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Deborah Begay
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Deborah Begay (Democratic Party) was a judge for Moon Valley Precinct of the Maricopa County Justice Court in Arizona. Begay assumed office on January 1, 2021. Begay left office on January 1, 2025.
Begay (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for the Moon Valley Precinct judge of the Maricopa County Justice Court in Arizona. Begay lost in the Democratic primary on July 30, 2024.
Begay completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Begay was born in Gallup, New Mexico. She earned a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and a law degree from ASU’s Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law. Her career experience includes working as a justice of the peace, tribal policy specialist, software project manager, director, consulting owner, and author. She serves in the United States Naval Reserves.[1]
Begay has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Emerge Class of 2016
- Udall
- Flinn-Brown Network
- Indigenous Leadership Academy
- Native American Humane Society
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Maricopa County, Arizona (2024)
General election
General election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct
Mireya Arroyo defeated Michael Irish in the general election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mireya Arroyo (D)  | 54.7 | 19,620 |
 | Michael Irish (R) | 45.1 | 16,178 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 55 | ||
| Total votes: 35,853 | |||
| = 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 Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct
Mireya Arroyo defeated incumbent Deborah Begay in the Democratic primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on July 30, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mireya Arroyo | 57.2 | 3,645 |
 | Deborah Begay | 42.6 | 2,716 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 16 | ||
| Total votes: 6,377 | |||
| = 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 Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct
Michael Irish advanced from the Republican primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on July 30, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Irish | 99.0 | 5,647 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 57 | ||
| Total votes: 5,704 | |||
| = 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
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Begay in this election.
2020
See also: Municipal elections in Maricopa County, Arizona (2020)
General election
General election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct
Deborah Begay defeated Michael Irish in the general election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Deborah Begay (D) | 54.0 | 24,395 |
| Michael Irish (R) | 45.9 | 20,747 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 66 | ||
| Total votes: 45,208 | |||
| = 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 Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct
Deborah Begay defeated incumbent Andrew Hettinger in the Democratic primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Deborah Begay | 71.0 | 6,969 |
| Andrew Hettinger | 29.0 | 2,841 | ||
| Total votes: 9,810 | |||
| = 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 Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct
Michael Irish defeated Kimberly Kay Fisher and Josh Culling in the Republican primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Irish | 50.5 | 4,212 |
 | Kimberly Kay Fisher | 25.2 | 2,101 | |
| Josh Culling | 24.3 | 2,029 | ||
| Total votes: 8,342 | |||
| = 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
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Deborah Begay completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Begay's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am the incumbent for Moon Valley Justice of the Peace. I was the first elected Native American to the Maricopa Justice Courts. I am an 18 year Veteran of the United States Navy Reserves. I graduate from UC Berkeley with a BA in American Indian History. I have a JD from ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law with an emphasis in Federal Indian Law. I co-edited the Navajo Peacemaking Manual. I am a community builder with membership in several diverse communities. I am a public speaker who advocates for LGBTQ2S+ issues, tribal sovereignty,
- Effective justice is adaptable and personal, responding to the needs of the individuals as well as to the community as a whole.
- The perspectives of women and of people of color are too uncommon at virtually all levels of our government. I bring a fresh view to the table.
- I believe in justice as a balm to heal both parties in a conflict. Healing completes the circle and allows communities to thrive.
Bringing a permanent solution for people who lose their housing. Reducing fines by allowing community service.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I am drawn to her dedication to know the rule of law and administer it to the best of her ability. Thomas Merton. His quiet introspective life juxtaposed with his elite education. He was a writer on social justice, pacifism and contemplation. He was an outspoken activist on peace and civil rights. He was against war and racism.
So We & Our Children May Live by Sarah Augustine & Sheri Hostetler. A Theory of Justice by John Rawls. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
Integrity is important because trust is based on it. Acting honestly and ethically in all dealings, avoiding corruption, and upholding public trust. Transparency. Making decisions openly and allowing access to information so the public can hold officials accountable. Being able to answer to the electorate for actions and decisions, and taking responsibility for outcomes. Fair and Just in all dealings. Respect for diversity. Promoting inclusivity. Competence. Knowledge on how to do the job effectively. Manage resources wisely. Collaborate and work well with others. Ability to set clear goals. Provide strategic leadership. Have vision.
I am very approachable. I have a heart for people. I care very much about inclusivity. I am fair minded, very educated, and reasonable. I have a strong work ethic. I am a good manager and like to reward my staff often. I believe in team ethics, we're better as a team than as individuals in a working environment. I am honest. I am humble.
Administering Oaths and Affirmations required for affidavits and legal matters. Mediating disputes. Issuing warrants. Witnessing documents. Hearing minor legal disputes such as traffic offenses, misdemeanors, and small claims. Handling bail applications, arraignments, and preliminary hearings. Hearing and ruling on evictions. Performing marriages.
As the first Native American elected to the Maricopa Justice Courts, I would like my community to remember it was their vote and their belief in me that allowed me to be a role model to so many young Native American youth who are looking up to me and thinking they want to be a judge someday.
The assassination attempt on President Reagan's life. I was in gym class in the 7th grade. Everything stopped. I remember thinking how weird it was for a guy to try to kill the President because he liked a girl. That never made sense to me. The outcome of it all is what planted the seed in me for wanting to practice law.
Burger King. I had it for about two years. I liked learning the responsibility of work for pay. The independence of it.
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. The main character has a twin brother who has schizophrenia. The themes are family, mental illness, and personal redemption. I'm a sucker for personal redemption. The book explores the impact of schizophrenia on both the individual and their family. You get to experience the complex relationships between the family members and how they cope with shared struggles. It makes you confront your own ideas about self-identity, forgiveness and the process of healing from trauma.
Stomp by Kirk Franklin.
Not getting enough sleep. I love to sleep. I am raising three children under 13 single-handedly, we have three dogs, I work full time, I write in my spare time and sleep seems to get the back seat to everything.
I believe in individual rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion and privacy. I believe in the Rule of Law. Laws should govern a nation, as opposed to arbitrary decisions. Equality before the law, all individuals have equal protection and are treated without discrimination. A focus on procedural and substantive justice to ensure that laws are fair, just and applied impartially. Democratic governance. Separation of Powers within the government. Property rights. The legitimacy of laws and government are derived from the consent of the governed.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As a young lawyer she was already concerned about allowing others to join her, she wasn't interested in being a Lone Ranger or being seen as the winner. Although she did like to win. She fought for the things that we all care about. But she did it in a way that led others to join her. That's what I hope to emulate.
The Justices are the only Judge that most of the community will ever see. Traffic fines, DUIs, and evictions are all handled by Justices of the Peace. I believe this is a perfect opportunity to help community members rather than penalize them and get them more off life's track.
Yes, I do. Experience in government allows for a deeper understanding of the law, the workings of the legal system, and the broader political and social context. Running for public office allows a judge to understand community needs and what kind of policy decisions might need to be made.
Access to justice. The majority of defendants who come into my court who are in the process of being evicted are not legally represented. This often leads to inequality because the defendants have no idea how to navigate the legal system. I think this goes hand in hand with bias and discrimination. Implicit and explicit biases affect the marginalized and low-income groups on a daily basis. Black defendants get a different welcome from the courts than white defendants.
The pandemic allowed me to see the advantages of digital transformation. A lot more litigants have access to justice, fairness and efficiency when court does not have an attend-in-person requirement. Digital tools can streamline court proceedings, reduce delays and make legal services more accessible.
Supreme Court of Arizona
For the most part yes. The evaluation involves surveys and interviews with attorneys who have worked with a judge. Feedback is based on the judge's performance and qualifications. These ratings are influential but they are not binding. They can be considered but they don't necessarily have to be considered.
I walked into the bank and told the clerk I wanted to take out fifty dollars. She said, withdrawal? I said, I waaaant t-ooooo taaaaay ke oowwwt fiiiiifteeeeee daaaaallors.
VoteVets, Victory Institute, National Organization for Women Arizona, Advance Native Political Leadership, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Vice Mayor Jennifer Adams, Raquel Terán for Congress, Ayensa Millan for City Council District 3, Joshua Polacheck for AZ Corporation Commission, Councilwoman Betty Guardado District 5, Ylenia Aguilar for AZ Corporation Commission, Conor O'Callaghan for Congress District 1, Sarah Liguori State House, Analise Ortiz for State Senate, Lupe Conchas Glendale City Council, Patty Contreras for AZ House of Representatives, Charles Lucking State House Representative
I believe in transparency at all levels on government. I also believe that government institutions are responsible to prevent corruption and misuse of the taxpayer's resources.
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.
2020
Deborah Begay completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Begay's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Deborah is a lifelong Democrat. She is a Veteran of the United States Naval Reserves. She holds the ideals of Honor, Courage and Commitment in high regard. Deborah earned her undergraduate degree in Native American History from UC Berkeley and her Juris Doctorate from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. Her focus of study in law school was Federal Indian Law. She believes a deep understanding of how the law can heal a community rather than fracture it is something we are missing in large proportions. Deborah was a Udall Congressional Intern during law school and had the honor of interning at the White House Counsel on Environmental Quality. She also worked for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice and the Natural Resources Division. Deborah is also a published author.
All these accomplishments, and the greatest one to her is being a mother. She is honored to be a mother of three children. Her three are also enrolled members of Navajo Nation and share at least one clan with her. Deborah is a Community Builder and Peacemaker. It is her deepest desire to share her vision of restorative justice with her Moon Valley community.
- No one should be excluded from a fair hearing.
- Justice is a balm to heal both parties in a conflict.
- Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
Helping to shape social policy in a way that the community views the justice system as an ally rather than an enemy.
Restorative justice to replace monetary fines with community service.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Aside from being extremely well educated (Cornell, Harvard Law , and Columbia Law School) Justice Ginsburg became associate director of a comparative law project sponsored by Columbia University which required her to study the Swedish legal system. Additionally, Justice Ginsburg served as a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Stanford, California from 1977-1978. In her career, Justice Ginsburg litigated sex discrimination cases for the American Civil Liberties Union, and was instrumental in launching its Women's Rights Project in 1973. She served as general counsel of the ACLU from 1973-1980 and on the National Board of Directors from 1974-1980. In 1993, Justice Ginsburg accepted President Bill Clinton's nomination in to the Supreme Court and took her seat on August 10, 1993. She still serves amidst incredible bouts of fighting cancer. She is someone I deeply admire. I would life to serve as a Justice of the Peace in the way she serves on the Supreme Court: To serve the vision of the law to enact justice in a way that heals the community.
Two movies: A Few Good Men, To Kill a Mockingbird. Books: The Law Machine; The New Jim Crow; Policing the National Body: Race, Gender, and Criminalization in the United States; Tribes, Treaties, & Constitutional Tribulations; The American Indian in Western Legal Thought
Integrity. Guided by a moral compass, both privately and publicly. Guided by constituents' needs. Ability to lead in a service capacity. In touch with their community. Engaged in community activities. Voice for those who have no voice. Open to criticism. Strong character.
Ethical, Compassionate, Strong moral fiber, Good sense of humor, Positive outlook on life, Forgiving, Honest, Thoughtful, Sociable, Hopeful, Able to learn quickly, Resilient, Flexible, Open minded.
Judges are like umpires in baseball or referees in football or basketball. Their role is to see that the rules of court procedures are followed by both sides. Like the umpire, they call 'em as they see 'em, according to the facts and law-without regard to which side is popular (no home field advantage), without regard to who is "favored," without regard for what the spectators want, and without regard to whether the judge agrees with the law.
The community to know I made a difference in their personal lives. And, that our community grew stronger as a result of my being their Justice of the Peace.
The first historical event in my life was my adoption. I was adopted the year before the Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted. As a result of this, a non-Native family was able to adopt me without notice being given to my tribe or to my birth family. I was six years old at the time. It was an experience that would completely change the course of my life as well as instill in me the passion for protecting the sovereignty of tribal nations. The passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 is a Federal law that governs jurisdiction over the removal of Native American children from their families in custody, foster care and adoption cases. It gives tribal governments exclusive jurisdiction over children who reside on, or are domiciled on a reservation. It was enacted in response to a crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native children, families, and tribes.
My very fist job was working at Burger King. I was in eleventh grade. I worked there for a year or so.
Donna Tartt, The Little Friend. Completely seized all my senses.
Sam Cooke's "A change is gonna come"
Affording my children the opportunity to learn their cultural language and customs in this modern world. In a state with a strong Native population, 22 tribal nations, it is hard for me to believe that there is no dedicated education institution in Phoenix for the Navajo language. The closest for us is Flagstaff.
Deciding on matters of Domestic Violence.
A judge's performance on the court should be as a cautious approach to adjudication. To serve the law as it was meant to be served is to measure motions, a balancing of sorts, where the right can always been seen. The right is a destination reached that is good for both parties.
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor. She made it abundantly clear during her confirmation hearings that she did not want to be viewed as a judicial activist. In her opening statement, she declared her judicial philosophy to be "fidelity to the law." "The task of a judge is not to make law. It is to apply the law." I deeply admire this perspective.
I come from a culture that believes in k'e, which means interrelatedness and kinship. Empathy is the basis of resolving conflict. The fundamental idea behind justice is to restore relationships and harmony, rather than to assign guilt and punishment. We call it Peacemaking. It is a system of justice and healing that is foreign to mainstream America but it is a system I believe strongly in. True justice is about affirming the best of who we are as human beings. This is impossible to do without empathy.
I am running for this seat because I was asked to and I want to serve my community. Although no legal training is required, I have an abundance of legal training that I bring to the table. I have worked in diverse communities most of my working life. I enjoy working with people to arrive at a solution that equips them rather than strips them of self worth. I am running for this office to help sustain my community in the face of discrimination and injustice. We need a new public servants to help settle community conflicts. I am both a teacher and a student. In order for the injustices to change, we must relearn the underlying value of a strong community: Respect, Relationship (K'e), Responsibility, and Reverence. I bring this knowledge with me. I will share this knowledge.
Yes, I believe it is beneficial but not necessary.
My primary concern is that decisions are made before the cases are even heard. Decisions are made based on race, sex, age, sexual orientations and economic status.
For the Arizona judicial system to deliver justice fairly and equitably to all.
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
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct |
Personal |
Footnotes
Arizona courts
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Arizona • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Arizona
State courts:
Arizona Supreme Court • Arizona Court of Appeals • Arizona Superior Court • Arizona Justice Courts • Arizona Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Arizona • Arizona judicial elections • Judicial selection in Arizona
