Latina Leaders Endorse Kyrsten Sinema for Congress

TEMPE, ARIZ. – Today, three of Arizona’s Latina leaders endorsed Kyrsten Sinema for Congress. Sinema has also been endorsed by EMILY’s List. The three, Tucson Councilwoman Regina Romero, former Senator Rebecca Rios and business owner Christina Martinez, pointed out Sinema’s leadership in standing up for women and families as the reason for their support.

“As out-of-touch elites continue to deny health care to women and children, we need Kyrsten Sinema’s leadership more than ever,” said Romero, who noted that Governor Jan Brewer’s weekend signing of HB 2800 denying funding to Planned Parenthood will make it harder for poor women to afford cancer screenings and birth control. “Sinema has never lost the nerve to fight for families. Arizona women need that voice more than ever.”

“I’ve worked with Kyrsten Sinema in the legislature, and I’ve seen her stand up for issues important to our community,” said Rios.

“Even as sparks flew on the campaign trail last week, Kyrsten Sinema kept her eye on the ball, pushing for the DREAM Act,” said Martinez. “That ‘s because she is focused on making real change to help families when other candidates for Congress are just looking out for themselves.”

Romero, elected to the Tucson City Council in 2007, was re-elected by a wide margin last year. She is the first Latina to win election to Tucson’s Council. Rios was the Director of Children’s Behavioral Health Services through the Pinal Gila Behavioral Health Association, where she worked as a child and family counselor and children’s case manager. She also served in the Arizona legislature from 1994 to 2010. Christina Martinez is the owner of Adelante Public Affairs; she serves on the board of Emerge Arizona and is a volunteer for the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

“I am grateful for the support from Councilwoman Romero, Senator Rios and Christina Martinez,” said Sinema. “As our rights come under attack more and more, women need to stand in solidarity to protect ourselves and our families. Every woman has the right to make her own decisions about healthcare and family, and when I get to Congress, I will voice that belief with conviction.”