Join AZDW
AZDW is a political action committee that began as a caucus of the Arizona Democratic Party. Its board meets online once a month and the group hosts its annual Women in Blue Day at the State Capitol or nearby at a luncheon, with state leaders as speakers. Dues are $25 per year and members have access to a monthly newsletter. To sign up, click here.
Letter from President Judy Stahl
Persevering in Difficult Times
As I write this, the United States federal government has been shut down for nearly 24 hours. Republicans are in charge of the entire federal government. They have total control of the Congress, both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Yet, somehow, they still want the media to report that Democrats are at fault for this government shut down. Let's just have some straight talk here, a scarce commodity since January 20th of this year.
Republicans have bent the knee to the authoritarian, Donald Trump, and his merry band of unwell, incompetent, corrupt grifters, hypocritical Christian nationalists, and billionaire tech broligarchs. It's a sad state of affairs, but we patriotic Americans who believe in Democracy will not be stopped. AZDW will carry on.
After record-breaking rain spurred deadly floods across the state the day before, our Douglas event on Saturday, September 27th, held at the historic Gadsden Hotel, was an intimate yet powerful and productive affair. Our thanks to April Newman, President of the Democratic Women Of Southeastern Arizona (DWSEA) who showed up and spoke truth. April is a strong, brilliant leader who stepped away from counting ballots for the most recently elected member of the US Congress, Adelita Grijalva, of Arizona’s 7th District, to make the trip to Douglas. (Adelita won in a landslide, but the cowardly, hypocritical Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, sent the Republicans home before she could be sworn in and become the 218th, and deciding, vote to pass the bill that would release the Epstein files).
Renée Montelongo, one of the self-described "spicy Latinas" in attendance said, “I live in rural Arizona, but I’m here because I want to do something. I have two daughters; one is 13 years old. I have a stake in what's going on in this country.” AZDW will ensure that Renée can make the difference that she so passionately wants to make.
Aidan Swallow, a member of the U.S. military and veteran of multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, after nearly twenty years of impeccable service, is now being discharged because she is a trans woman. Aiden is running for Arizona State House in LD 19. Aiden is the epitome of courage and integrity.
We know that every vote counts in our critical swing state. AZDW is proud to have shown up at the border in the far reaches of rural Southeastern Arizona, in Cochise County, to let Democratic women (and all who believe in Democracy) know that they matter, that we are here for them, and that we are all in this together.
State Committee Meeting
In Arizona, we are taking care of business close to home. On September 13th, the Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) State Committee met. A special election was held in which Charlene Fernandez of Yuma was elected our new Chair. Fernandez won on the first ballot with nearly 58% of the vote among a field of five impressively qualified candidates. The next closest candidate received 18% of the vote. Charlene has everything needed to lead our party to great success in 2026. The ADP is unified!
The night before the state committee meeting was the ADP annual Hall of Fame dinner, a lively and glamorous affair filled with the diversity of the Arizona Democratic Party. There were young Dems, Native American Dems, Latino Dems, African American Dems, Asian American Dems, LGBTQ+ Dems and more celebrating our shared commitment to each other, our state, our country, and Democracy.
Governor Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes ignited the crowd with their speeches about Democratic leadership in a state that the convicted felon won in 2024. There were videos from both Senator Ruben Gallego and Senator Mark Kelly. Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix and Tempe Mayor Corey Woods were scintillating as Masters of Ceremonies. AZDW President Judy Stahl wasted no time handing out promotional postcards inviting everyone to attend our local event in Cochise County on September 27th and our 2nd Annual Women for the Future (W4F) luncheon on Saturday, December 6th.
Women for the Future
Newly-elected Chair Fernandez has accepted our invitation and will be one of our honorable speakers at W4F! We’ll mingle on the rooftop of the Cambria Hotel in downtown Phoenix again this year, a fabulous venue with glorious weather expected. The Governor has sent her regrets as she will be hosting Democratic Governors from across the country for their annual holiday party. The Attorney General, who gave our fired up keynote last year (sorely needed at that time), is already committed to be in Washington, D.C. on that date.
We look forward to hearing about the safety and security of our 2026 election from Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (whom President Stahl is hoping she can convince to sing some mariachi to go along with the mouthwatering fresh and delicious taco bar lunch). We are thrilled that Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will be able to attend and share about the progress being made on multiple fronts in her beautiful city, our state capital. We are very excited that Christine Pelosi, NFDW 1st VP, will travel to be with us for our biggest fundraiser of the year to share about NFDW’s direction, momentum, and the power of women in community. We are also happy to that Idaho President Gini Ballou, NFDW Western Regional Director, will be joining us to tantalize our guests with details about NFDW's National Convention in Las Vegas in June, 2026.
Stay connected. Keep the faith.
Judy Stahl
AZDW President
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