Tonya Norwood

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 20
Phone: (602) 451-9094
Email: tonya@norwood4azhouse.com
Website: www.norwood4azhouse.com
Twitter: @Norwood4AZ
13405 N 8th St, Phoenix, AZ 85022.

Age: 42. (11/29/69, Houston, TX).

Arizona since: 1990.

Occupation: Executive director, AZ Consumers Council, consumer advocate & organizer, 2010-2011; director of community affairs, AZ Commission on African American Affairs, 2008–2010; executive director/government relations; AZ Natural Resource Conservation Districts State Assn, 2006–2008; boating & water safety program coordinator, AZ Game & Fish Dept, 2001-2006.

Marital: Divorced.

Children: 4.

Religious preference: Christian.

Education: M.B.A., marketing, Western International University, 2010; B.A., international relations, economics, University of Delaware, 1992.

Political experience: Most recently, I worked closely with Greg Stanton on his successful campaign for Mayor. I also served as an urban scheduler for Terry Goddard’s campaign for governor. I was the social action chair for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. I am a founding member of the Black/Brown Coalition. I sit on the board of the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development/ Workforce Connection, creating and supporting policies to create and maintain a viable work force.

Memberships: Phoenix Business and Workforce Development Bd; president, Nat’l Pan Hellenic Council, Phoenix Metropolitan Area; chair, environment committee/legislative liaison, AZ Commission on African American Affairs; AZ Green Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee member; chair, social action committee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Tempe Alumnae Chapter; town hall coordinator/legislative liaison, Arizona’s African American Legislative Conference; Nat’l Council of Negro Women, Metropolitan Sun Section; Nat’l Assn for the Advancement of Colored People; Nat’l Urban League; housing and transportation committee member, Consumer Federation of America.

Interests: I am a mother of four energetic children, and I enjoy sports, outdoor activities, reading, traveling, and target shooting with guns and archery.

Political influence: I have great respect for Nelson Mandela. He made a number of personal sacrifices, including imprisonment, for the betterment of his countrymen through public service. He recognized that peaceful tenacity would not only affect the good of his own country, but the end of apartheid would benefit humanity on a global scale. Most of all, I respect Nelson Mandela because he did not create positive change for glory. He truly had the betterment of humankind as the core value for his efforts, and humbly accepted his role as a leader so that he may be a servant to the people.

Job creation measures: The two measures I support are increasing the accessibility of micro-loans for small businesses and start-ups. Also improving tax incentives for local businesses while holding our government responsible to hire and contract locally.

Top Issues: One of the two primary issues I will concentrate on is full support of responsible, public education. Arizonans know that quality public education is necessary to provide a safe environment for our children. With responsible education, a child becomes an asset to a sustainable state economy. A second primary issue I shall focus upon will be to stabilize and expand our state economy by diversifying industries we attract. Education support will assist that effort. Also, the state Legislature should support investments in transportation and public infrastructure in order to meet the economic needs of both the businesses and workers.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I favor extending the temporary sales tax increase. Simply put, the state Legislature has cut funding to public schools and then replaced it with money raised from the sales tax. As a result, public schools, human services and public safety concerns never received the increase they should have per the voter approved referendum. Therefore, I support the will of the voters to see an increase in these necessary areas. It is unfortunate the sales tax would not be necessary if the AZ Legislature fulfilled its obligation to support these areas.

Illegal immigration: While I support the stance of protecting our borders, I consider the one-sided methodology that we have adopted to be too simplistic and short sighted. In addition to security, we must take a holistic approach that includes economic opportunities and legal reforms that address illegal immigration. Arizona should be at the forefront of leading the country in policies that set forth a multi-prong approach. Such policies will call for immigrants who work hard as positive attributes in our communities to enter legally, even if temporarily, and law enforcement can focus on punishing illegal immigrants who mean to do us harm.

Background & experience: My educational background has provided me a well-rounded basis for understanding economics from the public and private sectors, as well as thorough comprehension of working with other countries which is important as we explore trade opportunities and immigration reform with Mexico. From my professional experience, I gained knowledge through diligence as an advocate for many groups on a number of issues how to successfully organize the public and build coalitions to pass effective legislation that has included increased boating safety standards and limiting predatory practices by pay day lenders.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I live my life guided by principles of faith, family, and community. Personal, medical decisions should be made between an individual, their family, faith advisor, and health care professional. Make no mistake about it. I am an ardent member of my church as a devoted Christian. With that in mind, out of respect of my religion and of others, I consider the policies of the Legislature regarding abortion a direct attack upon our individual liberties. The rights of women to choose medical procedures, including abortion, should be protected and the will of state government should not impose upon those rights.

One last thing: I have accepted the responsibility to run for the state House of Representatives in LD20 because people matter, and our state Legislature has lost sight of that fact. I am a working mother raising four children, and I understand the many challenges that face working families. I do not stand for government handouts. I do, however, think our elected officials should support the hard work of Arizonans rather than hinder them with poor educational and economic policies. It is time for new leadership to emerge, and I will make sure that at the Arizona Capitol, people matter.

Campaign finance: private.