Deborah Howard was a special assistant at the U.S. Department of Labor under President Ronald Reagan and spent four decades in communications and advocacy work before moving to Arizona in 2017, where she joined Indivisible Arizona and monitored the state's redistricting process. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. This is her second run at the LD27 House: in 2024 she finished narrowly behind Rivero. She has called Arizona's tax system "broken."
Prominent Endorsements
Arizona ListSierra Club
Candidate resources
Self-reported endorsements
- AFSCME, AZ College Dems, AZ List, CWA, Equality Arizona, Grand Democrats, Her Bold Move, MALF, NW Valley Indivisible, Sierra Club, SMART, Vote Common Good.
Candidate Questionnaire
Top Issues
I will always put protecting public education and protecting and expanding civil rights, including our right to vote, first. I want to make Arizona more livable and affordable for current citizens and future generations.
Professional Experience
- I am an accomplished public affairs and communications professional with experience working with government, business, political, and community leaders on a diverse range of issues and a broad-based skill set including project management and coordination, research, facilitation, outreach and coalition building. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, I pursued a career in public affairs and relocated to Washington, D.C. After working for a trade association representing both labor and management n the maritime industry, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve in the U.S. Department of Labor, where I gained firsthand experience in federal government and public policy. I've also worked for AARP at both its national headquarters and California State Office. Throughout my career, I have worked across numerous issue areas, including aging, community service, defense, education, healthcare, insurance, political campaigns, ballot initiatives and referendums, real estate, trade, and volunteerism. This broad experience has provided me with a deep understanding of diverse industries, stakeholder perspectives, and policy challenges. Having worked at the intersection of government, business, nonprofit organizations, and community advocacy, I bring a comprehensive, strategic perspective and a proven ability to build coalitions, navigate complex issues, and achieve results.
Education
- A.A., History, Orange Coast Community College, Costa Mesa California B.A., Political Economy of Industrial Societies, U.C. Berkeley
Political Offices
- I ran for LD27 State House of Representatives in 2024. In a Republican-wave year, I lost this 9-point Republican district by 4 points but overperformed compared to other Democratic losses. However, 2026 is not 2024.
Political Organizations
- Indivisible, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, Save Our Schools, LD27 Democrats.