Christine Ellis (Incumbent), Candidate for Chandler City Council
My inspiration came from my desire to serve others and to see them thrive, growing up as a little girl I had many strong women around me who had left behind so much to forge unknown territories including culture, languages and family to come to a place that will give them a better opportunity for the future they aspired. Through it all they remained kind, sensitive to others needs and are amazing givers. With such examples before me when I felt the call to serve, after a 21 day fast, I did say yes to serve the people of Chandler with the best I have to offer.
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OD Harris (Incumbent), Candidate for Chandler City Council
What propelled me to run for a seat on the City Council and continues to inspire my second reelection campaign is a profound dedication to service and duty, deeply rooted in my core values of faith, family, and community. When I decided to run in 2020 and WON, it was with the conviction that serving in this capacity was my higher calling. As a leader committed to serving with humility, I recognized the combination of my professional background in accounting for the past 25 years as a small multi-business owner, my educational achievements, military service, passion for community advocacy, and serving on local and national boards. Lastly, a disciplined fiscal approach to budgeting was a crucial asset I knew I would bring to effectuate meaningful change.
These personal and professional experiences have been instrumental in shaping my approach to leadership, underpinned by the foundational values of faith, which guides my moral compass; family, which grounds me and reinforces the importance of strong community bonds; and a commitment to the community, which fuels my drive to advocate for and implement policies that enhance our collective quality of life. This holistic perspective garnered the admiration and respect of my colleagues on the council, culminating in my election as Vice Mayor during my first term—a testament to the effective leadership and dedication I bring to our community.
As I seek a second term, these values continue to be the cornerstone of my motivation, guiding my aspirations to serve our community with integrity, lead with a spirit of humility, and continue making impactful contributions for the betterment of all our residents.
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Jennifer Hawkins, Candidate for Chandler City Council
As a long-time resident, local business owner and parent of Chandler students, I am fully invested in the City, how it is run and how it affects our day to day life. I felt the need to take my community involvement to the next step by serving to represent my neighbors, friends and fellow business owners to give back to our great City that has given so much to me and my family.
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AJ Kurdoglu, Candidate for Chandler City Council
My journey started, after finishing college in Istanbul as an engineer, by arriving in Arizona to further my education.
I graduated from Thunderbird with a Master's degree and then I realized I have already fallen in love with our great state with its people and even with its dry heat.
That decision of course started my long immigration journey - 13 years to be exact - an emotional one, with lots of ups and downs, but a wellworth one. With strength and determination and persistence at the end of it, I became a proud US citizen. I still remember the day that I took the oath. What a beautiful, exciting day that it was. During those years of course I started my business. I met the love of my life and we purchased our home so I realized my American dream here in this city, in Chandler.
This city, this community is my life: Our family, our business, our home, our dreams have been here in this city for more than 18 years. And I know that realizing your dream, reaching your potential depends on your community. If you're lucky enough to live in communities that provide safe, peaceful, and affordable neighborhoods. If you're lucky enough to live in communities that support small and family businesses, that provide jobs, If you live in communities that provide great public education, you will have a better chance to realize your dreams.
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Cicely Rocha-Miller, Candidate for Chandler City Council
My decision to run for Chandler City Council is deeply rooted in a personal experience that profoundly shaped my views on the importance of local engagement. A few years back, my neighborhood faced a significant challenge: a proposal for four-story luxury apartments right next to my home. The concerns were palpable - increased traffic, crime worries, and the looming specter of density - all compounded by a frustrating lack of communication and transparency from the city. Alongside my neighbors, we banded together and successfully halted the project, a victory that remains significant to this day.
This experience wasn't just about stopping a development; it was about forging bonds within our community, about rallying around a shared purpose. I spearheaded neighborhood events, donation drives, and various initiatives, all driven by a "people-first" mentality. The unity we cultivated, the victories we achieved - they ignited a passion within me to extend this spirit across all of Chandler.
Reflecting on this journey, I realized the profound impact we can make when we come together as a community. It's what inspired me to step up and run for City Council. I've seen firsthand the positive changes we can effect, and I'm confident in my ability to contribute to Chandler's continued growth and improvement. I'm committed to fostering transparent communication, strengthening community bonds, and championing initiatives that enhance the quality of life for all Chandler residents. Together, I believe we can build an even better Chandler - a city that's vibrant, inclusive, and thriving.
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Michael Simon, Candidate for Chandler City Council
My inspiration started with my vision to assist my fellow Veterans in our community and to be a part of something bigger than myself. When I departed the military, I was looking to continue to serve in a new capacity and was introduced to the American Legion-Post 91 where I was welcomed and accepted into the largest Veteran service organization in the world. Early in my membership, I rose to leadership and found a renewed sense of purpose to grow outside of the military community. In this new role, my passion and enthusiasm for our community grew and I discovered how important it was to be a part of a community. These leadership roles helped me build more relationships that thrive and lead me to becoming a founding member of the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission for the City of Chandler and part of the Chandler Business Alliance. As I learned about our mission, the City of Chandler, and its residents, I wanted to continue to explore more opportunities to serve even more. By fate, this led me to the opportunity to run for City Council. I am excited about what lies ahead in my life and what is in store for the City, the residents, and ME!
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Joseph Yang, Candidate for Chandler City Council
I am running for Chandler City Council to continue serving the community that I have grown up serving. I am running to invest in Chandler’s future by continuing to support our public safety, develop our workforce, support the American Dream and enhance our parks and fields. I want to continue to see Chandler grow and I am excited for the opportunity to help make that happen through my various experiences in the city from working for the parks and rec division, serving as the President of an advisory board for the library to currently serving the residents of Chandler on the police commission.