EL MIRAGE, AZ — She's the fresh new face around city hall, and at just 29 years old, El Mirage Mayor Alexis Hermosillo is pumping new life into the position and the city.
"It's beautiful to hear people say there's a new energy around city hall," Hermosillo said. "Especially in the community, in our city, and I definitely feel like that's been a team effort," she said.
Her interest in politics was sparked and shaped early, serving in the offices of Phoenix City Council member Michael Nowakowski and Congressman Raul Grijalva.
Hermosillo was born and raised in El Mirage, with her family living in the community for generations.
She says she's proud to have a leadership role where she can help shape the city, and has a clear vision of the path ahead.
"It's just about growing the workforce, providing job opportunities for people, and looking for educational opportunities that will really help our community grow," she said.
Hermosillo says she's focused on continuing to foster good business relationships with local companies like Microsoft and Luke Air Force Base, and hopes the momentum will attract even more opportunities to El Mirage.
As mayor, Hermosillo says she understands that being seen as role model comes with the territory, and she's happy to connect with younger constituents.
"I love to see whenever young people come up and say, 'I'm so excited that you're my mayor, we're into the same things,'" she recalls. But when it comes to getting down to business, Hermosillo says she serves all the people of El Mirage, and working together is what makes a community great.
"I would love to serve as a beacon of light to individuals whether they're young, whether they're older, and regardless of what background they come from," she said.
"I really just want people to know that you can do anything you want in your life," Hermosilo said. " Just work at it, have heart, have passion, and even if you fail...failure is not the opposite of success. It's just a stepping stone."
