Op-Ed: We need Michelle Ugenti-Rita on City Council, she’s the real deal.

As a 41-year-old Scottsdale native, wife, homeschool mom of three children, and small-business owner alongside my husband, I understand how much the decisions made at City Hall affect our families, our neighborhoods, and our community’s future. I want leaders who understand those responsibilities and have the experience to make sound decisions. That is why I am enthusiastically supporting Michelle Ugenti-Rita for Scottsdale City Council.

I have watched Michelle balance the demands of public service with raising her three children, and I’ll never forget her running for office while pregnant with her third baby. She showed up at campaign stops with her growing belly and even traveled to the border eight months pregnant to speak about immigration. She certainly didn’t have to do that, but that’s Michelle: when she believes in a cause, she shows up and fights for it. What many people don’t realize is that she gave birth to her third child just over a month before being sworn into the Legislature in January 2011. She began her first legislative session with a newborn at home while taking on the enormous demands of public service. She rarely talked about how much she was juggling, never made excuses, and simply got to work. To me, Michelle is more than a candidate. She is like family.

Michelle’s qualifications extend far beyond her personal character. After 12 years in the Arizona Legislature, she brings a proven record of getting things done, deep policy expertise, and experience navigating complicated issues. She understands how government works, how to communicate effectively, and how to build relationships with elected officials across the aisle.

She has the accomplishments to prove it. Michelle took her legislation to ban ballot harvesting all the way to the United States Supreme Court, where it was upheld. Arizona became the first state in the nation to have such a ban upheld by the Court. That achievement demonstrates both the substance of her convictions and her determination to see them through.

Her experience also extends to the economic issues affecting Scottsdale businesses. She has worked directly with local art gallery owners on tax policy affecting their businesses. From landmark election integrity legislation to understanding the challenges facing local business owners,

Scottsdale is a sophisticated community with a diverse economy and unique challenges. We need leaders like Michelle who understand policy, recognize the consequences of government decisions, and can work effectively with officials at every level to protect our interests.

Scottsdale has an opportunity on Tuesday, November 3rd, to elect a leader with proven accomplishments, sound judgment, and political courage. I encourage my fellow Scottsdale residents to vote for Michelle Ugenti-Rita for City Council.