Charlene Fernandez

Early life and education

Fernandez was born in Yuma, Arizona to the late Antonia "Tony" Ramos and Carmen Ramos. She 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.

Career

Fernandez worked for Congressman Ed Pastor for twelve years, coordinating constituent services for the western portion of then Congressional District 2. While working for Congressman Pastor, Charlene spearheaded an effort that culminated in bringing a Veteran's Administration clinic to Yuma County for the first time in history; previously the Phoenix Veterans facility was the closest place for them to receive these services. Her experience led to her becoming a consultant for a software company that produced a Constituent Management System for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Charlene later served Governor Janet Napolitano as a liaison for the Arizona Department of Environment Quality in Yuma County. In this capacity she worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as its counterpart in the Republic of Mexico, to ensure that the air and water in Southwestern Arizona remained safe while ensuring that businesses faced minimal impact.

Political career

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

In 2008, 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.

In 2012 Fernandez ran for the Arizona State House from the newly drawn 4th Legislative District. Fernandez ultimately lost in the August primary by 140 votes to Juan Carlos Escamilla. Escamilla went on to win the general election.

In May 2014 Fernandez announced her candidacy for the seat again, this time winning the August primary by a comfortable margin of 12.8%. The general election was unexpectedly competitive, Republican Richard Hopkins led Fernandez on election night as the heavily republican portion of the district reported early. The next four days saw the margins go up and down, by the 5th day, with the democratic strongholds in Pima and Yuma counties reporting, Fernandez was declared the victor by 188 votes.

In 2016, Fernandez successfully ran for re-election with newcomer Jesus Rubalcava, they were unopposed in the general election.

Proposition 206 Arizona Minimum Wage

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

2016 Presidential Endorsement

Fernandez was one of the earliest to endorse Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for President, and was elected as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

2016 Election Lawsuit

Fernandez filed a declaration in support of a Plaintiffs' Motion for a preliminary injunction against the impact of HB 2023. The law which criminalizes the activities of citizens seeking to assist those in returning early ballots who otherwise may not is still being litigated in the courts. Fernandez wrote, "The collection and personal delivery of early ballots is particularly crucial among my constituency. In areas like mine that are very rural, many voters lack home mail delivery and can have trouble receiving and mailing their early ballots.” At least one county election official, Helen Purcell, a Republican from mega populated Maricopa County, chose to not enforce the law saying, "We are not the police."

Arizona House Leadership

Fernandez was elected Democratic Whip on November 10, 2016.

Appropriations Committee

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

Tenure

Fernandez is known as a leader on education policy within the state, the Arizona Republic published a guest editorial by her in September 2015 entitled, "How I'd reform private school tax credits." In it Fernandez details the problems with Arizona education funding in general and private school tuition tax credits in particular.

In 2016 Fernandez was name Legislator of Year by the Arizona Parent Teacher Association.

Fernandez has also been an ardent foe to the private prison system in the state supported by Governor Doug Ducey. She has challenged the governor's staff from her seat on the Appropriations Committee to justify the need to provide more prison beds. Arizona Public Media

Endorsements

Arizona Nurse's Association
Arizona Parent Teacher Association
Arizona Auto Dealers Association
Arizona Education Association
Arizona's List
Emily's List
Arizona State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
Planned Parenthood of Arizona
Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers Political Action for Candidate Election
Progressive Majority Fund
Stonewall Democrats of Arizona
Professional Firefighters of Arizona
United Food Commercial Workers
Arizona Pipe Traders 469
Arizona Women's Caucus
AFLCIO
Humane Voters of Arizona
Home Builders Association of Central Arizona
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Arizona National Organization for Women
Arizona Academy of Family Physicians
Arizona Technology Council

Personal life

Fernandez is a highly active member of her community. She serves or has served on the Yuma Community Foundation, Board of the United Way of Yuma County, and Yuma Leadership.

Fernandez and her husband Sergio have three adult children, Brian, Carlye, and Lisa.