User:Symfodium/Charlene Fernandez

Charlene Fernandez Charlene Fernandez "http://charleneforhouse.com/about", Charlene Fernandez for House Biography. Retrieved January 16, 2015. is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Arizona House representing District 4 since January 12, 2015. Fernandez previously served as an aide to former Congressman Ed Pastor as well as Governor Janet Napolitano. After Governor Napolitano resigned to become Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Fernandez was elected Vice-Chairwoman of the Arizona Democratic Party and served as a Super Delegate for then Senator Barack Obama. "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Democratic_Party_superdelegates,_2008", Democratic Party Super Delegates 2008.

Personal Life and Education
Fernandez graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. Fernandez was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, she and her husband Sergio have three adult children.

Elections
Fernandez announced her intention to run for the Arizona State House in the newly apportioned District 4 in 2012. She was defeated by Lisa Otondo and Juan Carlos Escamillia in the Democratic Primary on August 28, 2012 by 173 votes.

In May of 2014, two weeks before the filing deadline Fernandez quickly announced that she would again be a candidate for the Arizona House. A few days later Incumbent Juan Carlos Escamilla announced he would not be running for re-election. Former City Councilman Jose Suarez, a political ally of Escamilla also filed as a candidate having collected signatures before Escamilla announced his intentions.

Fernandez out raised both Suarez and the Incumbent Lisa Otondo and along with Otondo clenched one of the two spots in the Democratic Primary. "http://www.azsos.gov/cfs/CandidateSummarySearch.aspx#&&/wEXBQUMRWxlY3Rpb25ZZWFyBQExBQVQYXJ0eQUBMAUMUmFjZVR5cGVMaXN0BQEwBQ5IaWRlTGVzc0FjdGl2ZQUEVHJ1ZQUGT2ZmaWNlBQEw04Ep70oguplxiTSb1bopfb4TTeM=", Arizona Secretary of State Campaign Finance Database.

Fernandez and Otondo faced Richard Hopkins in the General Election after Hopkins was uncontested in the Republican Primary. On election day Otondo and Hopkins were up slightly over Fernandez while Provisional and "Late-Early" Ballots continued to be counted. A week later Fernandez was declared the winner with her margin in Pinal, Pima, and Yuma Counties being enough to counter Hopkins lead in Maricopa County. "http://www.azsos.gov/election/2014/Info/ElectionInformation.htm" Arizona Secretary of State Election Results.

Committees
Fernandez serves on both the Commerce as well Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. "http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=34&Legislature=52&Session_ID=114" Arizona House of Representative Member Page.