By Chris Glover and Jenn Duff (originally published in the July 19th edition of the Mesa Tribune)

On paper, the two of us have taken different roads.

We grew up with different perspectives, learned from different mentors, and have often found ourselves on opposite sides of political debates. But life has a way of revealing what matters most.

We have both had the privilege of serving the people of Mesa’s District 4 for nearly sixteen years between the two of us. That shared experience is why we are writing together today. We know what this job requires. And we know who is ready to do it.

This Job Has Always Been About People

District 4 has never fit neatly into anyone’s political narrative.

It is downtown Mesa and the neighborhoods that grew up around it. It is families whose roots stretch back generations alongside newcomers building a life here for the first time. It is teachers and tradespeople, small business owners and students, retirees, young parents, artists, entrepreneurs, and neighbors who simply want their children to grow up in a community they can still afford to call home.

When you serve this district, you don’t get to choose which voices matter. And that is exactly the kind of public servant Nick Willis already is.

The Kind of Leader Our Community Deserves

We’ve had the opportunity to watch Nick long before he became a candidate. Nick is a fifth-generation Arizonan, a graduate of Mesa Public Schools, and someone who chose to build his family’s future in the very community that helped shape him. His hope is the same hope shared by so many families here: that our children will be able to build lives in the city they love.

We’ve seen him serve on the Museum and Cultural Advisory Board. We’ve watched him mentor young people, volunteer in the community, attend neighborhood meetings, and quietly do the kind of work that rarely earns headlines but strengthens a city one relationship at a time. He asks thoughtful questions, seeks out different perspectives, and understands that people want to be heard before they want to be convinced.

At a time when it can feel easier to divide than to unite, Nick has consistently believed that Mesa’s greatest strength is its ability to solve problems together. That instinct, to build trust instead of division, is one of the reasons our city has remained focused on practical solutions rather than political spectacle.

Why This Matters to Us

It is unusual for the two of us to write something like this together. There will be future elections where we support different candidates. There will always be issues on which we disagree. But this race feels different. Because District 4 isn’t an abstract political contest. It is our home. Whether you are Republican, Democrat, independent, or simply tired of labels altogether, we ask you to look beyond the noise that too often defines politics today. We believe Nick Willis will serve every corner of District 4 with humility, steadiness, and respect. On July 21, we hope you’ll join us in supporting Nick Willis for Mesa City Council, District 4.

Chris Glover is a former Vice Mayor of Mesa and served two terms as the District 4 Councilmember. Jenn Duff is the current District 4 Councilmember and a former Vice Mayor of Mesa.

Different Paths, Shared Purpose: Why We’re Standing Together for Nick Willis

Nick 4 Mesa