Selina Barajas: Ward Five’s First Female Council Member is Breaking Barriers for Young People

Selena Barajas is blazing a new trail as the first woman elected to represent Ward Five on the city council. Her commitment to youth engagement is rapidly setting a new standard for public service in southern Arizona.

Republicans did not field a primary candidate in Ward 5, and she will take office on November 4, 2025.

Central to Barajas’s campaign—and her approach to governing—is a dedication to engaging young people in civic life. From her earlier roles mentoring students for the Tucson Unified School District’s Ethnic Studies and Mexican American Studies departments to running a youth center for 16- to 24-year-olds, Barajas has consistently sought ways to empower the next generation.

Barajas, age 40, takes time to mentor interns, assigning them projects tailored to their interests, whether that’s environmental justice, public policy, or parks and recreation. The students in her program produced social media content, strategized outreach, and documented the campaign experience—work that amplified youth voices and increased voter engagement, both online and at the polls.

She sees their participation as a pipeline for prospective Democratic leaders. Speaking at a Pima County Democratic Party gathering, she said, “You’re all going to be the future city council members one day. It’s really important to create that pathway for them.”

Barajas keeps channels of accountability open by frequently checking in and ensuring every young volunteer feels heard and valued.

“I never say no to speaking with youth,” she said, highlighting frequent invitations to speak at schools and bringing her young staff into her office as a councilwoman. Barajas believes that by giving young people “eye-to-eye contact”—and by listening as much as she leads—she can build the type of inclusive, connected city government southern Tucson deserves.

Experience and expertise

A proud fourth-generation resident of Ward 5 and mother of two daughters, Barajas brings a powerful blend of lived experience and professional expertise to the table. Her academic path started at the University of Arizona and continued to UCLA, where she earned her master’s degree and spent a decade working for nonprofit organizations and in local government in Los Angeles.

Barajas’s last post before heading home to Tucson was with the City of Inglewood, CA, where she honed her skills in city management and grassroots organizing. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to advocating for clean air and water, public spaces, small businesses, and safe streets for families.

Yet Barajas is not only making history at city hall—she and her husband are preparing to open South Tucson’s first-ever locally owned coffee shop, the Luna y Sol Café, a milestone she describes with excitement.

“I do a lot of remote work, and I haven’t been able to find a coffee shop down south, so we’re so excited,” Barajas said, promising to invite the community when the business opens its doors on 29th and Eighth. She hopes the shop will create a new gathering place for local residents and encourage investment in the historically underserved neighborhood.

Barajas is not only marking a milestone for representation but also demonstrating how authentic youth engagement and small business investment can revive local communities. For residents or activists inspired by hands-on change, her story offers a powerful model for making democracy work at the ground level.