Debbie Nez Manuel

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Debbie Nez Manuel

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 4, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Northern Arizona University, 2001

Graduate

Arizona State University, 2003

Personal

Birthplace

Gallup, N.M.

Religion

Tradtional Native American

Profession

Nonprofit

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Debbie Nez Manuel (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Arizona House of Representatives to represent District 26. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 4, 2020.

Nez Manuel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Debbie Nez Manuel was born in Gallup, New Mexico. She obtained a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in 2001 and a master's degree from Arizona State University in 2003. Her professional experience includes founding and working as a board member of the Morning Star Leaders, Inc. She is also a board member for Arizona Humanities and First Things First, Maricopa Regional Council.

Elections

2020

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 (2 seats)

Melody Hernandez and incumbent Athena Salman defeated Seth Sifuentes and Bill Loughrige in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melody Hernandez (D)	34.2	46,266
✔		Athena Salman (D)	33.2	44,981
		Seth Sifuentes (R)	16.5	22,316
		Bill Loughrige (R)	16.1	21,760

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 135,323
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 (2 seats)

Incumbent Athena Salman and Melody Hernandez defeated Debbie Nez Manuel and Patrick Morales in the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Athena Salman	34.2	10,973
✔		Melody Hernandez	26.2	8,399
		Debbie Nez Manuel	24.5	7,866
		Patrick Morales	15.1	4,839

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 32,077
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 (2 seats)

Bill Loughrige and Seth Sifuentes advanced from the Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Loughrige	55.3	6,063
✔		Seth Sifuentes	44.7	4,896

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 10,959
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To view Nez Manuel's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

2018

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Arizona State Senate District 26

Incumbent Juan Mendez defeated Rebecca Speakman in the general election for Arizona State Senate District 26 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Juan Mendez (D)	65.8	32,812
	Submit photo	Rebecca Speakman (R)	34.2	17,086

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 49,898
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 26

Incumbent Juan Mendez defeated Debbie Nez Manuel in the Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 26 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Juan Mendez	53.2	6,660
		Debbie Nez Manuel	46.8	5,853

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,513 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 26

Rebecca Speakman advanced from the Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 26 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Rebecca Speakman	100.0	6,923

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,923 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Debbie Nez Manuel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Nez Manuel's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My ancestral and indigenous roots are from the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona - among sacred mountains, medicinal plants, life-giving river waters, and pristine skies. My lineage stems from a small community known as Klagetoh, and my childhood was shaped by many familial connections throughout the area.

My determination to serve and give back to my community is derived from a network of hard-working people within my community and was instilled in me at a young age. This family network not only included traditional herbalists, ranchers, weavers, mill workers, silversmiths, teachers, and attorneys, but it also included forty-one veterans who served honorably in nearly every branch of the United States military.

I am Tséníjíkiní - a Navajo clan also known as the Cliff Dweller People. I am born for the Tsénahabiłnii, Sleepy Rock People. And I am the maternal grandchild of the Tsi'naajinii, Black Streaked Forest People and the paternal granddaughter to the Tábąąhí, Waters Edge People. As a Navajo, identifying our four clan relationships is the proper way we introduce ourselves to new faces.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• To give a stronger voice to those who have been historically underrepresented in our state policy-making agencies due language or accessibility barriers. My goal is to improve communication, dialogue and representation for all Arizona citizens.
• Its time to ensure we break down barries in communiction, increase diversity, and uphold the values of Arizona.
• I firmly believe strong families make stronger communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I intend to actively and consistently engage fresh perspectives from all communities and groups within Legislative District 26 by effectively pursue legislative policymaking that reflects these voices. My goal is to reinvigorate dialogue that emphasizes equal representation for all communities within the District because I believe that inclusive representation is what reinforces community bonds and makes us stronger together. The policy areas I am passionate about are education, healthcare, affordable housing, homelessness, and the environment.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Three people who have inspired me. The sheer sense of a"missing" mother or the "void" of parent heightened my curiosity at an early age. The connection to women grew after witnessing their courage, resilience, and the light they brought into my life. It's these women who sprinkled the love of my mother throughout my life. A dear colleague in the leadership arena would be Dr. Regis Pecos who instilled a deep understanding of core values and how our values are aligned withing our spirituality and cultural philosophy. A social worker who has proven to be a natural at anything she sets her mind to would be Dr. LuAnn Leonard. Her integrity, character, and authenticity inspired me from the first moment. The thoughtful and gentle nature challenged me to examine the "why." Why should we live consciously while planning for what is ahead? As I live in gratitude along this path, I carry and sprinkle my white corn knowing many have paved the path ahead.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Defining how our grandmother Annie Wauneka balanced her Dine' spiritual way of life while balancing can be found in a short easy to read book, I'll Go and Do More: Annie Wauneka, Leader and Activist.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The willingness to solve problems through innovative and creative solutions.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

In alignment with my platform and qualifications, I believe my talent for research, listening to others, and talking across the aisle with all of my colleagues make me ready for any committee.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Winning the election for Arizona's Democratic National Committee member's seat on Wednesday, January 25, 2020. The nominations for Democratic National Committee Member. Jimmy Arwood (LD 28) nominated Luis Heredia (LD 24); Charlene Fernandez (Yuma) seconded. Janie Hydrick (LD 18) nominated Mark Robert Gordon (LD 28); Janice Eng (LD 23) seconded. Pat Burns (LD 3) nominated Sierra Yamanaka (LD 9); Maya Holliday (LD 3) seconded. Julie Gunnigle (LD 15) nominated Dave Braun (LD 27); Marsha McGovern (LD 21) seconded. Alison Jones (LD 9) nominated Bryan Rasmussen (Yuma); Edgar Melendez (Yuma) seconded. Donna Gratehouse (LD 28) nominated Mark Manoil (LD 28); Susan Breen (Greenlee) seconded. Mary McCord Robinson (Mohave) nominated Jeanne Lunn (LD 15); Jeff Fortney (LD 15) seconded. Gabriela Cazares Kelly (LD 9) nominated Debbie Nez Manuel (LD 26); Marion Chubon (LD 10) seconded.

Candidates were given two minutes to share a platform. "Before I begin, I want to first acknowledge the indigenous people of the area. If you are Cocopah or Quechuan please stand so we may acknowledge your presence." While meeting participants turned left then turned right, my eyes searched the room. While I sensed the discomfort, many had to make sure and began to turn all the way around in their chairs. Still, no one stood. Allowing the moment and silence to sink into our conscious, I added "Now this is why I must run for DNC seat. While we may repeatedly state we are inclusive and no one is here, this is proof we have not done the work, we must do more with the indigenous people of Arizona. We must cultivate the relationships."

The results. Chair Rotellini announced that Debbie Nez Manuel, Luis Heredia, and Mark Robert Gordon had been elected DNC Members based on vote totals as follows: Manuel with 339 votes (277 of 553 required) in the first round, Heredia with 282 votes (278 of 555 required) in the second round, and Gordon with 281 votes (277 of 553 required) in the third round.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

A summer workforce opportunity with Navajo Nation. It started at the end of the school year and wrapped up after 4 weeks. Great experience, my most vivid memory was witnessing the dedication of the staff. They truly cared about the wellbeing of children.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I am a character that has frybread superpowers!

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

On a national scale, Arizona is seen as a place with great business opportunities due to the easy living we have here with our sun-filled environment. When one looks at our investment in education, however, that image of a prosperous state is tarnished. Often, business owners have families themselves. When they get here, they struggle to find a quality school for their children. We can improve our reputation by investing in our K-12 education system. My grandparents always said, "nothing comes for free and if it does (even for businesses) we do it at the expense of others, which side will you be on?" The focus needs to be on the wellbeing of our students and support their education system.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

There are always steps to grow into something meaningful. For now serving my district as a legislature and as an Elect-DNC Committee member are very important opportunities. I look forward to these experiences.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2020 Elections

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External links

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Footnotes

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Current members of the Arizona House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Steve Montenegro

Majority Leader:Michael Carbone

Minority Leader:Oscar De Los Santos

Representatives

District 1

Selina Bliss (R)

Quang Nguyen (R)

District 2

Stephanie Simacek (D)

Justin Wilmeth (R)

District 3

Joseph Chaplik (R)

Alexander Kolodin (R)

District 4

Pamela Carter (R)

Matt Gress (R)

District 5

Sarah Liguori (D)

Aaron Marquez (D)

District 6

Mae Peshlakai (D)

Myron Tsosie (D)

District 7

Walter Blackman (R)

David Marshall (R)

District 8

Janeen Connolly (D)

Brian Garcia (D)

District 9

Lorena Austin (D)

Seth Blattman (D)

District 10

Ralph Heap (R)

Justin Olson (R)

District 11

Junelle Cavero (D)

Oscar De Los Santos (D)

District 12

Patricia Contreras (D)

Anastasia Travers (D)

District 13

Jeff Weninger (R)

Julie Willoughby (R)

District 14

Laurin Hendrix (R)

Khyl Powell (R)

District 15

Neal Carter (R)

Michael Way (R)

District 16

Chris Lopez (R)

Teresa Martinez (R)

District 17

Rachel Keshel (R)

Kevin Volk (D)

District 18

Nancy Gutierrez (D)

Christopher Mathis (D)

District 19

Lupe Diaz (R)

Gail Griffin (R)

District 20

Alma Hernandez (D)

Betty Villegas (D)

District 21

Consuelo Hernandez (D)

Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)

District 22

Lupe Contreras (D)

Elda Luna-Nájera (D)

District 23

Michele Pena (R)

Mariana Sandoval (D)

District 24

Anna Abeytia (D)

Lydia Hernandez (D)

District 25

Michael Carbone (R)

Nick Kupper (R)

District 26

Cesar Aguilar (D)

Quantá Crews (D)

District 27

Lisa Fink (R)

Tony Rivero (R)

District 28

David Livingston (R)

Beverly Pingerelli (R)

District 29

Steve Montenegro (R)

James Taylor (R)

District 30

Leo Biasiucci (R)

John Gillette (R)

Republican Party (33)

Democratic Party (27)