I'm Carlos Galindo-Elvira, and it's with great honor and humility that I introduce myself to you as your newly appointed Councilman for District 7. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this vibrant and diverse community, and I am eager to begin working alongside you to address the important issues facing our community.

First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Phoenix City Council for entrusting me with this interim position. My appointment on April 9th marks the beginning of a transition period for the district, and I am committed to representing the voices and interests of District 7 residents to the best of my abilities.

Allow me to share a bit about myself. I was born in Kearny, Arizona, and raised in our State’s beautiful Copper Corridor. My journey in public service began when I served on the Hayden Town Council, first as a Councilman from 1987 to 1991, and then again from 1995 to 1998. I then had the privilege of serving as Vice Mayor from 2001 to 2003 and as Mayor from 2003 to 2005.

In addition to my time in local government, I have devoted much of my life to serving nonprofit organizations dedicated to advocacy, anti-discrimination, and healthcare. My family and I have been proud residents of Phoenix Council District 7 for nearly two decades, and I have served as the Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships for Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) since 2020. Prior to my work at CPLC, I served as the Regional Director for a national anti-hate organization, where I led efforts to investigate hate crimes and incidents to combat antisemitism.

My commitment to public service is deeply rooted in my Jewish faith, which guides my decision-making process as I address the critical issues facing our district. As we move forward, I am keenly aware of the challenges we face, particularly as we approach the hot summer months. I am ready to collaborate with the community and city staff to tackle issues which include city parks and recreation, extreme heat, the unhoused, and support for public safety.

During my tenure as your Councilman, I have made three public pledges:

1. I will not run for the District 7 council seat in the regular election in November 2024.
2. I will reinvest my salary into local nonprofit agencies in District 7 who are serving our neighbors throughout Phoenix, with the exception of my employer, CPLC.
3. I will uphold the nonpartisan nature of this office and responsibly assist all residents, while not endorsing candidates seeking to represent District 7.

In closing, I want to emphasize that my door is always open to you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with your concerns, ideas, or suggestions. You can contact me by phone at 602-262-7492 or via email at council.district.7@phoenix.gov. If you have any suggestions for local nonprofit agencies located within District 7, I should consider donating to, please let me know.

Together, we can make a positive impact on our community and build a brighter future for District 7.

Thank you for entrusting me with this important responsibility. I look forward to serving you with integrity, compassion, and dedication.

Warm regards,

Carlos Galindo-Elvira
Phoenix Councilman, District 7