Charlene Fernandez

Charlene Fernandez
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 4th district
Assumed office
January 12, 2015
Preceded by Juan Carlos Escamila
Personal details
Born Charlene Elise Ramos
(1955-02-24) February 24, 1955[1]
Yuma, Arizona, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Sergio Fernandez
Children Brian, Carlye, and Lisa
Residence Yuma, Arizona
Alma mater Northern Arizona University
Profession Educator
Religion Roman Catholic
Website charleneforarizona.com

Charlene Fernandez (born Charlene Elise Ramos) is a Democratic politician and educator who serves in the Arizona House of Representatives from the 4th Legislative District. She was first elected to the state House in 2014 and represents Southwestern Arizona, specifically, the majority of Yuma County, western Pima County, southwestern Maricopa County and southwestern Pinal County.

Early life and education

Fernandez was born in Yuma, Arizona to the late Antonia "Tony" Ramos and Carmen Ramos. She attended Yuma High School where she graduated in 1973, and went on to attend Arizona Western College before transferring to Northern Arizona University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Career

Fernandez 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. Her experience led to her becoming a consultant for a software company that produced a Constituent Management System for the U.S. House of Representatives.[2]

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.[3]

Political career

Fernandez was elected to the Yuma Union High School District Governing Board, serving as both President and Vice President.[4]

After serving two full terms on the school board, Fernandez announced her candidacy in 2012 for the Arizona State House from the newly drawn 4th Legislative District, which encompasses the cities and towns of Yuma, Tucson, San Luis, Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, Somerton, Gadsden, Ajo, Gila Bend, Sells, Theba, Palo Verde, Arlington, Mobile, Childs, Why, Lukeville, Pisenemo, San Rafael, Topawa San Miguel, Three Points, Kaka, Ventana, Anegam, Santa Rosa, Tat Momoli, Chuichu – many within the Tohono O'odham Nation. The district also includes the reservation of the federally recognized Cocopah Indian Tribe.

Fernandez carried three of the four counties in the district, ultimately losing in the August primary by 140 votes to Juan Carlos Escamilla. Escamilla went on to win the general election.[5]

In May 2014 Fernandez announced her candidacy for the seat again, this time winning the August primary by a comfortable margin of 12.8%.[6] The general election was unexpectedly competitive, Republican Richard Hopkins led Fernandez on election night as the heavily republican portion of the district reported early. The next four days saw the margins go up and down, by the 5th day, with the democratic strongholds in Pima and Yuma counties reporting, Fernandez was declared the victor by 188 votes.[7]

Arizona House of Representatives

Fernandez was sworn in as a member of the 52nd Legislature on January 12, 2015.[8]

Fernandez was initially appointed by Speaker of the House David Gowan to the Committee on Commerce as well the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In January 2016 Speaker Gowan announced Fernandez would be replacing resigning member Andrew Sherwood on the coveted Committee on Appropriations. Also in the same month Representative Victoria Steele announced her resignation to run for congress against Representative Martha McSally. Steele's retirement made Fernandez the Ranking Democrat on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.[9]

Committee assignments

Tenure

Fernandez is known as a leader on education policy within the state, the Arizona Republic published a guest editorial by her in September 2015 entitled, "How I'd reform private school tax credits." In it Fernandez details the problems with Arizona education funding in general and private school tuition tax credits in particular.

Fernandez has also been an ardent foe to the private prison system in the state supported by Governor Doug Ducey. She has challenged the governor's staff from her seat on the Appropriations Committee to justify the need to provide more prison beds. Arizona Public Media

Personal life

Fernandez is a highly active member of her community. She serves or has served on the Yuma Community Foundation, Board of the United Way of Yuma County, and Yuma Leadership.

Fernandez and her husband Sergio have three adult children, Brian, Carlye, and Lisa.

References

  1. ↑ 2012 Phoenix Arizona Election Questionnaire for State Legislature, Charlene Fernandez, AZ Central]
  2. ↑ Fernandez, Charlene. "State Representative". Arizona State House Member Page. Arizona State House of Representatives. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  3. ↑ Shultz, T.M. "Yuma Daily Sun". Yuma Daily Sun. Freedom News. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  4. ↑ Stallworth, Robyn. "Yuma County Recorder". Yuma County Recorder Election Results. Yuma County Recorder. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  5. ↑ Reagan, Michelle. "Arizona Secretary of State" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  6. ↑ Reagan, Michelle. "Arizona Secretary of State" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State Election Results. Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Reagan, Michelle. "Arizona Secretary of State" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State Election Results. Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  8. ↑ http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=34&Legislature=52&Session_ID=115
  9. 1 2 Gowan, David. "Speaker of the House". Arizona House of Representatives. Arizona House of Representatives. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
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