DFA backs Mary Matiella in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District

Chair Jim Dean says Matiella is “the progressive choice” in one of Democrats’ top 2018 targets

Democracy for America (DFA) today endorsed former Assistant Secretary for the Army Mary Matiella in her campaign against Martha McSally in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, one of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s top 2018 targets.

DFA has 37,728 members in Arizona and more than one million members nationwide.  In late June, DFA endorsed Rep. Ruben Gallago in his run for reelection in Arizona’s 7th Congressional district, David Garcia in his race for Governor, and January Contreras in her for Attorney General in the Grand Canyon State.

DFA Chair Jim Dean on the grassroots progressive organization’s endorsement of Matiella:

“Throughout her life, Mary Matiella has served the American people and, in Congress, she’ll serve the people of Southern Arizona by fighting for a bold, populist progressive vision for the country that tackles income and equity inequality.

“Not only will Mary Matiella be the first Latina to represent Arizona’s second district, she’s ready to fight to expand Social Security, push for Medicare for All, stop the attacks on immigrants and refugees, and build an economy that works for everyone and not just the elite few.

“Mary Matiella is the progressive choice in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District race.  We can’t wait to help Democracy for America members in Arizona and across the country help Mary build the smart, people-powered, issues-based grassroots campaign we need to defeat Martha McSally.” -- Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America

Mary Matiella on the endorsement:

"We're building a campaign from the bottom up, and I'm thrilled to have the support of Democracy for America, one of our nation's leading grassroots, progressive advocacy organizations. I look forward to working together to improve the lives and increase opportunities for southern Arizonans." -- Mary Matiella

Mary Matiella is a former Assistant Secretary of the Army, a native Tucsonan, and the child of migrant farm workers.  Taught the the importance of hard work and a good education by her parents early on, Matiella graduated from Tucson’s Pueblo High School and graduated from the University of Arizona’s College of Education with the help of a Regent’s Scholarship before going on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University’s Eller College of Management and a Doctorate in Washington, DC.  Matiella’s career in public service took her from top financial positions at the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Housing and Urban Develop to a civilian Army position focused on financial management that the Department of Defense ranks as equivalent to a four-star general.  

Democracy for America is a member-driven, people-powered progressive PAC with more than one million members nationwide committed to taking on income inequality, money in politics, and structural racism. Since its 2004 founding, DFA members have raised and contributed more than $40 million and made more than 11.1 million volunteer calls to help successfully elect 917 progressive candidates nationwide.