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Tucson Native Tries out Politics

Wednesday, 24 February 2010 19:19

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  John Bernal never really planned on running a political campaign, but that is where life has taken him. 

Bernal, 24, is a Tucson native from the west side and a 2004 graduate of Tucson High School. He moved to Minnesota after high school to attend Carleton College on scholarship, earning a degree in economics in 2008. 

“After college I wanted to help my community, so I came home,” said Bernal. 

Now, he is a math and economics teacher at Calli Ollin High School in Tucson, but he knew he wanted to do more. His father, Armando Bernal, told him about two open seats in The House of Representatives. 

The seats represent District 27, the area he grew up, and the area where is family has lived for decades.

“He’s a native of LD 27,” said his father, Armando. “The only Chicano born in the same area.”

But in order to get his name on the ballot, Bernal must get at least 600 signatures from registered voters in his district on official petitions he obtained from Phoenix. He spends his weekends canvassing neighborhoods and talking to residents.

“I want to run for the people in my community, invest in their education and jobs,” he said.

Bernal’s campaign manager, Guillermo Lechuga, said a key factor in getting his name on the ballot - as well as getting votes come next fall - is talking to people face-to-face.

“We need to see every single person in this community,” said Lechuga. “Give each voter a chance to voice their opinions to John.” 

With the help of family and friends, Bernal continues to stroll neighborhoods to get his name out into the public.

“This will lead up the path for me to fix what people want in my community,” said Bernal.

Written by Amanda Portillo You are reading Tucson Native Tries out Politics articles

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