30 Facts About Charlene Fernandez

Charlene Fernandez is an American politician who was the Democratic leader of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2019 to 2021.

Charlene Fernandez 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.

Charlene Fernandez resigned on November 15,2021 to take a position at the US Department of Agriculture.

Charlene Fernandez attended Yuma High School where she graduated, and went on to attend Arizona Western College before transferring to Northern Arizona University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education.

Charlene Fernandez worked for Congressman Ed Pastor for twelve years, coordinating constituent services for the western portion of then Congressional District 2.

Charlene Fernandez's experience led to her becoming a consultant for a software company that produced a Constituent Management System for the US House of Representatives.

Charlene Fernandez later served Governor Janet Napolitano as a liaison for the Arizona Department of Environment Quality in Yuma County.

In 2012, Charlene Fernandez ran for the Arizona State House from the newly drawn 4th Legislative District.

In May 2014, Charlene Fernandez announced her candidacy for the seat again.

The next four days saw the margins go up and down, by the fifth day, with the Democratic strongholds in Pima and Yuma counties reporting, Charlene Fernandez was declared the victor by 188 votes.

In 2016, Charlene Fernandez successfully ran for re-election; she was unopposed in the general election.

Charlene Fernandez resigned on November 15,2021 to take a position at the US Department of Agriculture.

In 2008, Charlene Fernandez was elected by the Arizona Democratic State Committee to be First Vice Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, she served in this capacity until 2009.

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

Charlene Fernandez served as the House Democratic Leader, the highest ranking Democratic member, previously having served as the House Democratic Whip.

In 2014, Charlene Fernandez was appointed to the coveted Committee on Appropriations, she serves on the newly created Subcommittee on Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Resources.

Charlene Fernandez has worked with Save Our Schools Arizona, a grassroots organization collecting signatures to refer SB1431, the ESA voucher expansion bill, to the 2018 Arizona ballot, encouraging a "No" vote.

In 2016, Charlene Fernandez was named Legislator of Year by the Arizona Parent Teacher Association.

Charlene Fernandez supports using money from the Volkswagen emissions settlement for clean energy buses.

Charlene Fernandez has argued that children are required to be in and around these buses on a daily basis and utilizing the settlement to help protect them from the harmful emissions would be a just use of the funds.

Charlene Fernandez has been criticized for recognizing students visiting the capitol advocating for such measures.

Charlene Fernandez has been an outspoken advocate of LGBT issues and helped form the Arizona State Legislature's LGBT Caucus.

Charlene Fernandez was a supporter of the successful Proposition 206 which raised Arizona's minimum wage.

Charlene Fernandez called on Senator Jeff Flake to support higher ozone standards.

Charlene Fernandez has opposed the private prison system in Arizona supported by Governor Doug Ducey.

Charlene Fernandez has challenged the governor's staff from her seat on the Appropriations Committee to justify the need to provide more prison beds.

Charlene Fernandez was one of the earliest to endorse Hillary Clinton for United States President.

Charlene Fernandez was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Charlene Fernandez filed a declaration in support of a Plaintiffs' Motion for a preliminary injunction against the impact of HB 2023.

Charlene Fernandez serves or has served on the Yuma Community Foundation, Board of the United Way of Yuma County, and Yuma Leadership.