Meet Merissa

Merissa Hamilton has worked with Arizona legislators on essential reforms to protect children, strengthen families, modernize election integrity, drive responsible criminal justice with a foundation in public safety, prevent abuse of civil asset forfeiture, and promote self-defense for women.

 

She led efforts at the Arizona legislature and the City of Phoenix to reform zoning laws to solve the crisis of working veterans experiencing homelessness and allow for the construction of innovative, affordable solutions from the non-profit sector such as tiny home communities.

 

While working at the Phoenix City Council, her efforts contributed to defeat the misguided Vision Zero, onerous tax increases on small businesses and redirected over $500M into crumbling infrastructure without a tax increase.

 

As Chair of the Arizona Legislature Policing subcommittee,  Merissa led the development of a State-wide responsible reform plan called Police Deflection. She worked with the Tucson, Goodyear, Tempe, and Phoenix Police Departments to empower a community policing model with a strong emphasis on public safety.

 

At the Federal level, Merissa co-led a grassroots lobbying effort with grandmothers from all across the country on the Family First lookback bill to strengthen families and protect children. Her work, combined with initiatives from other stakeholders, resulted in the Executive Order on Strengthening the Child Welfare System for America's Children signed by the President.

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In 2020, Merissa decided to run for Phoenix Mayor after many community members and small business owners asked for her help in pushing back against the disastrous policies of the incumbent Mayor. Public safety was in shambles and thousands of small business owners were being forced to shut down permanently without any relief.

 

The first partisan candidate in over two decades to receive the endorsement of law enforcement for Phoenix Mayor, Merissa holds the record for the highest number of votes in Phoenix history for a non-incumbent. Merissa drove policy resulting in safer neighborhoods and vital reforms for those experiencing mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

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Merissa now serves as the co-founder and CEO of Strong Communities Action and is the Executive Director of Kari Lake's organization Save Arizona.