Yolanda Bejarano

Yolanda Bejarano
Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 28, 2023
Preceded byRaquel Terán
Personal details
Born1974 or 1975 (age 49–50)
Political partyDemocratic
EducationArizona State University, Tempe

Yolanda Bejarano (born 1974/1975) is an American labor union organizer serving as the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party since 2023. She was a field director of the Communications Workers of America.

Life

Bejarano was born in 1974 or 1975 and raised in Roll, Arizona.[1][2] She attended Arizona State University where she led the emo-punk quartet, Slugger until it broke up the summer of 1996.[1] She later became the lead singer and guitarist of Chula, a punk and mariachi band.[1] In 1999, Bejarano described Chula as being indie rock with heavy punk influences.[3]

Bejarano first entered politics following the passage of Arizona SB 1070.[2] She was a field director for Communications Workers of America.[4] She served as vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.[2] In January 2023, Bejarano was elected with seventy percent of the votes to a two-year term as chair.[2] She defeated Steve Gallardo who had been endorsed by governor Katie Hobbs.[2] Bejarano succeeded Raquel Terán.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Garcia, Gilbert (December 25, 1997). "Double Threat". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Barchenger, Stacey (January 29, 2023). "Arizona Democrats elect Bejarano as party chair". Arizona Republic. pp. A11. Retrieved November 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Cano-Murillo, Kathy (April 15, 1999). "Cute like a knife: Chula hones punk spunk". Arizona Republic. p. 300. Retrieved November 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Yolanda Bejarano elected Arizona Democratic Party chair". Associated Press. January 28, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party
2023–present 		Incumbent