APACHE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY Board
Lorencita Marshall
Chair
Lorencita Marshall (Chair): In 2020, I was not a registered voter and political organizing was not something I had interest in or any intentions to do. It wasn’t until I was a student at Diné College that I was invited to attend a discussion with the Arizona Secretary of State office and talk about voting. I was feeling overwhelmed and a bit embarrassed about what I didn’t know. I was thankful about the way I was brought into the conversation. I know what it feels like when you think you don’t belong in certain places or conversations or that you don’t think your opinion matters, but after I was encouraged and supported I got more involved. I registered to vote, cast my ballot, then began helping others register to vote, and had conversations with other people who felt just like I did. Now, I certainly know I have a space and the responsibility to speak up and make sure the people in my community are heard. I want more community members to gain that kind of confidence too.
Priscilla Weaver (First Vice Chair): In January 2020, I traveled from Teec Nos Pos to Window Rock with my husband to learn more about the Arizona Democratic Party in Apache County. I met wonderful community activists who became my allies and friends because we shared common ideas and were willing to help each other. We campaigned together with the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats to get votes by using social media, phone banking, text messaging, signposting, and radio advertising. We eventually reached our common goal in November when we were successful in electing Democratic candidates, flipping Arizona blue by 10,457 votes, and turning our country blue. Apache County had 51,906 registered voters, 35,776 of whom voted. This accounted for a 68.92% turnout, and I learned that grassroots organizations were critical in producing this high turnout.
Virginia Dotson
Secretary/Treasurer
Ginny Dotson (Secretary/Treasurer): Before politics became so compelling, I was a wood artist. I am a strong supporter of voting rights. My oldest aunts on both sides of my family reached adulthood at a time when women did not have the right to vote. When they fought for and finally gained that right, they voted in every single election as long as they were able to do so. When I saw some of our legislators trying to take that right away from people, I knew it was time to get to work and fight again.As a board member of the Apache County Democrats, I will work to empower and educate voters in our communities.
Mike Kunneke
Board Member At Large
Mike Kunneke (Board Member At Large): I'm a retired computer professional who first came to the Southwest as Data Processing Director for the Ramah Navajo School Board in New Mexico. Now living in the southern Apache County neighborhood of Show Low Pines, I'm currently a Precinct Committee Person for Concho, Arizona, and the At-Large Executive Board member of the Apache County Democrats. Although my personal politics tend to be left of the majority of the Democratic party, I try not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. You can find me at @geekonabike on Instagram, plus various other online sites. If you'd like to contact me, my email is mikekunnecke@yahoo.com.