Athena Salman

Athena Salman

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Arizona House of Representatives District 26

Successor: Flavio Bravo

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Arizona House of Representatives District 8

Successor: Jevin Hodge

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Education

Bachelor's

Arizona State University, 2011

Personal

Profession

Community organizer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Athena Salman (Democratic Party) was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, representing District 8. She assumed office on January 9, 2023. She left office on December 31, 2023.

Salman (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Arizona House of Representatives to represent District 8. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Salman served as a Minority Whip in the Arizona House of Representatives. Salman resigned on December 31, 2023 to become the director of Arizona Campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All.

Biography

Athena Salman earned bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Arizona State University in 2011. Salman's career experience includes working as a community organizer, a parent awareness and community outreach coordinator with First Things First, and a service express attendant with Westin Phoenix Downtown. She has been affiliated with the Omega Iota Chapter of Omega Phi Alpha.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Salman was assigned to the following committees:

• Joint Committee on Capital Review (Decommissioned)
• Joint Legislative Budget Committee
• House Appropriations Committee
• House Rules Committee

2021-2022

Salman was assigned to the following committees:

• Government and Elections Committee
• House Education Committee

2019-2020

Salman was assigned to the following committees:

• House Rules Committee
• Elections Committee (Decommissioned)

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Arizona committee assignments, 2017
• Banking and Insurance
• Government and Higher Education

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Arizona House of Representatives District 8 (2 seats)

Incumbent Melody Hernandez and incumbent Athena Salman defeated Caden Darrow and Bill Loughrige in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 8 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melody Hernandez (D)	31.7	40,378
✔		Athena Salman (D)	30.9	39,386
		Caden Darrow (R)	18.7	23,848
		Bill Loughrige (R)	18.6	23,725

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 127,337
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 8 (2 seats)

Incumbent Melody Hernandez and incumbent Athena Salman advanced from the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 8 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melody Hernandez	50.1	14,840
✔		Athena Salman	49.9	14,758

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 29,598
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 8 (2 seats)

Bill Loughrige and Caden Darrow advanced from the Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 8 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Loughrige	52.4	9,194
✔		Caden Darrow	47.6	8,355

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,549
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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

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	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

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	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.
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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

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	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.
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2018

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

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

Incumbent Athena Salman and incumbent Isela Blanc defeated Raymond Speakman in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Athena Salman (D)	39.8	29,540
✔		Isela Blanc (D)	37.8	28,039
		Raymond Speakman (R)	22.5	16,676

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 74,255
= 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 House of Representatives District 26 (2 seats)

Incumbent Athena Salman and incumbent Isela Blanc advanced from the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Athena Salman	50.3	9,672
✔		Isela Blanc	49.7	9,545

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,217 (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 House of Representatives District 26 (2 seats)

Raymond Speakman advanced from the Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 26 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raymond Speakman	100.0	6,834

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,834 (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.
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2016

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016. Incumbent Juan Mendez (D) did not seek re-election.

Athena Salman and Isela Blanc defeated Steven Adkins and Cara Trujillo in the Arizona House of Representatives District 26 general election.

Arizona House of Representatives, District 26 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Athena Salman	33.21%	28,038
	Democratic	Isela Blanc	31.96%	26,981
	Republican	Steven Adkins	23.06%	19,469
	Green	Cara Trujillo	11.77%	9,941
Total Votes				84,429
Source: Arizona Secretary of State

Isela Blanc and Athena Salman defeated incumbent Celeste Plumlee and Michael Martinez in the Arizona House of Representatives District 26 Democratic Primary.

Arizona House of Representatives, District 26 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Isela Blanc	29.80%	4,648
	Democratic	Athena Salman	32.10%	5,007
	Democratic	Celeste Plumlee Incumbent	21.00%	3,276
	Democratic	Michael Martinez	17.09%	2,666
Total Votes				15,597

Steven Adkins ran unopposed in the Arizona House of Representatives District 26 Republican Primary.

Arizona House of Representatives, District 26 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Steven Adkins  (unopposed)

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Athena Salman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Athena Salman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Ballotpedia biographical submission form

The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:

“	What is your political philosophy? Government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Is there anything you would like to add? In the 2018 legislative session, Athena Salman was the prime sponsor for the bill, HB2222, to address the gross inadequacy of feminine hygiene products for women in prison. The bill sparked national outrage and inspired the #LetItFlow campaign, which led to the immediate change in the Arizona Department of Corrections regarding menstrual products. Athena can also be found at: www.twitter.com/AthenaSalman www.facebook.com/SalmanforAZ www.instragram.com/AthenaSalman	”
—Athena Salman

2016

Salman's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“	Quality Education Arizona needs to have an education system that promotes success from cradle to career. Our students deserve the best education we can offer. We can foster excellent education by attracting the best candidates out there to become educators. We need to transform the profession into a high quality job with a competitive salary. We also need to reduce classroom sizes and allow teachers more time to prep for their classes. Our state needs top-notch educators to teach our next generation. Sustainable Jobs In the 21st Century, Arizona should be upgrading its aging infrastructure, while expanding clean energy and technology jobs. Ensuring that infrastructure, such as our public transit system, roads, and drinking water, is safe will allow our state to stay competitive. Meanwhile, we closed the year 2015 as the hottest on record. We need to accelerate solutions that center around renewable and clean energy, because our health and our children’s future depends on it. Strong Communities We are the catalysts that are capable of driving progress. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their community. As such, we must pass policies to ensure that our LGBTQ brothers and sisters receive equal protection. We must have an immigration system that is humane and keeps families united. We must invest in public safety and shift towards evidence based models that build positive relationships between the community and law enforcement. Strong communities are the backbone of Arizona and our Representatives play a critical role in keeping our communities healthy and supporting families for decades to come.	”
—Athena Salman

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Athena Salman campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Arizona House of Representatives District 8	Won general	$47,533	$47,922
2020	Arizona House of Representatives District 26	Won general	$44,648	N/A**
2018	Arizona House of Representatives District 26	Won general	$44,634	N/A**
2016	Arizona House of Representatives, District 26	Won	$44,277	N/A**
Grand total			$181,092	$47,922
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Arizona

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Arizona scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023

In 2023, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 9 to July 31.

• Arizona Free Enterprise Club: Senate and House

Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform.

• Center for Arizona Policy Action

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues.

• Children's Action Alliance

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues.

• Humane Voters of Arizona

Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues.

• Progress Arizona

Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform.

• Secular Coalition for Arizona

Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy.

• Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.

• The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

• The Arizona Center for Economic Progress

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic policy.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 10 to June 25. Arizona Free Enterprise Club: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform. Center for Arizona Policy Action: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Progress Arizona Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Arizona Center for Economic Progress Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic policy.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 11 to June 30. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 13 to May 26. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 14 through May 28. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the 54th Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 4. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 53rd Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 4. Americans for Prosperity Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Tucson Metro Chamber Legislators are scored on their support of business policies.

See also

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Candidate

Arizona House of Representatives District 8

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Arizona House of Representatives District 8 2023-2023	Succeeded by Jevin Hodge (D)
Preceded by -	Arizona House of Representatives District 26 2017-2023	Succeeded by Flavio Bravo (D)

[show]

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)