Zolanye McCully-Bachicha appointed as new District 4 representative for Pueblo
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Following a special session Monday, Pueblo City Council appointed Zolanye McCully-Bachicha as the new representative for District 4.
During the special session, the city council heard from Phillip Padilla, John Wark, Zolayne McCully-Bachicha, Eric Segall, and Christopher Salgado.
City council members asked the candidates questions on why they thought they would be the best fit to represent District 4 and their plans for Pueblo.
When asked what her priorities would be she said, "Economic development, how are we going to bring jobs to Pueblo, and how are we going to sustain the jobs that we have," McCully-Bachicha said. Education, making it accessible and for those that are seeking higher education in Pueblo, how do we keep them here? Drugs, mental illness, homelessness, how are we going to battle all of those?"
Following the interviews, the city council had a short recess before votes were read. McCully-Bachicha won 4-2, with two votes going towards John Wark.
During her interview, McCully-Bachicha told council members she was born and raised in Pueblo, specifically the Bessemer area. She graduated from Colorado State University with a business degree before returning to Pueblo to receive a nursing degree from CSU-Pueblo. Currently, she said she works for her family's business.
"I live and breath this area. I wouldn't have come back. I had many choices, but my heart was always Pueblo," McCully-Bachicha said.
McCully-Bachicha fills the vacancy in District 4 following the death of council member Ray Aguilera, who passed away in May. However, Aguilera had a term of two years, through 2023. McCully-Bachicha will only fill the position through the next municipal election. If she wishes to remain in office, she will need to run in the November 2021 election.
Read more about the other candidates through our news affiliate The Pueblo Chieftain.
Watch the full interview special session below:
For the vote, watch below:
