Elda Luna-Najera, a graduate of Holbrook High School’s Class of 1997 and the President of the Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board, has been appointed to the Arizona State House of Representatives, filling the vacancy in Legislative District 22. The position became available following the resignation of former Representative Leezah Sun on Jan. 31. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors announced Luna-Najera’s appointment on Feb. 26 and she was sworn into office on March 1.
Upon her appointment, Luna-Najera expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am honored and humbled by this opportunity. Serving as the LD22 House Representative is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.” She brings to the role her experience as the current president of the Tolleson Union school board and her work as an administrator for student services in the same district, where she focused on supporting students in need. She worked in that administrative position until her job in the house began earlier this month.
Luna-Najera holds a doctorate in social work from the University of Southern California, and both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University. She was born in Holbrook and lived in Woodruff, attending Holbrook High School. She had her eyes set on education from an early age, remarking, “during my time there [at Holbrook High School] I wanted to be a teacher but after I left for college that passion evolved into social work.”
In her new role as a state representative, Luna-Najera aims to address key issues such as education, homelessness, substance abuse and mental health. She plans to use her experience and education in social work to influence policy and create improvements for Arizonans in these areas.
Luna-Najera remains deeply connected to her origins, regularly returning to Holbrook—a place where her mother still lives and where her children relish the quaint, small-town lifestyle. She said that working for a much larger school district who has graduating classes larger than her entire high school population, took some getting used to. This transition, while challenging, enriched her perspective on education, allowing her to draw from her small-town experiences while addressing the complexities of a larger educational environment.
As the election year progresses, Luna-Najera’s focus also shifts towards her campaign for reelection in November. Given her late start due to her recent appointment, Luna-Najera faces the challenge of compressing her campaign efforts into a shorter timeframe. She is currently working to gather the necessary signatures to secure her place on the primary ballot, a task that must be completed by April 1. This step is crucial for her to maintain her candidacy and continue her legislative work beyond the interim period.
In her reflection on the journey ahead, Elda Luna-Najera emphasizes her desire to inspire individuals from rural communities, highlighting the importance of their representation in legislative processes. Luna-Najera’s story underscores the potential for individuals from smaller communities to effect significant change at higher levels of government. She hopes her path will motivate others from similar backgrounds to pursue public service, reinforcing the idea that rural communities are integral to the broader narrative of state and national progress.
