Now that the dust has settled, Democrat Miranda Schubert says she is ready for "the real work" to begin as she becomes one of two new members of Tucson's city council.
"The Ward 6 team and I are excited to get to work serving every constituent in this community, and rolling up our sleeves to tackle the issues we promised to address: the root causes of homelessness and lack of affordable housing, our dangerous and often deadly streets, investing in our public transit system and ensuring we have dedicated revenue," Schubert said, prompting applause from a crowd at Hotel Congress Tuesday night.
Schubert started the night with a huge lead over Republican Jay Tolkoff, a former business man and longtime Tucsonan.
Schubert has said successful programs in the city in the areas of transportation, roads, housing support and homeless intervention services are working and need to be expanded.
Shortly after Schubert easily won a three-way Democratic primary in August, the proud progressive Democrat said she had heard concerns about being "too blunt" on her political stances.
But that proved wrong in August, just like it was proved wrong Tuesday, Schubert told the crowd.
“The success of our campaign is proof that Tucson is ready for bold and principled leadership that builds broad coalition of policies that center the needs of working families," she said. "That's things like defending our water supply and energy future against corporate interests, protecting fair, free transit and investing in the system, ensuring that we are nurturing our local and small businesses and that we preserve the arts cultures and traditions that define us.
"Decision-making in City Hall must be open, honest and grounded in the values that have made me who I am ... City government is at its best when it is responsive, inclusive and built on trust. I will hold myself to the highest standard, and ask that you keep me in check," Schubert said.
While campaigning, Shubert, an avid cyclist, said the city needs to wean itself off its reliance on cars as the primary mode of transportation. She thinks Tucson can go down that path by not only keeping the transit system free, but also expanding routes, because public transportation “is an economic driver.â€
Schubert has said she wants to bring participatory budgeting to Ward 6, which stretches across midtown, just as Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz championed the same thing in westside's Ward 1.
"What I've heard from you was you love Tucson and want to leave it in better shape for future generations," Schubert said. "I am committed to listening to all of you, even if you did not support our campaign. I will meet you where you are. I will work to understand your perspective and I will work hard to serve you, even if I didn't get your vote, because building a city that works for everyone, means including everyone."
Like Schubert, Democrat Selina Barajas will be a new face on the council. Barajas was unopposed in the general election race for Ward 5.

