A Message from Tonya Hawkins

Greetings Neighbors!

I have entered this race, not as a politician, but as a mom, a community advocate, and someone who deeply cares about our people—because that’s what this is all about: PEOPLE OVER POLITICS.

For far too long, the voices of families, residents, and neighbors east of the river have been overshadowed, ignored, or dismissed. We’ve watched as our communities have been left out of the conversation, our needs sidelined, and our potential untapped. But today, I’m here to tell you that we are done being overlooked. We are ready for a change—a change where our needs, our lives, and our futures are at the forefront of everything we do.

I’m running for Ward 8 Council because I believe we can raise the standard for the quality of life for all of us who live here. I believe we can build a community that prioritizes education, affordable housing, and community wellness. But it’s not just about improving services and expanding opportunities—it’s about holding our city and our agencies accountable for the promises they’ve made to us. We need policies that work for us, and we need those who are entrusted with our resources to ensure that those policies are effective, fair, and responsive to the real needs of the people, not businesses.

As a mother of two, I know what it means to want the best for your children, your family, and your future. I understand the challenges we face in Ward 8—whether it’s the constant struggle to find affordable housing, the lack of investment in our schools, or the need for better mental health resources. But I also know the incredible strength of this community. We are resilient. We are proud. We are capable—and we deserve better.

That’s why I’m committed to raising the standards of living for all residents in Ward 8. I will fight to ensure that our schools are properly funded and that our children receive the education they deserve. I will work tirelessly to expand affordable housing, address the rent crisis, and ensure that families are not displaced from their homes. And I will lead efforts to bring more accessible mental health services and wellness programs to our community, so that everyone—young and old—has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

But here’s the reality—we cannot achieve this if we continue to live under policies that prioritize the needs of businesses over the needs of our people. For too long, we have watched as policies and procedures have been shaped to serve corporate interests, often at the expense of our neighborhoods, our families, and our local businesses. I will fight to amend these policies to be more favorable to the people of Ward 8—to prioritize our well-being, our homes, our schools, and our communities—over the bottom line of corporations and developers.

We need to shift the balance—we need policies that empower people and families, not policies that pad the pockets of large businesses while leaving our neighborhoods to fend for themselves. I will ensure that zoning laws, housing policies, and city regulations work for us—the residents of Ward 8—so that we are no longer pushed aside in favor of developers who do not have our best interests at heart.

It’s time for our city to work for us—not the other way around.

I’ve spent the last several years as a community advocate, working with our neighbors, listening to your concerns, and fighting for what we need. As president of my tenant association, I know firsthand the challenges families face in finding affordable, tenable, stable housing. As a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, I’ve seen how critical access to mental health services is in building a healthy community. As a mom, I know the dreams we have for our children, and I’m committed to ensuring they have the education and opportunities to make those dreams a reality.

We can do better, and we must do better—for ourselves, for our children, and for our community.

This campaign is not just about me—it’s about us, the people of Ward 8. We are more than a a ward. We are a community—a community with strength, with history, with resilience. Together, we can create a Ward 8 where every resident has the opportunity to succeed, to thrive, and to live with dignity.

So I ask for your vote on July 15, 2025—not because I’m a politician, but because I’m one of you. A mother, a neighbor, a fellow community member. Together, we can create a Ward 8 that works for everyone—where people come before politics, where families come before corporations, and where community well-being comes before business profits.

Let’s raise the standard for quality of life. Let’s amend city policies to work for people, not just businesses. Let’s build a future we can all be proud of.

I hope to earn your votes and look forward to continuing my service to our community as YOUR Ward 8 Councilwoman.