Cesar Aguilar

Cesar Aguilar graduated from Arcadian High School. Aguilar earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in 2016. His career experience includes working as a nonprofit executive.[1]

Aguilar has served as the co-chair of the Latinx Advisory Board for the Department of Education for Superintendent Kathy Hoffman, the vice president of the Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus of the Arizona School Board Association, and the governing board vice president of the Balsz Elementary School Board. He has been affiliated with the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials, Aguila Youth Leadership, Maricopa Community College, the Obama Foundation, Opportunities for Youth, the Democratic Legislative District-26 Precinct Committee, the Arizona chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America, and the Working Families Party.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Cesar Aguilar was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona in a working-class family. Cesar’s mom was an English Language Learner teacher and his dad is still today a Union Heat & Frost Insulator in Local #73. Cesar graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's in Political Science and after graduating in 2016, Cesar went off to work for the Arizona Democratic Party. Cesar today focuses his time running a nonprofit, the Arizona Students’ Association, where Cesar works on advocating for college accessibility and affordability. Cesar truly believes that education is the greatest equalizer and our communities are strengthened by working-class values. Cesar has experience sitting on multiple governing boards and advocating for Latino children in K-12 and higher education. Cesar knows what it takes to advocate for working-class people and knows that education and opportunity go a long way.

-Lifelong Member of the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials NALEO

-Cochair of the Latinx Advisory Board for the Department of Education for Superintendent Kathy Hoffman

-Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus Vice President of the Arizona School Board Association

-Aguila Youth Leadership Alumni

-Former Balsz Elementary School Board Governing Board Vice President

-Volunteer reviewing scholarship applications for Maricopa Community College.

-Obama Foundation Fellow

-Opportunities for Youth

-Democratic Legislative District-26 Precinct Committee

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Since 2008, Arizona has not kept up with properly funding public education across the board from Kinder to higher education. K-12 needs a minimum of a continued funding of over $1 Billion dollars, public higher education is short $300 million dollars. In state students can not afford to attain what is suppose to be the most affordable options and we need to cut tuition and fees in half for instate students. If elected I would use money from the general fund to fund $1.3 billion back into public education across the board and that is just the starting point. Cesar is the most qualified due to his work in the Arizona Students' Association and his volunteer work as a former school board member.Coming out of the pandemic working class peoples number one fear was getting sick or getting hurt and not having healthcare. The only way working families survive is by working and if families are not healthy enough to work, they are not healthy enough to survive. We are all one sickness away from being homleless, lossing our property and most of all not being able to provide for our families. Cesar wants to make sure we expand medicaid to working families so that our communities are healthy and able to survive.Arizona was founded as a pro-union constitution, Arizona Union Miners took pride in their work just like every union worker does. We need to make sure professionals in their trade are compensated for their work and able to move into the middle class. Families should be able to have healthcare, livable wages, and a pension so that they can retire peacefully. As Arizona grows we need to make sure that jobs are properly compensating their employees who help them succeed by allowing them to join a union.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Unions, and Healthcare

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Bernie Sanders is someone who I look up to because he doesn't limit what the United States is capable of being. He calls for Universal Healthcare and he calls for the cancelation of student debt and affordable higher education. He knows that those two issues are critical to Americans' daily lives. If we can educate folks we can be an even more advanced society. If we can care for our neighbor's health, they wouldn't have to sacrifice everything they have to live.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Jungle, explains the life of an immigrant in America.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, Compassion, Honesty

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Write Legislation that impacts the district the representative serves.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember 911 happening and it was one of the first things to happen that morning while we were at school. I was about 6 years old and didn't fully understand the whole situation but I remember the world being at a pause. Our parents had to come to pick us up early from school and everyone worried about what was to follow.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at 5 years old cutting grass with my grandpa in Scottsdale. I did that every weekend till I was about 10 years old. Then I worked in construction at 15 years old every summer break till I graduated college. In my freshman year of high school, I also worked at Just Sports at Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall during the week and weekends I was available.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Jungle

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Show Goes On

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I believe that the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature is that both parties have access to the Governor. The Governor should be the person to listen to both sides and take both sides into consideration for the greater good of Arizona. Arizona should not be dominated by one party because that is who is in power. The Governor has the responsibility of listening to all of Arizona and all of its problems.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Water, water needs to be Arizona's top priority. Arizona is growing at an exponential rate and it frightens me to see how many people and businesses are moving to Arizona. Arizona is a desert and is not meant to sustain a large population. Businesses and people will always move when water is not available but I am born and raised here and I plan to die of old age in Arizona. We need to make sure Arizona has a sustainable plan that will last hundreds of years to come not just a lifetime.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Checks and balances but also a lot of gridlocks.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I believe that candidates are applying for a job. As our society and demographic change, we need younger and more diverse people in different fields in politics. Lawmakers should have experience in politics, governing, or an issue that requires expertise.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, this is one of the most important jobs in any job, relationships go a long way.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

We have the technology today that can independently and fairly divide districts up, it is time to use them so that our districts are divided fairly.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Appropriations, Education, Natural Resources Energy & Water

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Charlene Fernandez

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Sen. Raquel Terran speaking about immigration.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

In life, you never get everything you want, and many times you have to settle for less for the greater good.