20 Facts About Ed Pastor

Edward Lopez Pastor was an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Arizona from 1991 to 2015.

Ed Pastor was born in Claypool, Arizona, as the oldest of three children.

Ed Pastor became a chemistry teacher at North High School in Phoenix and later went on to work as deputy director of the community service group Guadalupe Organization Inc.

In 1976, Ed Pastor was elected to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and he served three terms in that role as a county executive.

In 1991, Ed Pastor entered a special election to succeed retiring 28-year incumbent Democrat Mo Udall in the 2nd District, which then comprised the southwestern part of Arizona, including half of Tucson and portions of southern Phoenix.

Ed Pastor was the only major candidate from the Phoenix share of the district.

Ed Pastor then won the special election a month later with 55 percent of the vote to become the first Latino to represent Arizona in Congress.

Ed Pastor was reelected six times against nominal Republican opposition.

Ed Pastor was one of the nine Chief Deputy Whips for the Democratic Caucus.

Ed Pastor was well-respected by members of both parties, and had a reputation for bipartisanship.

Ed Pastor was a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, was pro-choice, and in 2006 supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent, according to their records.

Ed Pastor voted against the 2002 Iraq Resolution that started the Iraq War.

In 2011, Ed Pastor voted against the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.

Ed Pastor voted against several bills that would encourage trade between countries such as Panama.

Ed Pastor was supported by the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, which works to protect native wildlife and wild areas.

Around the mid-1990s, Ed Pastor was backed by the Americans for the Arts Action Fund.

In February 2014, Ed Pastor announced that he would not seek reelection and would instead retire upon the completion of his term.

Ed Pastor has been credited with inspiring multiple generations of people dedicated to public service including Arizona State House Democratic Leader Charlene Fernandez.

Ed Pastor was married to Verma Mendez for 53 years and had two daughters, Yvonne and Laura.

Ed Pastor died on November 27,2018 following a heart attack in Phoenix at the age of 75.