Every board member brings a unique perspective to Arizona List. Longtime Arizona leader and board member Luis Alberto Heredia shares how decades of public service, organizing, and civic engagement have shaped his approach to building trust, strengthening participation, and supporting the next generation of women leaders.
Luis Alberto Heredia is a longtime Arizona leader in public service, politics, labor, and education. A native of Somerton, he currently serves as State Director for U.S. Senator Mark Kelly and has previously led the Arizona Democratic Party and Arizona Education Association. He has spent his career organizing, managing campaigns, and expanding civic participation across Arizona.
You’ve worked in Arizona politics in so many different roles. What have those experiences taught you about the importance of participating in local and statewide elections?
There are no shortcuts to organizing. You start by building relational power by meeting people who share your purpose and, sometimes, your frustration or anger about what needs to change.
That requires investing the time and energy to understand why people are willing to contribute their time, talent, and treasure to improve the lives of others. And the most important skill in that work is listening.
You have to be willing to listen to the Abuelita who answers the door on a Sunday evening while you’re canvassing, just as carefully as you listen when you sit down with the Mayor of Phoenix. In both conversations, the goal is the same: understand what matters to people, identify your shared interests, and build trust around a common purpose.
That lesson has shaped how I think about elections and civic engagement. Participation is not something you turn on a few weeks before Election Day. It is built over time through relationships and trust.
Election safety and integrity continue to be major topics of conversation. What do you think Arizona voters should know about how our elections are administered and the safeguards in place to protect their votes?
It is important that voters trust our election officials, but that trust must be supported by transparency, accountability, and public engagement.
Arizona elections are administered by our counties under state law and federal protections. What many voters may not realize is that political-party observers monitor important parts of the election process, and post-election hand-count audits help verify that ballots were counted accurately.
Voters also have an important role. If you are denied the opportunity to vote, encounter intimidation, or see a barrier to the ballot, report it immediately and document what happened. If you encounter an issue or want to report an incident, contact the Arizona Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-833-VOTE-4-AZ (833-868-3429).
You can also visit IWillVote.com to find voting locations and ballot drop boxes, check important deadlines, and get other information about voting in Arizona.
With Election Day approaching, what would you say to voters who may feel overwhelmed, uncertain about the process, or unsure whether their vote really makes a difference?
Even the most seasoned political operative has questions about elections, ballot propositions, judges, and local boards. It is important to reach out to your Democratic legislative district, county party, or a community organization you trust for guidance.
There are also reliable resources available to help voters understand what is on their ballot, where and how to vote, and important election deadlines. The key is to use trusted sources, ask questions, and make a plan before casting your ballot. Here are some great resources:
- Arizona List 2026 Voter Guide – Find Arizona List-endorsed candidates and our recommendations on ballot propositions.
- Civic Engagement Beyond Voting (CEBV) – Find information and resources on races including judges and Justice of the Peace.
- League of Women Voters – Nonpartisan voter information and election resources.
- Arizona Secretary of State – Check your voter registration, find voting locations, and get official election information.
As an Arizona List board member, what gives you hope as you look toward November and the future of women’s political leadership in Arizona.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work for, manage campaigns for and work alongside extraordinary women leaders and I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we intentionally create opportunities for talented women to step forward and lead.
Arizona List has now trained more than 1,500 women and participated in hundreds of elections across the state. This is bigger than any one election cycle. We are building an infrastructure and a generation of leaders. I also will continue to advocate on the board and to candidates to invest in Arizona List, share your campaign emails, attend events, and contribute because Arizona’s future is dependent on a strong Arizona List.