Regina Mustafa Campaign Logo
Regina Mustafa Campaign Logo
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Official Bio:

Originally from Philadelphia, Regina has been living in Rochester for over 10 years. She is a wife and mother of two young children in the Rochester Public School system. Education is not only a high priority to Regina as a mother, but also to Regina herself as she is pursuing a Masters degree in Human Services from Winona State University - Rochester.

In 2014, Regina formed the non-profit organization, Community Interfaith Dialogue on Islam (CIDI). She has worked tirelessly throughout southern Minnesota building bridges and fostering understand among our richly diverse communities.

Regina also serves on the City of Rochester Ethical Practices Board and the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission. She has been an advocate for affordable housing, especially for minority groups, through her current presence on the Rochester Area Foundation Housing Alliance.

In 2015, Regina received the Champion of Diversity Award from the Diversity Council of Rochester. That same year she also earned the Bridge-Builder Award from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

In 2016, Regina was recognized by Mayor Ardell Brede with the Mayor’s Medal of Honor in recognition of her years of community service in Rochester. Additionally, she was chosen as a Rising Champion of Justice by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota.

More About Regina:

Bachelor's Degree in American Studies (minor in History) from Penn State
After graduation, Regina lived in Seoul, South Korea for two years teaching English as a Second Language
Volunteered at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia
Has lived in Minnesota for almost 13 years and Rochester for 11 years.
Has lived in Rochester since 2007 with her husband and two children ages 8 and 6.
Regina is a die-hard fan of Downton Abbey.

Your key platforms 

For more on her key platforms, visit http://mustafaformayor.com/ourvision/
Affordable housing:
One of the biggest challenges to face our city is ensuring that all our residents have access to affordable housing. However because there is no one problem causing this affordable housing crisis, there is also no single solution. We must come together as a community to find comprehensive and collaborative solutions to this problem

Living Wage:
As mayor, I will lead the effort to establish incremental increases in the minimum wage for Rochester. Our current affordable housing crisis wouldn’t exist if our workforce was earning an income reflective of their hard work and talent. I will work with business owners, local, and state governments to bring Minnesota’s third-largest city an hourly wage that will enable everyone to stay, live, and thrive in our city.

Public Transit:
Rochester deserves a multi-modal public transit system. As our city rapidly expands in population, our local government must reflect a move towards a future of pedestrian and transit-friendly policies. With efficient and sustainable transit planning, our residents will be better linked to essentials of life, such as places of work, grocery stores, health care, schools, parks, and the arts.

Why should Rochester vote for you as our mayor? 

I have been a community leader in Rochester for over four years. I have worked tirelessly to bring Rochester's diverse groups together for mutual understanding and collaboration. Our city needs a leader, someone who understand the most pressing issues first-hand, and can relate to multiple groups of people. Being a wife and mother of two young children, providing an inclusive and dynamic city that works allows all to work, live, and play, is something I want for my family and all families. Being legally blind, I offer a unique perspective and voice often missing at the decision-making table, especially as our city grows with DMC and expands its public transportation. I have been using our public transit for years and understand its strengths and shortcomings. I have also served Rochester in a civic capacity as well. I served on the city's Ethical Practices Board for two years and currently am the vice-chair of the Olmsted County Human Rights Commission. I will be the mayor who puts the needs and concerns of the people who live in Rochester first.

What do you envision for the future of Rochester?

I envision Rochester to be a city where people from all income levels, all ethnic and racial backgrounds, can live, work, and play. The Destination Medical Center is a tremendous opportunity for Rochester. But we need strong leaders to make sure the DMC is working for everyone, and not pushing anyone out. I envision a downtown that is a welcoming and thriving economic hub of art, entertainment, open space, and easily accessible with the multi-modal transit system laid out in the Comprehensive Plan. Downtown should make every effort to include local, small business owners. The outlying neighborhoods will also offer a more thriving atmosphere that captures the unique qualities of its area and neighbors. I envision Rochester to be America's City of Health, not only for its top-notch health care system, but also for creating a healthy living for all who live here.

What are your connections to The Mayo Clinic? How do you plan to work with The Mayo Clinic?

My husband is currently a Mayo employee. My family and I have been receiving healthcare from Mayo ever since moving to Rochester in 2007. Both of my children were born at Methodist Hospital. We have received nothing but the best care with any visit. Mayo must continue to thrive as a major employer for our area, and also as a destination of health for people from all over the world. I envision the City of Rochester and The Mayo Clinic to be a partnership, working to fulfill the needs of all involved, while making sure the people who have lived and worked here are not forgotten. As the DMC predicts over 30,000 new jobs in the not-so-distant future, the City must ensure it provides a place that is affordable for those who are expected to fill those positions.

What are your connections to the DMC? How do you plan to work with the DMC?

I have been following the progress of DMC for years, especially with the transportation piece. The downtown plans of the DMC (Discovery Square and Walk/Wells Fargo Building, etc.) offer tremendous opportunities for economic growth. As Mayor, I will ensure that all of Rochester's communities can benefit from the DMC, including the amenities that will be offered downtown. The DMC must continue to seek out the input from all communities in Rochester. As Mayor, I will call for a DMC that equally-beneficial to all, no matter of one's economic level. I will also call for the benefits of the DMC to expand outside of the downtown area.

How would you address the concerns of citizens about the loss of some of the city's older and potentially historic buildings to new development?

Being born and raised in a city like Philadelphia and having a Bachelor's in American Studies from Penn State, I have a deep respect and appreciation for historical buildings and how they contribute to a city's culture and identity. Every effort must be taken to ensure the dignity and longevity of the historical elements of our city. We can have a modern city while still celebrating and cherishing the reminders of how we got here. The City's Heritage Preservation Commission serves a vital role in ensuring the existence of our past. As Mayor, I will ensure HPC openings are filled with qualified community members.

Favorite Rochester Moment?

Outside of the births of my two children, my favorite Rochester moment is when I received the Mayor's Medal of Honor in 2016 from Mayor Brede for my years of community service.

What’s one thing you want the Rochester community to know about you?

I play the violin.

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