In 1968, Richard Nixon rode to presidential victory by persuading American voters that they were getting a “New Nixon.” This “New Nixon” professed to be more relaxed and mature than the prickly man who’d kissed off members of the press corps six years earlier with a sarcastic assurance that he wouldn’t be available to get kicked around by them anymore.

Elena Guajardo probably wouldn’t appreciate comparisons to the only American president forced to resign the office in disgrace, but the connection is apt in at least one sense: Although Guajardo, 58, is making her fourth consecutive City Council run, the candidate making the rounds of District 7 this year feels like a New Elena.

Join Plaza de Armas to read the full article and access all of our content. Subscribe now or login.