State House

Rosanna’s believes in creating opportunities and prosperity by supporting and encouraging public education and economic development efforts.  She is a champion for protecting Arizona’s unique environment and protecting our most vulnerable.

She is serving her third term as an Arizona State Representative for Legislative District 2, and is a past council member of the Town of Sahuarita.  Rosanna is known for her work with the local business community, school boards and major business partners to bring together successful opportunities for growth and education.  She is most proud of her participation in programs that involve working with children.

Rosanna also serves on the Friends of the Green Valley Library, the Southeast Arizona Advisory Board of the Chicanos Por La Causa, Advisory Council of the Green Valley Salvation Army, and is a member of the Southeast Arizona Citizens Forum Board of the International Boundary Water Commission.

Daniel Hernandez Jr., is an Arizona native. He is the 2015 Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 Man of the Year. As a first generation college student, he was a congressional intern for the office of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. While assisting Congresswoman Giffords with a constituent event in Tucson on January 8, 2011, Daniel took actions for which he is widely credited with saving the life of the Congresswoman after a gunman shot her and 18 other people.

Driven by passion for social justice and public service, he has worked on many issues at the state, local and federal level including: gun violence prevention, LGBT Equality, comprehensive immigration reform, and educational equity.

He has served as a member on the City of Tucson Commission on LGBT issues. He served as a director on the Arizona Students’ Association’s Board of Directors, A Fellow for the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy and on the Board of Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates. He was elected to the Sunnyside Unified School District Governing board in November 2011 and most recently served as President of the board. In that role, he was successful in creating a 5-year strategic plan, opened new k-8 fine arts magnet school, hired a new superintendent, accomplished comprehensive sex education and secured grant funding to implement it.

Daniel is committed to fight for the prosperity of our families and community.

Representative Sally Ann Gonzales was born in Brawley, California and raised in the Yaqui community of Guadalupe, Arizona with her ten sisters and brothers. She is married to longtime Pascua Yaqui tribal councilman Luis Gonzales with whom she has five daughters and 22 grandchildren. Sally holds a BA in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Multicultural Education from the University of Arizona.

In 1992 she was elected to the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council and served until 1996 when she was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives. There she served two terms in the House representing her legislative district where she sat on the Appropriations Committee, the Government Operations Committee, and as the ranking member of the Public Institutions & Universities committee. A strong proponent for quality education, health care and children’s, women’s, and employee rights; Sally sponsored and/or co-sponsor legislation to improve the lives of women and children that made positive improvements in education and health care for all. Her sponsorship specifically included, among other areas, legislation for foreign language instructions, lead poisoning prevention, solar and clean energy incentives, teacher salaries, maternity benefits, postpartum care, diabetes treatment, gang prevention, class size reduction, and environmental justice.

Before staring her political career, Sally was an education professional. After leaving the legislature in 2000, she continued within her profession, serving as the Education Director of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Her professional experience includes teaching, teacher training and administration for Tucson Unified School District, Tempe Elementary Schools, Arizona State University, and University of Arizona.

At Arizona State University’s Center for Indian Education (CIE), Sally served as program manager for a year long professional teacher-training program for twenty indigenous teachers from southern Mexico. She was also served as program manager for the Arizona Tri- Universities for Indian Education (ATUIE), the first and only consortium in the country dedicated to improving the condition of American Indian students in higher education.

At the University of Arizona, Sally served as coordinator for two programs. One was Manos a la Vida, a self- intervention research project that worked with women with breast cancer within the Hispanic community in the southern Arizona and the border of communities in Mexico. She also coordinated the Bedouin-Yaqui Project, a unique educational research project working with the Bedouins of Israel and Yaquis from Tucson, Arizona.

Sally was a board member of the Pima Prevention Partnership, founded through the Center of Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) as a grassroots self-help organization to produce a lasting and significant reduction in substance abuse in the community by incorporating collaborative skill building and leadership training to empower community groups to assume responsibility for understanding and acting on substance abuse issues within their communities.

Sally is currently the president of the board of Guadalupe Affordable Housing Inc. (GAHI), a for-profit corporation incorporated to conduct real estate development, specifically single and multi-family affordable housing developments. Its objectives are to promote the availability of quality and affordable housing for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.

Throughout her adult life, she has been involved in a wide range of civic activities to promote the rights of minority populations, especially Indigenous and Hispanic communities who are the historical and cultural foundation of Arizona.

Macario was born in Nogales, Arizona, in 1941. Members of his family have lived in Arizona since the Gadsden Purchase in 1835.

He completed all his undergraduate and graduate (Bachelors, Master’s and PhD) work in Education at the University of Arizona and was a professor and administrator from 1972 to 2009. He was the fourth and longest serving (20 years) director of the UA Guadalajara Summer School and founding director of the UA Bilingual Education Programs, and initiated the UA Mexican American Studies and Research Center in 1981.

He served on the Pima Community College District Governing Board from 1973 to 1979 and was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives from Legislative District 27 in 2010. He serves on the Government and Higher Education Committee, as well as the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Macario was reelected in 2012 and 2014 to represent Legislative District 3 of Tucson.

He is a member of numerous groups and associations and his hobbies include welding, ironwork and small construction projects. He is committed to the search for common ground and respectful dialogue within the political process with a willingness to consider all sides of an issue.

Macario lives in the Sunset Villa Neighborhood in Tucson.

Charlene earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Northern Arizona University. She worked for Congressman Ed Pastor for twelve years, coordinating constituent services for the western portion of then Congressional District 2. While working for Congressman Pastor, Charlene spearheaded an effort that culminated in bringing a Veteran’s Administration clinic to Yuma County for the first time in history; previously the Phoenix Veterans facility was the closest place for them to receive these services. Charlene also helped numerous residents work through the red tape of the Federal Government for services ranging from Social Security to agriculture programs. She also served in a similar capacity for Congressman Raul Grijalva. Her vast experience led her to becoming a consultant for a software company that produced a Constituent Management System for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Charlene later served Governor Janet Napolitano as a liaison for the Arizona Department of Environment Quality in Yuma County. In this capacity she worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as its counterpart in the Republic of Mexico, to ensure that the air and water in Southwestern Arizona remained safe while ensuring that businesses faced minimal impact.

As an educator Charlene decided to make an impact outside of the classroom by being elected to Yuma Union High School District Governing Board, serving as president and vice president. On the board, she became an outspoken advocate for students while working with staff to ensure fair conditions — she advocated for the cafeteria workers during a time when their concerns were not being taken under consideration. Charlene worked with budget experts to ensure that physical education teachers and registered nurses continued to provide their services, which were critically needed in their schools.

As a community-minded citizen, Charlene devotes time to local charities serving on boards and lending her experience to their challenges.

Charlene and her husband, Sergio, have three children: Brian, Carlye, and Lisa. She lives with her husband in central Yuma less than two miles from where she was raised.

Dr. Geraldine (Gerae) Peten, has a long career in education. She has been the superintendent of a rural Arizona school district, an administrator at several schools and has a doctoral degree in education. She runs an education consulting business today.

Rep. Peten is the newest member of the Arizona Legislature. She was appointed to the position in the summer of 2017.

 

Kirsten Engel is a professor at the University of Arizona College of Law where she teaches environmental law and legislative analysis to graduate and undergraduate students. A former associate dean of the College, Kirsten created the Environmental Law Certificate Program and helped launch the student-run Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy. Prior to her teaching career, Ms. Engel practiced environmental law with state and federal agencies.

Kirsten and her husband Scott are the proud parents of a middle school-age daughter. It was the desire to improve the educational opportunities available to Arizona’s public school children and to provide affordable higher education at the State’s universities and community colleges that first motivated Kirsten to run for public office. Active in her daughter’s school, Kirsten brings her passion for education to her work in the legislature.

The daughter of a public school teacher and a theologian, Kirsten worked a variety of odd jobs to help pay her way through college, from scooping ice cream to waitressing to giving guided nature and cultural tours as a National Park Service ranger.

Kirsten lives with her husband, daughter and two dogs in Tucson right down the street from her parents. She enjoys hiking, running and spending time with her family.

Mitzi Epstein is a computer systems analyst who has worked for multinational companies and has run a small business, Custom Language Training, which is currently on hiatus. As a Representative for the people of District 18, she is focusing full time on listening to the community and working collaboratively to improve the quality of life for Arizonans.

District 18 includes Ahwatukee, south Tempe, west Chandler, and southwest Mesa.

Mitzi was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2016.

She has been a lifelong community problem solver, working at the community and state levels for strong schools, active youth sports programs, entrepreneurial opportunities, and vibrant arts, all of which promote a strong economy.

• Multinational Corporations:
  • She and her teams built financial computer models to provide analytics in finance and manufacturing.
  • She worked for Olin Brass, Inc., Citicorp Mortgage Inc., and Aerovox Corporation.
  • She describes, “The work of a systems analyst is to improve the way work is done: cutting costs, and improving accuracy.”
• Small Business Owner:
  • Custom Language Training provided customized instruction to help businesses and individuals become fluent to achieve career success.
  • With a team of polyglots, CLT developed the product, “Pocket Glossaries” a practical solution to the need for an easy reference book on the job.
• School Board:
  • She was elected to the Kyrene Elementary School District Governing Board in 2004, and worked successfully with education professionals to improve transparency of operations, while always keeping the focus on student achievement.
  • She is often asked to present information to parents, businesses, and school communities about shared decision making and effective, respectful advocacy at the local school, district, and state levels.
• State PTA
  • As former Vice President/Legislative Chair, of the Arizona PTA, Parent Teacher Association, Mitzi mentored over 200 local PTA groups, helping parents develop actionable solutions.
• Co-founder of the statewide APPLE Coalition, AZ Parents for Public Education
  • APPLE was a state-wide coalition of parent organizations supporting and empowering parents to advocate at the state level for public education. Now the Arizona Parent Network fulfills this mission to connect parents, professional educators, community members and businesses to improve outcomes in public education.
• Co-founder of Yes Public Ed
  • Yes Public Ed is a group that promotes dialogue between the community and our legislators.
• With community members, Mitzi has organized forums for the community with governors and legislators on current education and economic issues.
• Youth Soccer Coach, Coach Trainer, Coach Administrator, Registrar, and soccer mom: She says, “We spent many wonderful weekends with families on soccer fields in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Mesa, and Tempe. Those friendships forged on soccer fields are lasting because we were not just teaching children soccer lessons, we were teaching life lessons in teamwork, setting goals, determination, cooperation and competition.”
• President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Chair of PTOs and PTA

Jose “Diego” Espinoza is currently serving his second term in the House of Representatives for Legislative District 19 (LD19). LD19 serves residents in Avondale, Tolleson and West Phoenix. In addition to proudly serving in the state legislature, Representative Espinoza’s professional career includes prior public service as a Council Member and Vice Mayor of Tolleson, Arizona and owning and operating a successful small business.

State Representative Reginald Bolding is an educator, community leader, and social entrepreneur. Bolding a first generation college student is an outstanding scholar in both education and justice studies.

After graduating at the top of his class from the University of Cincinnati, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and International Security, Reginald turned down a full-ride law school scholarship to become a Special Education teacher in South Phoenix to teach underserved youth.

Growing up in an underserved neighborhood himself, Bolding understood firsthand the obstacles and barriers faced by youth and families in these communities and wanted to help create change. He started a non-profit to provide students from low-income communities’ access to internships opportunities at top companies in Arizona.

At the age of twenty-eight, Bolding was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives representing downtown Phoenix, South Phoenix, Laveen, Tempe, and the Gila River Indian Community.

During his first term, Bolding was one of the most successful Democrats in the Arizona State Legislature. Representative Bolding introduced bills that would increase access to early child education, create tuition free higher education options, and worked to develop job training programs. Additionally, Bolding led a criminal justice reform agenda introducing bills that require body-worn cameras of law enforcement officers, sentencing reform, and reduced private prison contracts.

Representative Bolding serves on the House Education Committee and the Ways and Means Committee in the State Legislature.

In 2016, Representative Bolding helped launch Veterans Reach to Teach – an initiative to provide veterans an opportunity and pathway to serve as teachers in Arizona classrooms.

Bolding sits on the board of The Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Leading for Change, and The State of Black Arizona.

Representative Bolding and wife Cymone live in the South Mountain/Laveen community.

Richard C. Andrade was born in Winslow, AZ and spent his childhood moving between Arizona, California and New Mexico.

Richard graduated from Gallup High School in Gallup, New Mexico in 1982 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 1990. He was stationed at Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ and was an Aircraft Pneudraulics System Specialist on F-15 aircraft. While serving, he also attended Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership Schools. Richard was also the Assistant NCO in charge of Luke AFB, Honor Guard. Between 1990 and 1994, Richard would work in restaurant management and as a Lab Technician for Allied Signal Aerospace. In 1994, Richard hired out with the former Santa Fe Railroad, now BNSF Railway. In 1995 he was promoted to certified locomotive engineer and continues today to work as an engineer. Richard has been employed with the railroad for 23 years.

While employed at BNSF, Richard became active with the United Transportation Union, now known as Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART). Richard has held several offices in his Lodge 1081, including Vice President, Vice Local Chairman of the Engineman Committee and the Alternate Legislative Representative. These leadership roles helped him learn the importance in becoming active with Legislative issues at the federal and state level. Richard also attended AFL-CIO conventions and participated in Day of Action at the State Capitol. Finally, Richard was active with the On Site Safety Committee, which was established to address safety concerns on the railroad.

Due to a tragic event in Richard and Sally’s life, in 2011, they lobbied the Arizona State Legislature, 50^th Legislature, 1st Regular Session to pass an aggressive dog law also known as Fabian’s Law. Richard’s experience as a Union member and leader were instrumental when it came to lobbying the Arizona State Legislature to pass Fabian’s Law.

Richard was re-elected as a State Representative for Legislative District 29 in 2016. Serving in the military has made him a strong voice for Veterans. Richard sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as a ranking member and the Military, Veterans and Regulatory Affairs Committee as a ranking member.

Richard saw that he could make a difference and believes strongly in protecting working families, worker rights and disappearing middle class families. Richard believes in a strong education system which is much needed in our state and protecting all people rights.

Richard has been married to Sally M. Andrade, a Breast Cancer Survivor, for 28 years. Together they have resided in the West Valley since marriage and have lived in Glendale for 24 years.

Ray grew up in the Marcos De Niza public housing projects and put himself through school, achieving a graduate degree in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Ray is the proud father of three children who grew up in the Granada neighborhood in Legislative District 30. He is actively improving the educational system in Arizona as a founding member of the Arizona Latino School Board Association and a governing board member of the Alhambra Elementary School District.

Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete was born and raised in Arizona to immigrant parents. He currently serves as the Deputy Director of Promise Arizona, a nonprofit community-based organization, where he works to advance policies that strengthen families and increase civic participation.

Tony was raised in West Phoenix in a home built by his late grandfather. He attended the Isaac School District, graduated from Carl Hayden Community High School, and later earned an undergraduate degree in Urban and Metropolitan Studies from Arizona State University.

At an early age, Tony was inspired to think about and promote social justice, including breaking the cycles of poverty through community development at the nonprofit Neighborhood Ministries. Following years of community involvement and working closely with formally adjudicated young adults, he moved to New York to work on housing and jobs issues, an experience he brought back home to Arizona after learning mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, she remains in remission.

Since returning to Arizona, Tony has committed himself to working with leaders throughout the state to become more engaged in the process of public policy decision making, while actively fighting to advance comprehensive immigration reform.

Tony was elected in 2016 to serve Arizona’s 30^th District as State Representative in the 53^rd Legislature. This is his first term in office. He has pledged to champion issues on education, jobs development, and criminal justice reforms.

In his free time, Tony enjoys spending time with his family and childhood friends.