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Activate 48

Activate 48 Endorsements

Activate 48, founded in 2021 is a coalition of BIPOC-led movement organizations working to envision and resource an intersectional & progressive agenda for the future of Arizona. Our partner organizations include LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Worker Power, and Chispa Arizona.

While each Activate 48 partner organization is unique and powerful, we understand that together we are stronger.

Our theory of change is rooted in the understanding that we build power close to home, and that grassroots organizing is at the heart of what we do. We make change at the state and local level working alongside our communities and investing in our people year-round and long term.

Together we can do more, and fight for the issues important to you. The challenges that impact your family also impact ours. Our story is your story – join us! Let’s make way for everyday Arizonans to lead.

State Legislature

Legislative District 8

Brian Garcia was born and raised in Arizona by parents from El Salvador and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Mexico. Upon becoming citizens, they fought to ensure Brian and his brother Aaron had access to opportunities. Brian was the first in his family to graduate from high school, college, graduate school, and earn a law degree - all from our local public schools. He served on the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board, including as president and vice president. Garcia has worked for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and as a Staff Attorney for unaccompanied migrant children. He is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, CWA, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, UFCW, UNITE HERE, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

Brian Garcia was born and raised in Arizona by parents from El Salvador and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Mexico. Upon becoming citizens, they fought to ensure Brian and his brother Aaron had access to opportunities. Brian was the first in his family to graduate from high school, college, graduate school, and earn a law degree - all from our local public schools. He served on the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board, including as president and vice president. Garcia has worked for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and as a Staff Attorney for unaccompanied migrant children. He is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, CWA, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, UFCW, UNITE HERE, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

General Progressive: Activate 48

Arizona State Senator Lauren Kuby, a former Tempe councilmember and vice mayor, and an ASU Global Futures Scientist, is a long-time advocate for environmental, consumer, and worker protections. She has spent decades fighting against the interests of utilities, developers, and corporations, to advance social, economic, environmental, and racial justice. As a Tempe councilmember, Kuby led efforts for including climate action, affordable housing, equal pay, earned sick days, animal welfare, and transparency. In the Senate, she stands up to ask questions, challenge the majority party, and seek solutions that engage her constituents and the larger community. Kuby is endorsed by AEA, AFSCME, Chispa Arizona,, CWA, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, UFCW, UNITE HERE, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

Arizona State Senator Lauren Kuby, a former Tempe councilmember and vice mayor, and an ASU Global Futures Scientist, is a long-time advocate for environmental, consumer, and worker protections. She has spent decades fighting against the interests of utilities, developers, and corporations, to advance social, economic, environmental, and racial justice. As a Tempe councilmember, Kuby led efforts for including climate action, affordable housing, equal pay, earned sick days, animal welfare, and transparency. In the Senate, she stands up to ask questions, challenge the majority party, and seek solutions that engage her constituents and the larger community. Kuby is endorsed by AEA, AFSCME, Chispa Arizona,, CWA, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, UFCW, UNITE HERE, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

General Progressive: Activate 48

Legislative District 20

State Representative Betty Villegas is a third-generation Tucsonan, and a proud mother of two daughters and two sons. A loving grandmother to six grandchildren, she understands the importance of a safe and prosperous community for future generations. As the Housing Program Manager for Pima County, Villegas was instrumental in expanding housing opportunities and protecting people from predatory lending and foreclosure. As a State Representative, she has filed legislation to protect renters, improve access to clean water, and defend our civil rights and democracy. Villegas is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, and many other organizations.

State Representative Betty Villegas is a third-generation Tucsonan, and a proud mother of two daughters and two sons. A loving grandmother to six grandchildren, she understands the importance of a safe and prosperous community for future generations. As the Housing Program Manager for Pima County, Villegas was instrumental in expanding housing opportunities and protecting people from predatory lending and foreclosure. As a State Representative, she has filed legislation to protect renters, improve access to clean water, and defend our civil rights and democracy. Villegas is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, and many other organizations.

General Progressive: Activate 48

Legislative District 21

State Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton is an ordained Presbyterian minister whose deep faith and love for her community have driven her to community service. As Executive Director of Montlure Presbyterian Church Camp, Stephanie served children from across Arizona. She spent years supporting the Tucson Unified School Districts, including substitute teaching and coaching, and serving on TUSD’s Family Life Curriculum Committee, reviewing curriculum to ensure it was inclusive and relevant to the well-being of all students. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, and the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling that reinstated the 1864 anti-abortion law, Stephanie was ready with HB2677 to repeal that archaic legislation. Stahl Hamilton is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

State Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton is an ordained Presbyterian minister whose deep faith and love for her community have driven her to community service. As Executive Director of Montlure Presbyterian Church Camp, Stephanie served children from across Arizona. She spent years supporting the Tucson Unified School Districts, including substitute teaching and coaching, and serving on TUSD’s Family Life Curriculum Committee, reviewing curriculum to ensure it was inclusive and relevant to the well-being of all students. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, and the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling that reinstated the 1864 anti-abortion law, Stephanie was ready with HB2677 to repeal that archaic legislation. Stahl Hamilton is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

General Progressive: Activate 48

Legislative District 24

Alberto Flores was born and raised in Phoenix in a working-class immigrant family who worked in auto shops. Alberto and his brother had to finish high school online so that they could work full time. By the time Alberto was 16, he was running the shop. Due to his father’s immigration status at the time and the lack of accessible resources in the community, Alberto’s family became subject to predatory loans. Alberto knows the reality that many hard-working families are faced with unfair circumstances. He is running for State Representative to stand up to the corporate interests and politicians making life harder for working families. Alberto is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

Alberto Flores was born and raised in Phoenix in a working-class immigrant family who worked in auto shops. Alberto and his brother had to finish high school online so that they could work full time. By the time Alberto was 16, he was running the shop. Due to his father’s immigration status at the time and the lack of accessible resources in the community, Alberto’s family became subject to predatory loans. Alberto knows the reality that many hard-working families are faced with unfair circumstances. He is running for State Representative to stand up to the corporate interests and politicians making life harder for working families. Alberto is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

General Progressive: Activate 48

Lisbeth Arescurenaga is mental health advocate, mother, proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a community leader, running for State Representative to bring lived experience, compassion, and strong community leadership to the Arizona Legislature. Born in Peru, Lisbeth immigrated to the United States alone at the age of 15. Adjusting to a new country, language, and culture shaped her understanding of how challenging it can be for families to access education, services, and reliable information. For more than 15 years, Lisbeth has worked alongside families, youth, and community leaders to connect communities with resources and support. She is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

Lisbeth Arescurenaga is mental health advocate, mother, proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a community leader, running for State Representative to bring lived experience, compassion, and strong community leadership to the Arizona Legislature. Born in Peru, Lisbeth immigrated to the United States alone at the age of 15. Adjusting to a new country, language, and culture shaped her understanding of how challenging it can be for families to access education, services, and reliable information. For more than 15 years, Lisbeth has worked alongside families, youth, and community leaders to connect communities with resources and support. She is endorsed by Chispa Arizona, LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote, Sierra Club, Worker Power, Working Families Party, and many other organizations.

General Progressive: Activate 48

Analise Ortiz grew up in a family of six kids. Her parents, both educators, taught them the importance of taking care of our community. Analise graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU and went on to become an investigative reporter. After uncovering government corruption and exposing harmful legislation, she realized she wanted to create policy–not just report about it. Analise was first elected to the Arizona legislature in 2022, and has passed a law to protect construction workers from extreme heat by allowing them to begin their shifts earlier in the day, secured historic funding for childcare, affordable housing, and homelessness services, and was named the most Progressive Legislator in 2025 by Progress Arizona. She is endorsed by AFSCME, CWA, UFCW, UNITE HERE, Sierra Club, and many other organizations.

Analise Ortiz grew up in a family of six kids. Her parents, both educators, taught them the importance of taking care of our community. Analise graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU and went on to become an investigative reporter. After uncovering government corruption and exposing harmful legislation, she realized she wanted to create policy–not just report about it. Analise was first elected to the Arizona legislature in 2022, and has passed a law to protect construction workers from extreme heat by allowing them to begin their shifts earlier in the day, secured historic funding for childcare, affordable housing, and homelessness services, and was named the most Progressive Legislator in 2025 by Progress Arizona. She is endorsed by AFSCME, CWA, UFCW, UNITE HERE, Sierra Club, and many other organizations.

General Progressive: Activate 48