Yolanda Bejarano
Yolanda Bejarano | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party | |
| In office January 28, 2023 – January 18, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Raquel Terán |
| Succeeded by | Robert Branscomb |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1974 or 1975 (age 50–51) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Arizona State University, Tempe |
Yolanda Bejarano (born 1974/1975) is an American labor union organizer who served as the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party from 2023 to 2025. 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] In January 2025, Bejarano unsuccessfully sought reelection to the position, losing to Robert Branscomb.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Garcia, Gilbert (December 25, 1997). "Double Threat". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Yolanda Bejarano elected Arizona Democratic Party chair". Associated Press. January 28, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
- ^ Mutnick, Ally (April 19, 2025). "Arizona Democrats are suddenly engulfed in party chaos". Politico. Retrieved April 20, 2025.