Regina portrait

1. Why is it so important for you to become the next Mayor of Tucson, AZ.?

I am running to be the next Mayor of Tucson because I want to ensure that future generations of Tucsonans have the same opportunities that I had growing up. I was raised by immigrant farmworkers in Somerton, Arizona and am the only one of my siblings born in the U.S. I came to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona and Tucson welcomed me with so much opportunity. For the last 12 years, I have served on the Tucson City Council, where I have worked to create a safe, just and sustainable city with economic opportunity for all Tucsonans. I have the experience, the passion, and the vision to lead our City forward.

As Mayor, I will act boldly on climate change – which disproportionately affects the elderly, children, and communities of color – by electrifying our transit system, planting one million trees by 2030, and leading our City to carbon neutrality. I will fight to invest in our children through expanding programs like the KIDCO after-school and summer program, as well demanding the funding that our public schools deserve. I will also work to create an economy that works for all Tucsonans, with a special focus on struggling commercial corridors and areas that have been historically neglected. You can view my full Working Families Agenda on my website at www.VoteReginaRomero.com

Our relationship with Mexico is crucial, and the purchasing power of its visitors is very important to our city’s economy. What is your experience in this matter, and how do you plan on maintaining this relationship?

My family have been Sonorenses for seven generations and like others in the region, my family spans across the Sonoran desert on both sides of the border. I have always valued Tucson’s relationship with Mexico. As a City Councilmember, I have participated in trade missions to Culiacan, Mazatlán and Hermosillo and have a great relationship with the Mexican Consul, Ricardo Pineda. I have always stressed the interconnectedness of Tucson and Mexico’s economy and social structure. In addition, I have advocated for the development of hotels and shopping centers within the City of Tucson to serve Mexican visitors and shoppers.

As Mayor, I will use the relationships I have built to continue strengthening our trade relationship with our neighbor to the South. Given our unique geographical location, there is no reason Tucson cannot be a hub for both Mexican and Canadian companies that conduct international trade. However, we need a leader with both the experience and the relationships necessary to make that happen.

• Do you think The police should respect the fact that Tucson is considered a friendly and welcoming town. If so, how would you plan on sharing this message with Tucson’s residents and foreign visitors?

I have always fought to make sure that Tucson is a welcoming city to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, documentation, or background. As a Councilmember, I led Tucson in becoming the first city in the state to take a position against Arizona’s racist SB1070 “show me your papers” law. I also led the effort to declare Tucson as an “Immigrant Welcoming City” and spearheaded a joint resolution with Pima County, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation to oppose Trump’s border wall. In addition, I have worked with 3 different police chiefs to refine the Tucson Police Department’s general orders to prohibit collaboration with Border Patrol and prohibit TPD from asking victims and witnesses of crime about their immigration status. As Mayor, I will continue to push TPD to further emphasize the General Orders in the Police Academy in order to make sure all officers understand and abide by the protections for our undocumented community.