Your Community Representative

Amada Marquez Simula is pictured near the Minnesota State Capitol.

Amada Márquez Simula is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives District 39B

Informed. Fearless. Creative. Leadership.

As the Mayor of Columbia Heights, I co-govern with my colleagues in state and federal offices. Together, we have made great progress for the community during my three terms in office. In that same spirit, I pledge to collaborate with the leadership of all the cities as your Representative in Minnesota House District 39B.

Read my full announcement

Making a Difference

Protecting the Environment

Humans need pollinators. I’ve helped Columbia Heights become a national leader in protecting this critical link in our food chain. We are recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for fulfilling the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. I have also made No Mow May a recognized city practice.

Lawn sign that reads 'We are participating in No Mow May to help keep our pollinators from fading away.'
A girl watches caterpillars eat milkweed at a Monarch Butterfly Festival in Columbia Heights, MN.
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula leads the festivities at the Columbia Heights Monarch Festival.
Kids dressed in butterfly wings do a coloring activity at the Columbia Heights Monarch Festival.
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula leads the community in grieving after Brooklyn Center police killed former Columbia Heights student Daunte Wright.

Community Grieving and Healing

Our society has deep problems with racism. Solutions will take generations. I recognize this injustice, I share the outrage, and I’m committed to long-term strategies. I have created a Rapid Response Team to ensure that everyone can assemble and demonstrate safely, if needed.

Listening and Leading by Example

Representation means constantly listening to our residents. I have established regular communication with various cultural communities within our city. I have also reestablished a Youth Commission in Columbia Heights.

Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula encourages a young cancer survivor, both dressed as Wonder Woman.
Kids listen to Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula talk about protecting the environment.
Kids ask Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula questions in a school classroom.
Teens from First Lutheran Church as Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula questions at Dairy Queen in Columbia Heights, MN.
Columbia Heights mayor declares July 1 Somali American Day in the city

Celebrating our Differences

One of the best features of Columbia Heights is our diversity. I recognize our many cultures and communities through official city proclamations, and by attending celebrations and events.

Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula gets a traditional henna tattoo during the annual Art and Info fair.
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula holds a proclamation declaring PRIDE Day in Columbia Heights, MN.
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula poses with performers at the Columbia Heights Multicultural Festival.
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula teaches a Day of the Dead traditional crafting class at the Columbia Heights Public Library.
A uniformed person becomes a US citizen, holding an American flag and a naturalization certificate

The American Dream

Columbia Heights is one of the most diverse cities in Minnesota. Since taking office, I have helped two people become US citizens. This includes reuniting a family that was separated internationally. As Mayor, I have no power to make these changes. I simply saw opportunities to connect people with the resources they needed.

Reconciling Our Past

Many of us were raised on a single language and a single viewpoint of history without considering our immigrant and indigenous neighbors. I am proud to include a native land acknowledgement in city proceedings. I have also corrected the signage in our city park to include the correct spelling of our Sister City, Łomianki Poland.

Łomianki Park in the City of Columbia Heights, MN had its sign corrected by Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula to reflect the true spelling of its Sister City, Łomianki Poland.
Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula inspects the construction of a new City Hall in Columbia Heights, MN.

Securing Our Future

Columbia Heights has been viewed as an old bedroom suburb, but we are actually building new spaces for both businesses and housing. The new city hall and several new apartment buildings have opened in the past year. I’m excited to continue moving forward with other large development projects at the former Rainbow and Medtronic sites. Redevelopment of a smarter and safer Central Avenue will begin in 2028.