Chris Elsner, candidate for Ward 5 Council at DGT

by Carolyn Classen, blogger

Please join us for a conversation with Tucson City Council Ward 5 candidate Chris Elsner.

“You Must Register in Advance for this Event:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WWoj99JcRAOIAhRHcIEqMQ

Editor’s Note: Charlie Verdin was originally scheduled to appear. but has announced his withdrawal from the nomination contest. Chris graciously agreed to step in at the last minute. Thanks, Chris!

Chris Elsner was born in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona and moved to Tucson in 2011 to attend graduate school at U of A after serving for two years with the Peace Corps in Ukraine as an Education Volunteer. He earned a B.A. in English from Northern Illinois University and his Master of Public Administration degree and Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from U of A in 2013. He’s worked in a variety of roles at U of A and currently runs the Peace Corps Prep program – encouraging students to pursue careers in public service.  Chris met his wife Lexie – a native Tucsonan – during their mutual Peace Corps service. She’s a U of A, PCC and NAU alumna and works as a nurse. They have two children together: an eight-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son.

Chris has been committed to public service and servant leadership and has worked with the Tucson community in a variety of ways since moving here. He served as a board member with Tucson Young Professionals for several years and with SARSEF for a year. He’s tried (and failed) to get a couple of startup companies going over the years, learning a lot in the process and getting to know our local startup community during that time. He was recently elected to his third term as President of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Southern Arizona (aka the Desert Doves) – a local nonprofit membership organization supporting RPCVs in our area.

Over the past few years, building community and trying to bring people together has been a focus for him and something he wants to prioritize as a council member. He’s interested in exploring ways to get Tucsonans more involved in local government through participatory budgeting and forms of digital democracy. Chris wants to ensure that the city is responsive to the needs of its residents, that people feel like they are being heard, and that local government is working in the best interests of our community. Chris recognizes that Tucson faces many challenges going forward including housing affordability and accessibility, upgrading public infrastructure, ensuring adequate funding for city services and public safety, and making sure our community is resilient and adaptable to climate change. He also worries a lot about the future of our country and community with the unconstitutional, illegal, and corrupt actions of the Trump administration and understands that we will face many unforeseen challenges in the
coming years.“

Carolyn’s note: Ward 5 Council seat is now an open seat with long term Councilmember Richard Fimbres retiring this year. Six people have expressed interest and the deadline to file nomination petitions is April 7:

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Clerks/Elections/Candidates