
Drawing on my experience in DEIA consulting, I bring a background in analyzing systems and tackling systemic issues. My approach to reforming our city's policies and departments will be community-centered, always prioritizing the best interests of everyone in Tacoma and fostering a true sense of belonging for all our residents.