Why Am I Running?

Since 2013, I have been honored to work for District 4 as your legislator in both the State House and Senate. I have worked diligently to support public education, bring jobs and economic development to District 4, and focused my efforts on becoming an expert in the areas of water management and best land management practices for our state. I've fought to protect consumers and protect our most vulnerable children. My work at the legislature is far from over, and I would be honored to be re-elected as State Senator for Legislative District 4.

I am a former public school teacher, businesswoman and a native Arizonan with the time, education, experience and dedication to do the job right. Although District 4 is geographically large, I am accessible to my constituents. During the last 4 terms in the Arizona Legislature, I have helped many constituents navigate bureaucratic obstacles, assisted them with letters of support, and provided tours of the Capitol to help them better understand the legislative process. I am active year round to support your interests, not just during the legislative session.

arizona "I am completely dedicated to changing the culture of the Arizona State Legislature.”
Read more about Where I Stand

"I'm a second generation Arizonan. I was born and raised in Yuma. I come from a close-knit farming family with a devotion to education and a history of community service."
Read More About Me

Where I Stand

Arizona's policy leaders need to re-evaluate our priorities and be stewards of the public's tax dollars and trust. The success of our State requires that we meet the needs of the people. We must have accountability and transparency from our state institutions. The interests of our hardworking families need to be put above the desires of the privileged and well connected.

My Priorities

I believe in fiscal discipline, support for innovation and entrepreneurship, and investment in the knowledge and skills of the workforce. Quality public education, economic development and job creation, and water management and best land management practices are my top priorities. I believe we must invest in these areas and we can do so in a fiscally responsible manner that still meets budgetary constraints.

Attracting Quality Jobs and Economic Development

By recognizing and investing in Arizona's critical needs, especially in education and infrastructure, we can secure our long term growth and success. We must support our public schools, world class university research programs, and worker training programs in order to attract higher paying wages. I will continue to focus on bringing jobs to rural Arizona and diversifying our economy.

I believe in fiscal discipline, support for innovation and entrepreneurship, and investment in the knowledge and skills of the workforce.
Attracting capital investment and bringing jobs to our state and District #4 is one of my legislative priorities.
I believe we should fund job training and create incentives to attract high tech and good paying jobs to our state.
I believe in building a stronger coalition between workers, environmentalists, and business people, and I will support legislation aimed at creating more green jobs in our state.

Fighting For Education

As a former public school teacher, I know firsthand that many of our critical education needs are unmet. Since the recession, the Arizona State Legislature has cut over 4 billion dollars from our public schools and the results have been devastating. Even with the increase in funding for public education during the last session, school districts are still struggling. I am a strong supporter of the Red for Ed movement. Fifty-nine school districts did not receive the promised funding. Our state needs to do more! There is still a mass exodus from the teaching profession, as our teachers are receiving some of the lowest salaries in the nation.

I believe in:

Adequate and sustainable funding for public education and getting more dollars into the classroom. It is imperative for our future and our economy!
A public education system that attracts and retains high quality teachers. Teachers and staff deserve better pay.
Keeping dollars in the classroom.
Reducing class sizes.
Investing in JTED, CTE and STEM programs which prepare our students for jobs. These programs bring businesses to Arizona by creating an educated and skilled workforce.
Making college affordable for every Arizona family.

Investing in Best Land Management Projects and Water Management

During my time at the legislature, I have also focused my efforts and attention on Arizona's critical water issues, the need for watershed management and the devastating forest fires which have cost lives and property. In 2015, I completed the year-long Agri-Business and Water Council/ ASU Water Management Certificate Program. I was appointed by the Governor to participate in the Governor Water Augmentation Council, Drought Contingency Plan Steering Committee, the Governors Water Augmentation Innovation and Conservation Council (GWAICC) and continue to participate in the Kyle Centers Leader Roundtable. I believe it is imperative that we invest in watershed management, water infrastructure, support water conservation efforts and best land management practices to ensure Arizona's water security and proud reputation as good stewards of water. In June of 2019, I was humbled to have received Special Honorary Recognition for my work on the Drought Contingency Plan from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.

Biography

I'm a second generation Arizonan. I was born and raised in Yuma. I come from a close-knit farming family with a devotion to education and a history of community service.

State Senate District 4 - 2019-2020

Minority Whip for Democratic Leadership
Ranking Member of Agriculture and Water Committee
Member of Appropriations Committee
Member of Transportation and Public Safety
Governor's Water Augmentation Council
Arizona Drought Contingency Plan Steering Committee, Governor Appointed Member
Governors Water Augmentation Innovation and Conservation Council (GWAICC), Governor Appointed Member
GWAICC Non-AMA Groundwater Committee
GWAICC Long-term WAter Augmentation Committee
GWAICC Desalinization Committee
GWAICC Post 2025 AMAs Committee
Organizer of Waterwise Arizona at the Capital; Legislative information presentations concerning critical water issues in Arizona
Kyle Center Leaders Roundtable Member
Rural Caucus
Latino Caucus
Native American CAucus

State Senate District 4 - 2017-2018

Ranking Member of Transportation and Technology Committee
Member of Natural Resources, Water and Land Committee
Organizer of WaterWise Arizona at the Capitol
Kyle Center Leaders Roundtable Member
Rural Caucus
Latino Caucus
Native American Caucus

State Representative District 4 - 2015-2016

Ranking Member of Education Committee
Member of Agriculture, Water and Land Committee
Member of Insurance Committee
Kyle Center Leaders Roundtable Member
AgriBusiness and Water Council/ ASU Water Management Certificate Program
Latino Caucus
Native American Caucus

State Representative District 4 - 2013/2014

Ranking Member Technology and Infrastructure Committee
Member of Education Committee
Democratic Caucus Rural Liaison
Latino Caucus
Diabetes Caucus
Native American Caucus

Educational Experience:

Master's Degree in International Public Administration from Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA.
Bachelor's Degree in International Policy Studies from Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA.
L'Universite' Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, Maine et Loire, France
La Universidad Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
Lived in five countries on four continents and speak five languages:
English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Chinese.

Professional Experience:

Real Estate Agent
Language Arts Teacher, Crane School District
International Flight Attendant and Instructor of Cross-Cultural Communications at American Airlines.
Partner in an import/export business selling refurbished medical equipment to Third World countries.
International Affairs Specialist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Department of Commerce, organizing international conferences and R&D programs relating to weather, environmental and oceanographic issues.
English professor at the Guilin Geology Institute in China PRC.

Organizations and Volunteer Work History:

PSA Board Member
ADLCC Board Member
DCP Steering Committee
Kyl Roundtable Member
National Association of Realtors
Yuma Association of Realtors
Democratic precinct chairperson
Rotary Club charter member
APFA union member
Organized and implemented a non-profit English language program for refugees in the Washington, DC area.
Volunteer translator for humanitarian work along the northern border of Mexico.