Democratic Candidates for Attorney General, Secretary of State & Corporation Commission

Saturday, January 8, 2022
10:00am to 11:30am
Click this Zoom link to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81605953920?pwd=dW1acHRORGQ4YnJBUkFtYXBPSWhCUT09

The January meeting of the Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club features the Democratic candidates for Attorney General, Secretary of State and Arizona Corporation Commission. Please note the time extension to 11:30am.

Share the information with family and friends. The 2022 elections are on the horizon and we want voters to be informed and engaged.

Candidates for Attorney General

Kris Mayes was born and raised on a tree farm in Prescott, Kris attended public schools with her brother and sister. Her parents worked as a pharmacist and a teacher, taking care of the farm on nights and weekends.

Kris studied political science and journalism at Arizona State University. She performed her college internship at South Africa’s Johannesburg Star, where she covered the fall of apartheid in 1993. After she graduated from ASU, Kris joined the Phoenix Gazette and the Arizona Republic as a working beat reporter.

She earned her law degree at ASU and a Master’s of Public Administration from Columbia University in New York.

Since 2010, Kris has worked as a senior sustainability scientist at ASU’s School of Global Sustainability and teaches a course on energy law for the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Kris lives in Phoenix with her daughter Hattie.

Bob McWhirter has always believed in the power of the law to protect our rights and serve justice. For over 30 years, Bob has done exactly that as a nationally recognized Constitutional scholar, a highly successful defense attorney, and an award-winning author and expert on immigration law and the Bill of Rights. Bob has dedicated his life to strengthening democracy and ensuring the law is applied fairly, regardless of someone’s politics or zip code.

Bob has been on the frontlines – standing up for justice, taking on extremist bullies like Andrew Thomas and Joe Arpaio who tormented our communities of color. He has stood up to Donald Trump and his allies trying to exploit our judicial system and overturn elections just because they didn’t like the outcome.

Diego Rodriquez’s story starts with six brothers and sisters in a trailer in Wyoming. After he graduated from the University of Notre Dame, Diego came to Arizona for law school where he has spent his entire career fighting for people facing economic hardship, racism, and unfair obstacles to getting a fair opportunity to build a life and to thrive in this great state.Diego has worked as a prosecutor, defense attorney, civil attorney, and a state legislator right here in Arizona. I know the biggest challenges facing Arizonans — like access to health care, fair wages, and equal opportunities — and I’ll fight like hell to make sure every Arizonans’ voice is heard.

He has worked inside and outside the system to stand up for the poor, for people of color, and for vulnerable neighborhoods desperate to end the violence threatening their kids.

Candidates for Secretary of State

Reginald Bolding, inspired by his mom, became a first generation college graduate, Special Education math teacher, civic engagement champion and now the Democratic Leader in the Arizona House of Representatives.

Reginald has dedicated his time in the state legislature to building diverse, non-partisan and bipartisan coalitions to fight for Arizona residents who are too often overlooked. Bolding led the advocacy charge and fought against egregious voter suppression legislation. He’s also spearheaded efforts to help police better serve and protect all Arizonans while being held accountable.

President Barack Obama inspired Reginald to get involved in politics and service, becoming an organizer during the Obama campaign. His commitment to service continued with becoming a Special Education math teacher in one of Arizona’s most underserved neighborhoods. Bolding understands firsthand the obstacles and barriers faced by youth and families in these communities.

Adrian Fontes is a former Marine, father of three daughters, an attorney, and a former elections administrator.

Adrian has spent his whole career fighting for justice and democracy.

Public service is in Adrian’s DNA. Growing up in the border town of Nogales, he was surrounded by exemplary role models. Adrian’s Grandfather, Florentino ‘Tino’ Fontes, became a US Citizen after serving in WWII. Inspired by his grandfather’s service, Adrian enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he was on active duty from 1992 to 1996, earning a nomination for a meritorious commission. Serving his country taught him the importance of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice to fight for the American dream. Adrian returned to receive his Bachelor’s degree from ASU before continuing to the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver.In 2016, after witnessing shameful voter suppression tactics, 6-hour lines at the polls, and Adrian decided to run for Maricopa County Recorder.

Adrian won, becoming the first Democrat to hold the Recorder’s office in 50 years and the first-ever Latino to hold an office in Arizona’s largest county.

Candidates for Corporation Commission

Jonathon Hill was born in Kingman and raised in Phoenix. He has lived, studied and worked in Tempe since 2000.

Passionate about space exploration since childhood, Jonathon earned degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Geological Sciences and Russian from ASU, culminating in the defense of his PhD in Spring 2022, which focuses on studying salt deposits on Mars left over from a period when Mars was more similar to the Earth.For the past 15 years, Jonathon has worked as an engineer and scientist at the ASU Mars Space Flight Facility, operating ASU’s camera on NASA’s Odyssey spacecraft and ASU’s instruments on the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. He has also provided engineering and scientific support to the University of Arizona’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission and NASA’s Clipper mission, which will explore Jupiter’s frozen ocean moon Europa.After completing his PhD, Jonathon looks forward to using his unique combination of engineering and science skills to address more pressing issues on his favorite planet… Earth.

Sandra Kennedy started her public service when she was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in November 1986, where she served for six years. During her tenure as a House member, she co-authored and introduced with fellow member Patty Nolan Arizona’s first Domestic Violence Bill. She found that working across the aisle, many issues could be accomplished with bi-partisan support and the people of Arizona would benefit greatly. In 1992, she ran successfully for a seat to represent her District in the Arizona State Senate, where she served for three terms. Sandra has always been a strong voice to those she represents, never shy about being outspoken. Some of her accomplishments include: sponsoring legislation that was signed into law regarding Domestic Violence Shelters, Foster Care Placement, Pre-Natal Care Education Fund, and City Powers regarding Fair Housing. Concurrent with her stint in the legislature, Sandra was elected to serve on the Phoenix Union High School Governing Board for a four-year term in 1990.

Sandra was first elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2008 on a platform of promoting solar energy in Arizona, and as a fierce consumer advocate. She is the first and only African American in Arizona to hold statewide office and the first statewide elected official, west of the Mississippi.

Lauren Kuby is a two-term councilmember and former vice mayor of Tempe. She has spent her career standing up to special interests and fighting for consumer, environmental, and worker protections in Arizona. She is a sustainability scientist at Arizona State University and a recognized national champion for climate action and clean energy.

As a council member, Lauren spearheaded a Tempe ballot initiative to drive dark money out of politics, and created the Tempe Sustainability Commission, which empowers residents to have a say in their city’s climate policy.

She also championed the creation of the Tempe Family Justice Commission to promote access to just, safe avenues of care for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. As a result of her work with community members, Tempe leads the state in climate action-planning and bold, empathetic justice for families and people of all genders.

Lauren has a master’s degree in public history from ASU and a BA from the University of Chicago, where she met her husband Mike, an ASU geographer. Together they raise six dogs and two daughters in Tempe.

The Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club presents speakers of interest to Democratic voters on the second Saturday of every month.

To join the Tanque Verde Valley Democratic Club please email your name, address, telephone number and email address to Beth Isabelle (bethisabelle@gmail.com)