Yolanda Bejarano (born ) is an American labor

union organizer A union organizer (or union organiser in Commonwealth spelling) is a specific type of trade union member (often elected) or an appointed union official. A majority of unions appoint rather than elect their organizers. In some unions, the orga ...

serving as the chair of the

Arizona Democratic Party The Arizona Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Arizona. Its headquarters are in Phoenix. Party organization The Arizona Democratic Party is organized into three parts: the state committee, the executive ...

since 2023. She was a field director of the Communications Workers of America.

Life

Bejarano was born in and raised in Roll, Arizona. She attended

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public research university in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, ASU is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the ...

where she led the emo-punk quartet, Slugger until it broke up the summer of 1996. She later became the lead singer and guitarist of Chula, a punk and mariachi band. In 1999, Bejarano described Chula as being indie rock with heavy punk influences. Bejarano first entered politics following the passage of

Arizona SB 1070 The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act (introduced as Arizona Senate Bill 1070 and commonly referred to as Arizona SB 1070) is a 2010 legislative Act in the U.S. state of Arizona that was the broadest and strictest a ...

. She was a field director for Communications Workers of America. She served as vice chair of the

. In January 2023, Bejarano was elected with seventy percent of the votes to a two-year term as chair. She defeated

Steve Gallardo Steve Michael Gallardo (born October 25, 1968) is an American politician from the state of Arizona. A member of the Democratic Party, Gallardo serves on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors representing the 5th district. He previously served ...

who had been endorsed by governor Katie Hobbs. Bejarano succeeded

Raquel Terán Raquel Terán is an American politician serving as a member of the Arizona Senate from the 30th district. She previously served in the Arizona House of Representatives. Early life Terán was born in Douglas, Arizona. Her citizenship was challe ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bejarano, Yolanda Arizona Democratic Party chairs Hispanic and Latino American women in politics Women in Arizona politics People from Yuma County, Arizona American women trade unionists Trade unionists from Arizona Hispanic and Latino American people in Arizona politics 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American singers 21st-century American women singers 21st-century American singers American punk rock singers American mariachi musicians Singers from Arizona Arizona State University alumni Communications Workers of America people Spanish-language singers of the United States 20th-century American women guitarists 21st-century American women guitarists Guitarists from Arizona American women punk rock singers 1970s births Living people