Gilbert Arvizu, an eighth generation Arizona resident born and raised in Phoenix, is running for the District 8 City Council seat vacated after Kate Gallego resigned to run for mayor.
Arvizu said he has been fighting what he calls “unjust policy” in the city of Phoenix since he was five years old.
“I’ve been a victim of unjust policy,” Arvizu said. “My family has, my neighbors have… It is personal to me.”
Arvizu’s father, Abe, said that in 1989 the city of Phoenix took their long held family home using eminent domain, a legal rule which gives governments the right to take private property with fair compensation.
There was nothing either the Arivizus or the other nearly 800 families that had their property taken could do about it at the time, Abe said. But when the city of Phoenix then tried to shut down the nearby Historic Sacred Heart Church, the families put up a fight.
“From the moment Gilbert could walk, he was part of the battle,” Abe said. “He went to meeting after meeting with me. Every year, they opened the church for a Christmas Mass, and Gilbert and his brothers spent the entire holiday season cleaning and preparing the church. He was fighting for his community from a very young age.”
In addition to the fight for the church, which is still ongoing, Arvizu said he is heavily involved in helping his community through Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer scoutmaster and health service administrator.
One of his fellow health service volunteers with the Boy Scouts, Sue Hampton, said that Arvizu centers his entire life around doing good for others.
“Ever since I have known Gilbert, he has wanted to step up and help the community,” Hampton said. “He just wants to help people.”
Now, Arvizu said he wants to bring that same passion for fighting unjust policy and helping his fellow citizens to the city council.
“I want to stand up people’s rights, especially people with no voice,” Arvizu said. “We were a family of electricians. We were in a poor neighborhood. We had nobody to stand up for us. I want to stand up for people like that, and the only way to do that is with policy.”
Arvizu said his biggest policy goal is healthcare reform.
“My plan involves integrating health and human services together, which can drastically reduce healthcare costs here in Phoenix,” Arvizu said.
Arvizu also said he wants to cultivate a business friendly environment.
“I want to help small businesses in Phoenix grow, but I also think we can attract some larger ones,” Arvizu said. “You can see how much Amazon helps the Seattle economy. We can bring in similar companies to Phoenix.”
Arvizu said he supports the South Phoenix light rail expansion because he thinks it help the area flourish. He added that he wants to see business assistance for any local owner struggling because of the expansion. He also said he would not support any plan that involves eminent domain.
Arvizu is running for the seat vacated by Kate Gallego, who stepped down in order to run for mayor of Phoenix. A nonpartisan special election will be held in March 2019 to select a new councilperson.
“I’m an underdog in this fight,” said Arvizu, who is an independent candidate running against a number of candidates with party affiliations. Arvizu said his extensive legislative experience is a reason voters should consider him.
“I served as intern for Senator John McCain, where I gained invaluable experience,” Arvizu said. “I worked on the Congressional Investigation into the Navajo Housing Authority and the development of Rio Salado 2.0.”
With the election taking place in March, Arvizu said that turnout will be key. That is why he plans on knocking on as many doors as possible in the district.
“The more people who get to know me, the better I’ll do,” Arvizu said. “All you need is a good pair of walking boots, and you’ll have a chance to win the election.”
For questions, contact the reporter at rvatti@asu.edu.
