Leadership and Service

“When you have solidarity and you're united, that makes a force to be reckoned with.”

Because of their strong relationships, union members stand together in solidarity. When copper miners went on strike , Kevin felt proud of his brothers and sisters and the support they gave each other. They believed in their cause, certain that if they stuck together, they could win the strike and resolve the labor disputes. They were willing to make sacrifices for each other and for their families to make things better for everyone. It's about looking out for the good of the whole community, not just personal gains.

“I always felt that as a leader, I led by example. I showed people that I had integrity, that if I said I was going to do something, I would do it, and I was dependable.”

While the strike ended after almost a year, Kevin continues to support union members by acting as a negotiator during disputes between managers and workers. His goal is always to help them come to an agreement by talking out the problem and listening to both sides. At times when the issues are complex and difficult to resolve, Kevin conducts careful investigations to determine what happened and decide what actions to take. 

“As a state legislator, my role will be essentially the same as being a union leader. I'm the voice of my people and my department. I'm the middleman between them and management. In the state legislature, I'm the voice of the people who elected me. I'll be their voice when it comes time to create new laws, change policies, or pass bills. You've got to listen to people and show them that you're supportive of them, and you're going to do what's asked of you.”

Just like in the legislature, or any organization, a good negotiator expects to deal with the kind of conflict that occurs when both sides are convinced they are in the right and refuse to back down. That said, Kevin knows that there cannot be growth without conflict.

“As a human being, an organization, a company, or a competitive team -  to be good, you have to have to grow. That growth is naturally going to come from some sort of hardship or conflict.”

Conflict is uncomfortable for most people. They either don't know how or don't want to take the time to listen to the other side, and they don't want to deal with the conflict. A good negotiator like Kevin knows how to remain neutral and avoid taking an issue personally.

The first step in resolving conflict is to find commonality, a realization that both sides are not too far apart. Being willing to listen to each other can lead to finding a middle ground or compromise that both can agree on.

A legislator’s job is to seek out that middle ground and find solutions that will benefit all parties. As a representative for rural Arizonans, Kevin understands the challenges they face. He knows the best way to serve his constituents is by representing their interests in the legislature.

People need leaders who will support them, listen to their needs, and help find solutions to their problems. Kevin is a natural leader. One who loves his community and appreciates the way he grew up in a small town. He shares the values that people have, the slower-paced lifestyle, and being surrounded by the scenic views that nature provides.

“I want to be the voice of the blue-collar family. That's what I am, to the core - a hardworking blue-collar guy, and I want to bring that voice to our state legislature. If do a good job, people will appreciate that. And that would make me feel really good.”