Arizona Republic - Candidate Responses

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Jane Poston

Councilmember, City of Chandler

Candidate Responses to Arizona Republic

June 8, 2026

Why are you running for Chandler City Council?

I’m running because I believe Chandler’s best days are ahead of us, and that city leadership has a role in ushering that future into reality. I want to be part of making our city the kind of place my kids –and yours-can call home. Can city government do it alone? Absolutely not. But we can create the infrastructure that businesses demand, and the culture that families crave as a foundation to build on. That means investing in a top-notch quality of life, in a city that deserves every bit of it; jobs, roads, neighborhoods, schools, safety and events. What does the ideal mix of development for your city look like? Which two factors would you consider first when faced with voting on a proposed development?The ideal mix of development is a delicate balance of businesses, housing, nonprofits and amenities that all contribute to a world class quality of life. Combine that with a municipal government like Chandler –that is fiscally sound and delivers the lowest cost of service of any City in the valley, and you have a community that is attractive to residents, visitors and businesses alike. Development is critical as we reach build out and factors I would consider first are whether a development is the best and highest use of the property, and whether it is a fit for the community.

What does the ideal mix of development for your city look like? Which two factors would you consider first when faced with voting on a proposed development?

The ideal mix of development is a delicate balance of businesses, housing, nonprofits and amenities that all contribute to a world class quality of life. Combine that with a municipal government like Chandler –that is fiscally sound and delivers the lowest cost of service of any City in the valley, and you have a community that is attractive to residents, visitors and businesses alike. Development is critical as we reach build out and factors I would consider first are whether a development is the best and highest use of the property, and whether it is a fit for the community.

What is the biggest long-term issue facing your city?What’s the first thing you would do to address it? Be specific.

Housing prices affect families, workforce development and contribute to declining school population. While housing prices are market-driven, City Council can take measure to help more people achieve the American dream.I’ve voted to allow more flexible housing products like ADUs and container homes and approved a plan for public housing to accommodate seniors, veterans and families.I’m supporting a public/private partnership placing city property into a Land Trust with a nonprofit partner. The private sector’s reduced construction costs are passed along to qualified buyers who build equity for their next house. The process then repeats in perpetuity for other families.

How specifically would you prioritize employment corridors and housing needs?

It’s critical to preserve our employment corridors, but I want to be flexible enough to keep Chandler in the competition for unique, high-value projects.That’s why I voted in favor of a General Plan update allowing true mixed-use projects in the Price Corridor. This gives Chandler the ability to attract projects with enormous community benefits while preserving one of our most valuable employment centers. If approved by voters, a major employer could develop a mixed-use property that includes housing –but only if the housing is secondary to the employer and the entire project is cohesive in design and intent.

Who in public life, pastor present, do you admire most?Why? And what less on do you draw from their experience?

My dad. While I’m not sure he was a major public figure, he was an advocate for people who couldn’t speak for themselves in both his business and his personal life. He was fiercely protective of people who needed protecting –and he didn’t care if no one else in the room shared his opinion. It takes character, strength and confidence to stand up for what you believe in the way he did, and I can only hope to live up to his legacy.

Which fictional character from movies or books do you relate to most and why? What lesson do you draw from them?

As an avid reader-this is tough! As a kid I often chose books that depicted families who moved a lot. Of course, the stories always ended with the kids finding their purpose, people and their place –just like I have found in Chandler. I really did move a lot in my lifetime and know that many communities value exclusivity. Our city’s welcoming culture, and the fact that you can be as connected and involved as you choose to be is what made me know I wanted to raise my family here and be part of the fabric of the community.

What specific accomplishment would you most want voters to remember you for when you leave office?

It’s said that people don’t remember what you do, but how you make them feel. I would like to be remembered as someone who makes people feel really and truly heard. Even if –or especially if –we have differences of opinion. I think that working to understand other perspectives is one of the most important parts of being an effective City Council member. (I definitely need to credit another person I admire, Maya Angelou, for that quote!)

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