Angela LeFevre

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 6
Phone: (928) 399-0999
Email: aglefevre@esedona.net
Website: www.angelaforarizona.us
Twitter: @Angela4Arizona
410 Oak Creek Blvd, Sedona, AZ 86336.
Name pronunciation: luh-FEE-ver

Age: 63. (08/19/48, Leeds, England).

Arizona since: 2005.

Occupation: Retired, 2011; part-time position as supervisor for Yavapai County Juvenile Probations, 2006-2010; semi-retired in 2005; senior manager, Qwest Communications, 1997-2005.

Marital: Married (Paul, retired).

Children: 2.

Religious preference: Jewish.

Education: B.Sc. (Econ), international relations, London School of Economics and Political Science, 1971.

Political experience: An active community volunteer for years, I have worked with many of our elected officials, including Sedona Mayor Rob Adams. I am currently a member of the Citizens Steering Committee for the Sedona Community Plan and served as a principle organizer of the Coalition for National Scenic Area Designation for the Sedona/Red Rock Area.

Memberships: Catholic Charities; AZ Saves and Kids Save; Sedona Westerners; Sierra Club; Keep Sedona Beautiful.

Interests: Politics; sports, especially tennis; running and hiking; archeology and ancient civilizations; travel; mentoring children.

Political influence: My father. He taught me to stand up for what I thought was right and made it possible for me to be the first in my family to attend university. Although he lived through WWII and suffered personally from the anti-Semitism which abounded at that time, my father was a true believer in the goodness of mankind and taught me to be tolerant of all.

Job creation measures: I will push to improve rural infrastructure, especially roads. Not only will this provide jobs, but it is vital for tourism and the success of local industries. Education is all about jobs – both now and in the future. The former chairman and CEO of Intel said that if he were relocating that business today, he wouldn’t choose Arizona because of its education system. Fast-growing companies are taking their jobs to other states. We need our schools to graduate students with the skills to compete in the high-tech future economy, or we are setting ourselves back for years to come.

Top Issues: Job creation and retention have to be the top priority of every legislator. While job creation in general is important, specifically attracting business and jobs to northern Arizona will benefit the entire state. I would also concentrate on education. Not only is it key to our economy and job creation, but our children are depending on us. We need to reduce class sizes, get more training for teachers and we need to support innovation and greater use of technology in the classroom. We also need to support NAU and the community college system that is so important to rural communities.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I would favor the extension only if there were a way to ensure that the tax would be used only and specifically for public education – including investment in our school buildings. Many folks were extremely upset that the 1% increase was not used for the purposes promised, and that the monies were “swept” into the general fund. We need legislators who understand that tax dollars are not theirs to play with, but should be used exactly as intended by voter-approved ballot measures.

Illegal immigration: Unfortunately we have years of failure to show us what not to do, and it is clear that anything short of comprehensive immigration reform will never succeed. We need to get control of the border with Mexico where violence from drug and human smuggling cartels is escalating, and we need a realistic plan for dealing with the millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. I believe we need to create a pathway to citizenship that includes learning English, paying a fine and becoming a contributing taxpayer.

Background & experience: I have a degree in economics, have run a small business and worked with major corporations. I know what it is going to take to get our economy on track and start creating high-wage jobs in northern Arizona. I am a mother and have raised two children, so I understand the importance of family and good schools. I know the value of civil discourse where people work together, across party lines, in order to advance the state. These are the life experiences and ideas that have shaped me, and I look forward to bringing them to bear as a legislator.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I think the duty of government is maximizing the economic prosperity of the people of the state to provide good health care options, an excellent education, and public safety. I see no role there for the regulation of personal reproduction. It should be left for women to decide what happens to their body, in consultation with their family, doctor, and if appropriate, religious advisor. This is not the function of the state.

One last thing: I love rural Arizona. I want to preserve our unique traditions and quality of life. Too often our elected representatives forget whose interests they are supposed to be protecting. Partisan bickering helps no one. I think government is better, and more accountable, when its business is conducted in full public view without undue influence of special interests. The Fiesta Bowl scandal is only the latest example of the kind of influence-peddling that is undermining the Legislature’s mission. We need stronger lobbyist reforms immediately. That will be among the very first things I push for when I get to the Capitol.

Campaign finance: private.