Fernando Gonzales has announced his candidacy for Pima County Board of Supervisors District 5 seat in 2012. The position is currently held by Richard Elias who was appointed to the seat when Congressman Raul Grijalva went on to Congress.
Gonzales, a local small business owner and son of first generation immigrant farm workers, is one of 8 children that traveled between Arizona and California working in the agricultural fields including cotton fields in Marana. Fernando started a family and eventually moved to Tucson. Fernando is now owner and CEO of JanCo Janitorial which was founded by his sister Elizabeth Gonzales Gann.
As a business owner and on a personal level Fernando believes in giving back to the community both by giving of his time and financial contributions. The company and personally has financially supported over Fifty non-profit organizations.
Fernando’s love and passion for people and especially those who are downtrodden has taken him to many of the poorest areas in Mexico. Today he continues to support an orphanage and a ministry that feeds children on a daily basis.
“It’s time we take a different look at the issues of poverty, decaying roads and lack of jobs and lack of hope for your youth.” Gonzales said at his announcement event. “What makes America great and once made Pima County great was the belief and pride in ourselves our families and our neighborhoods. I think we’ve lost that hope.”
Gonzales cited the perception of Pima County as being difficult to do business in as one of the main things he wants to focus on during his campaign. “We have to get out of the rut of saying “NO” to everything and start looking for ways to help our small businesses open and start hiring.”
“Fernando is an American success story and role model in his church, family and community. We should celebrate those that worked hard and changed their direction of their lives.” Said Elizabeth Gonzalez Gann, Fernando’s sister and campaign chair. “The latino voters and neighbors in District 5 will see Fernando as a part of their community and someone who values hard work and faith as a way to get ahead.”