Senate Candidates

A native of Arizona, Sarah was born in Laveen and raised in Maryvale. After college, her work in the non-profit sector allowed her to work with legislators in Tennessee and Utah providing knowledge, testifying in committee hearings and writing bills to help provide safety and security for constituents. It also allowed her to work together, with other, vulnerable and systemically oppressed populations. She is a firm believer in justice for all and not just some. Sarah believes not just in equality, but in equity and that together, as a community, everyone can succeed.

Victoria Steele was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2012 and was elected to the Arizona Senate in 2018. She has worked tirelessly on legislation focused on the Equal Rights Amendment, indigenous rights, and protections for our most vulnerable populations.

JoAnna Mendoza was born and raised in Pinal County, Arizona. She is running on a platform dedicated to the needs of District 11 residents. They deserve to have elected representatives who listen, understand the needs of different communities, and advocate for them at the Capitol. As a State Senator, JoAnna will fight for quality public education; improved water conservation and other environmental sustainability policies; improving access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas; and ensuring that our veterans, military service members, and their families have the resources they need to be successful. 

Lisa Otondo was elected to the Senate in 2016 after serving two terms in the House of Representatives. As a second-generation Arizonan born and raised in Yuma, she comes from a large Basque family with deep farming roots. This upbringing has given her a keen awareness of the issues and challenges facing farming and rural communities.

A fourth generation Arizonan, Rebecca served in the Arizona Legislature from 1995 to 2010 where she was chosen to serve as Democratic Whip and Assistant Democratic Leader.  Elected In 2014. from her new home in LD 27, Rebecca was again selected to serve as Minority Whip. She Is a fighter for better education and healthcare and an outspoken advocate on issues of equality and justice for Arizona’s Citizens.

Christine Marsh is a Phoenician and graduate of Arizona public schools. After attending UCLA on a track scholarship, she made the decision to come back home to Phoenix, where she raised her two sons and foster children and taught English for 27 years.  After 23 years in the classroom, Christine was honored to be named Arizona’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. Through that experience, she traveled the state to see first-hand the issues that public schools face. While her experiences as a mother, teacher, and foster mother helped her to decide to run.  Her key issue is creating a more balanced Senate in order to allow good ideas from both sides of the aisle to have a fair hearing, with public input, and that will benefit all Arizonans.

Lynsey Robinson was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She believes that immigrants are part of the fabric of America. As a former DREAMer, teacher and attorney ,she believes that education is essential for our children to fulfill their full potential and for America to remain competitive in the world. Lynsey believes that we are living in unprecedented times. COVID-19 has placed a spotlight on the areas that we need our leaders to address right away and as we come out of this pandemic we have to be prepared to meet the challenges that will emerge.

Lela was first elected to the Arizona Senate in 1976, serving on the Appropriations Committee for 18-years. After being encouraged by the community, Lela ran for the Arizona House of Representatives in 2010 and, after serving 8-years in the House, was returned to the State Senate in 2018. She has been a member of the PUHSD Governing Board since 2008. Her fierce advocacy has made her one of Arizona’s most respected voices for public education.

Kirsten Engel was first elected in 2016 and is currently serving her second term in the Arizona House.  As a law professor and a mom, Kirsten ran for office to fight for public, career/technical, and higher education funding as well as to bring her expertise in environmental & administrative law to the legislature.  As a Representative, she has expanded her work to include a presence in the Criminal Justice Reform Committee as Ranking Democrat of the Judiciary Committee.

Felicia is a third generation Arizonian, with a proven commitment to public service. She served 32 years in the U.S. Army and Arizona National Guard, rising from Private to Colonel. She is a strong advocate for military and Veteran’s Affairs, affordable healthcare for all, improving our education system starting with early-childhood, and the creation of more sustainable jobs. 

Rosanna Gabaldón is a dedicated public servant and an experienced legislator. Her legislative priorities include water sustainability, public education, and economic development. She believes that our best days are ahead of us, and that it’s going to take cooperative leadership to stand up and make it happen. She has worked diligently on issues pertaining to the environment, notably the Drought Contingency Plan, education, and infrastructure.