City of Tolleson, Arizona
Board Member: Government Leaders
As a Tolleson native, teacher, and mother, Mayor Anna Tovar holds a firm grasp of the issues demanding immediate attention such as quality education, infrastructure, affordable healthcare, and building a strong economy.
Mayor Tovar was a teacher for five years for the Tolleson Elementary School District, served on the Tolleson City Council for seven and a half years, and was Vice Mayor for two years until she joined the House of Representatives and served as Minority Whip. In 2013, she entered the Senate where she served as the District 19 representative advocating for Avondale, Tolleson, West Phoenix and the entire state.
As Senator Tovar, she developed a well-earned reputation as a legislator who fought for the dignity of underserved people. In 2011, she championed the effort to restore funding for nearly 100 patients on the bone marrow transplant list, saving many lives.
While at the state she was member of the Senate Judiciary, Senate Appropriations, Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Joint Committee on Capital Review. She also served as Senate Minority Leader and Latino Caucus Chair.
Senator Tovar worked as a Campaign Director for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She raised funds to find a cure for cancer and to assist cancer patients. As a two time cancer survivor, Mayor Tovar remains determined to find a cure.
Throughout her time at the state, she knew one day she would return to her hometown Tolleson to resume her career as a local elected official.
Mayor Tovar was elected in 2016 as the first female to hold this prestigious office. Developing regional partnerships and collaborating with local and state elected officials to advocate for her constituency is among her top priorities.
Mayor Tovar and her husband have been married for over 20 years and has two wonderful sons.
She is proud of her roots in Tolleson, Arizona, proud to be a product of the public school system and proud to have given back as a teacher, mentor and leader in her community.