“The People Of Pueblo Have Spoken”
Republicans scored a massive victory in Pueblo, CO on Tuesday evening where City Council President Heather Graham decisively defeated incumbent Mayor Nick Gradisar. Mayor-Elect Graham will be the first female and the youngest person to ever serve as mayor of Pueblo.
A lifelong resident of Pueblo, Graham ran a campaign focused on ensuring that city government is inclusive, transparent, accessible, and responsive to residents needs. She’s promised to reinvigorate the local economy by streamlining city code to encourage entrepreneurship and incentivize small businesses to open, expand, and thrive.
Graham’s opponent was backed by the current governor and both sitting U.S. Senators – she took on Colorado’s Democratic political machine and won. The RMA congratulates her on this historic victory and wishes her the best over the next four years as mayor.
Republican Mayors Leading The Way
Cities across America are feeling the toll of the migrant crisis. RMA Advisory Board Chairman Javier Villalobos, the mayor of McAllen, TX, a border town, joined CNN to speak about this impact and the need for the federal government to treat this as a national security concern.
Mesa, AZ Mayor John Giles who served as Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’’ Immigration Task Force echoed Mayor Villalobos about the toll that this crisis is having on municipalities: “I’m genuinely concerned about our cities’ collective abilities to keep pace with the migration influx and the subsequent impacts on our local first responders, nonprofits, religious groups, and community volunteers. They are overburdened, and they need our help now."
Republican mayors across the country have sounded the alarm on this issue and committed to solutions to this crisis.
Republican mayors are spearheading community beautification and revitalization projects.
In Chula Vista, CA, Mayor John McCann worked with members of the City Council to secure $1.25 million in public safety and infrastructure improvements to re-open Harborside Park to the public. In 2022, the park was closed due to homeless encampments and crime. After six months of outreach and community involvement, Mayor McCann kept his commitment to execute a plan to provide the residents and families of the Harborside community with a safe park to enjoy.
The new Mayor of Charleston, SC, William Cogswell has hit the ground running acting quickly on a campaign commitment to redevelop a parcel of land that had been subjected to discussion for years. Mayor Cogswell is finally taking much needed action to bring affordable housing, retail, restaurants, and green space to help revitalize the area.
Jobs Corner
Huntsville, AL: Mayor Tommy Battle attended a ribbon cutting to celebrate union of four space-orientated companies who joined forces to open Aura Aerospace. The new venture is slated to create 50 new jobs.
Lexington, KY: Mayor Linda Gorton announced plans for new workforce center to open in the city. The mayor noted, “This new development will provide our residents with employment resources and solutions. It will help people get back on their feet, improve their job skills, and train the workforce our businesses need.”
Murfreesboro, TN: Mayor Shane MacFarland confirmed that Trade Joe’s will be coming to town. This will be the grocer’s fourth location in Tennessee.
Willow Park, TX: Mayor Doyle Moss announced exciting news that Profrac Holdings will be relocating to the city, building anew 60,000 square foot headquarters and brining 200 jobs with them.
