How will candidates boost life in south Phoenix?
Phoenix City Councilman Carlos García is facing political newcomer Kesha Hodge Washington in the March 14 runoff.
The race seems to have less to do with what’s happening in District 8 and more a fight between powerful alliances with competing interests.
Leading the charge to defeat García is Mayor Kate Gallego, who in 2019 welcomed him and a fellow councilmember, saying “the future of Phoenix is bright” with them.
But Gallego, who also comes from District 8, quickly began butting heads with García over his plan on police accountability. She is now backing Hodge Washington, an attorney.
Hodge Washington’s other backers include Terry Goddard, a former Phoenix mayor and former attorney general; U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton; and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.
García took office in June 2019 amid “Si Se Puede” chants from a crowd buoyed by the diversity that he and others brought to the City Council.
In García’s case, that diversity apparently was only good enough until it was clear he wouldn’t waver on civilian oversight of Phoenix police in use of force and other misconduct investigations.
He relentlessly pushed through his plan despite the resistance, ironically, of the mostly liberal council.
He angered the powerful police union but also Mayor Gallego, who wasn’t entirely on board with the bolder provision of civilian oversight.
But is this a tug-of-war between powerful individuals and groups just about García’s push to aggressively investigate police misconduct or something else?
Whatever it is, residents know their needs better than anyone else and should vote accordingly.
Hodge Washington has an ambitious agenda that includes converting south Phoenix into a high-wage hub, addressing homelessness with a new emergency shelter and hiring and retaining police.
She calls García’s approach “monolithic,” meaning his focus is too narrow. Meanwhile, Garcia is touting putting “community first” while promoting safe roads, working lights and better opportunities. We need to know more about what that means.
Residents of the district deserve to get to better know the candidates before casting a ballot in the runoff.
That’s why The Republic editorial board is organizing a debate between García and Hodge Washington on Feb. 22 at South Mountain Community College.
District 8, which covers south Phoenix and downtown, is predominantly Hispanic but is also home to the state’s largest African American population.
The area has changed a lot over the past decades.
Downtown is teeming with more activity. There are highrises that offer swanky living and bars that attract young and old.
The light-rail line is under construction on Central Avenue, connecting South Mountain and neighbors in between, while chic and cookie-cutter
homes have sprung up south of Baseline Road.
There’s a larger, more visible socioeconomic divide.
The ones who can afford homes perched against the mountain with stunning views probably don’t eat much in south Phoenix or send their kids to local public schools, which have gotten a bad rap over the years.
The residents in between – families that have lived in established neighborhoods in south Phoenix for generations and new arrivals in poorer sections who can’t afford anywhere else – worry me the most.
I live near Baseline Road with only one way out of my neighborhood. My only options are left or right and through the heart of south Phoenix. I’ve seen the changes over the years, and too many neighborhoods here have simply been forgotten by city officials..
You can tell by the lack of investment in housing, in roads, the neglected city parks, and the grocery stores with fewer amenities and products than what those same stores offer in more affluent areas of the city.
It’s a supply and demand thing, I’m told, whenever I ask about the lack of shopping and eating options in our part of town.
Never mind that we are spending our disposable income elsewhere in other districts over the fast-food joints lining our major streets.
Police presence is heavy and constant — sometimes a welcome sight due to increasing crime, homelessness and drag-racing.
Even so, sometimes I wonder if it’s necessary, or when our city officials are going to get serious about tackling the root of those problems.
This glimpse of District 8 is key to understanding the competing interests playing out in the political fight between García and Hodge Washington.
The political fight goes beyond district boundaries and seems to be about forming alliances that pit former mayors – the political establishment – against a grassroots movement that represents communities of color and their most pressing concerns, including policing.
García became known for protesting former Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s racial profiling and immigration raids. Police interaction with residents, particularly people of color, has been a top priority and for good reason. \
Phoenix Police is under federal investigation over excessive use of force and discriminatory practices.
García is right to forge ahead with that, but residents need to know specifically what else he’ll do to improve their lives.
Contrastingly, Hodge Washington’s agenda is impressive, but she can’t dismiss the police brutality which concerns key communities of the district. What would you ask the candidates? Send your questions to elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com or ask them at the debate.