I have a deep appreciation for our rural areas, and I’m often reminded that even though the miles between our communities can be vast, there’s always a friend to be found. A recent trip to St. Johns really brought this home for me. The first person I ran into when I visited was an old friend, and I quickly learned that this friend was also connected to someone I know from another community. It struck me that, no matter which direction I drive, I can always find someone I know and trust within an hour’s reach. That sense of connection is powerful, and I realized I’m far from alone in experiencing it.
This is no small thing. Having spent ten years living in inner-city San Diego, I shared a building with people I never even met. There’s something profoundly different about rural life. From the outside, someone looking at a map of northern Arizona might see isolated towns, spread far apart and seemingly disconnected by geography and purpose. But the true strength of rural communities lies in the fact that, despite the distance, we’re all part of one interconnected network.
When we come together, share our goals, and speak with one voice, we can have the same impact as any large city. That collective voice can demand attention and bring real change. I believe most of us can agree on what that agenda should look like—a stronger economy, more jobs, a more diverse education, and greater access to resources from those who have them. By supporting all of our rural communities and ensuring that our needs are met, we can make a lasting difference. Together, we are far more powerful than we realize.
