STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX
–The House
Democrats today announced that Cynthia Aragon is the new Democratic chief of
staff. There are several additional changes to the staff this year.
"We
have a great team going into this upcoming session, and I look forward to what
we can accomplish," House Democratic Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix (District
27), said.
Aragon has been a member of
Democratic staff for eight years and previously worked as the advisor for the
Committee on Federalism and Property Rights, the Committee on Children and
Family Affairs and the Committee on Transportation. She has more than 15 years
of experience in community engagement and empowerment. Aragon earned her
bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and is currently working on her
master's degree from University of Arizona.
"I
am honored and humbled to serve as the House Democratic chief of staff. We are
ready to support a group of thoughtful leaders who will work for the interests
of Arizonans," Aragon said.
Magali Bearden will serve as a
policy advisor. She is a Phoenix native who graduated from Northern Arizona
University. She was an intern for the House Democratic staff during the 2013
legislative session.
Andrew Loucks was promoted to
the position of policy advisor. He holds a bachelor of science degree from
Arizona State University. He began his legislative career in 2015 as an intern
for the House Democratic staff, and he has been on staff part time for around a
year.
Jackie Sandoval also was
promoted and will now serve as the communications and outreach liaison. She had
been the executive staff assistant since 2014, which was the same year she
earned her bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University.
Paulino Valerio joins staff as
a policy advisor. He was an intern for the Senate while attending Arizona State
University in 2012. Valerio was the identification and recruitment coordinator
for the Migrant Education Program at the Arizona Department of Education before
joining the House Democratic staff.
Carmen Velarde has taken on the
role of executive staff assistant. She has worked a total of 18 years at the
Legislature in both the House and Senate chambers. She received her bachelor of
arts degree from Northern Arizona University and will be receiving her
certificate in paralegal studies from Phoenix College.
Following is a full list of
House Democratic staff members and assignments:
Cynthia Aragon
chief of staff
Rhonda Barnes
general counsel and deputy
chief of staff
Committee on
Rules
Committee on
Government
Magali
Bearden
policy advisor
Committee on
Commerce
Committee on
Military, Veterans and Regulatory Affairs
Alan Eder
policy advisor
Committee on
Appropriations
Sub-committee on Appropriations
– Education
Sub-committee on Appropriations
– Health and Welfare
Sub-committee on Appropriations
– Public Safety, Infrastructure and Resources
Brenden Foland
policy advisor and deputy
intern coordinator
Committee on
Education
Committee on Local
and International Affairs
Jennifer Harris
senior policy advisor and
intern coordinator
Committee on
Health
Committee on
Judiciary and Public Safety
C. Murphy Hebert
communications director and
senior advisor
Andrew
Loucks
policy advisor
Committee on
Energy, Environment and Natural Resources
Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure
Jacqueline
Sandoval
communications and outreach
liaison
Jay Tomkus
staff attorney and policy
advisor
Committee on
Federalism, Property Rights and Public Policy
Committee on Land,
Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Paulino
Valerio
policy advisor
Committee on Ways
and Means
Committee on
Banking and Insurance
Carmen
Velarde
executive staff
assistant
-30-
