Chris Deschene is a proud Arizonan and a member of the Navajo Nation. He currently serves as State Representative in Arizona’s 2nd Legislative District.
Chris’s grandfather served as a Navajo Codetalker during World War II. Like many in his family, he was raised to value hard work, loyalty and service. Although he went to a high school where expectations were low, Chris was taught by his parents that if you work hard and put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. He earned straight A’s and was accepted to college at Princeton University and to the military academies at both West Point and Annapolis. He chose to attend Annapolis because they offered one of the top engineering programs in the country, and because he wanted the greatest challenge to develop his abilities and himself.
After graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Chris served 10 years as an infantry and special forces reconnaissance officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. It was here that he learned the meaning of real leadership and came to truly understand the concept of "Semper Fidelis", the idea that you have faith in yourself and your goal and the people around you, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
Completing his service as a decorated officer, Major Deschene brought his leadership skills home to Arizona and immediately committed to a rigorous joint degree program at Arizona State University where he earned both a law degree and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.
Today, Chris continues to fight for his community as an engineer, an attorney, and a community organizer. When he realized how important the political process is in creating real change, he didn’t hesitate and now serves proudly in the State House.
It’s there that Representative Deschene has had a front row seat to some of the most devastating economic decisions in Arizona’s history. He believes strongly that if we are going to get past ideological gridlock and move Arizona forward again, we have to refocus our priorities.
Chris also knows that at a time of crisis and decision-making, it is more important than ever that we protect the ballot box as the vehicle through which the voices of Arizonans are heard. Our state’s election laws are complicated and ever changing and Chris has seen firsthand how confusion and misinformation can lead to thousands of citizens losing out on one of their most fundamental rights. We need a Chief Elections Officer dedicated to the principles that every election should be transparent, that the playing field must be level and that every vote will be counted.
Chris Deschene is running for Secretary of State and as we face redistricting, a history of voter disenfranchisement and a state on the brink of economic collapse, that office has never been more important.
Please, take the time today to lend your support and encouragement by volunteering or contributing today. I know that if we work together, we can change directions down at the state capitol and get Arizona back on track.