Why I Am Running

Running for office is not easy and it shouldn’t be – for anyone. It is a big responsibility. I am running because I want to work for the people of Arizona and help make their lives better. After the January 6th events in D.C., it became clear that there are pieces of our government (at many levels) that are breaking down and not working for people. We need strong leaders who believe in protecting our democracy. People need to be heard and encouraged to engage.

About Me

Early Activism

It all started long ago, in my junior year in high school, when I helped the Town of Fountain Hills organize a protest at the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to widen the B-Line highway (SR87). Too many people were getting in accidents or killed along the two lane highway and ADOT had announced they were going to postpone the widening of the road. Our community needed to take action, so we loaded into tour busses and went to ADOT office downtown. Unfortunately, we were not successful and had to wait another few years, but this early life experience made an impression and convinced me that sometimes communities need fight to create a positive change. Nothing will change if we do nothing. 

I then went on to launch the town’s first Mayor’s Youth Council. I was hooked. I knew I wanted to continue to help my community. It is why I decided to study political science and go on to get my master’s degree in public policy.

Advocate for Communities

Most recently, I worked with my community to make it safer for residents and our school children. A detox facility moved into our neighborhood and less than 1000 feet from an elementary school. Frequently, neighbors would see the detox facility clients doing drugs, trespassing, urinating, and acting erratically in the neighborhood. While we all supported what the facility was trying to accomplish, it was not conducive to a neighborhood setting with a school nearby.

After a great deal of community outreach, meetings, discussions with the City, and the State, as well as the media, the detox facility agreed to relocate.  

A Proud Democrat

I ran for my first political office in seventh grade when I ran for class vice president. I ran against Dawn. We voted and she won. But I wasn’t deterred. I was hooked on government and politics.

Over the years, I have helped a myriad of good candidates run for office. I have served in various leadership positions within the political arena, including working for the Arizona Democratic Party, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and on more than a dozen congressional, gubernatorial, and presidential campaigns across the U.S. Even when I was working at my “day jobs” I always made time, when I could, to participate in the process and elect candidates I believed would make a positive impact on people’s lives. Most recently, I also served on the AZLD5 Democrats board. Some of the campaigns I have worked on include:

Clinton / Gore 1996 (AZ)
Lane Evans for Congress 1998 (IL)
Mark Warner for Governor 2001 (VA)
Norris for US House 2003 (AZ)
Jerry McNerney for Congress 2009 (CA/DC)
Hillary for America 2016 (CA)
Biden / Harris 2020 (AZ)

Business Owner and Artist

Being a small business owner can be a hard and uncertain endeavor. I have been an artist all my life and art is something I do to relax and to communicate my opinions and thoughts. I have been fortunate to have my work exhibited in galleries in DC and LA, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, the Pacific Design Center in LA, as well as numerous businesses. In 2018, I opened my own gallery in Phoenix. I wanted to give local artists a platform to use their art to express their views on public policy and community issues. The artists chose their focus and the topics covered everything from climate change to healthcare to legalized cannabis (dorrithyden.com). Sadly, in 2020 – as I was moving into a bigger space to incorporate more programs and events – COVID hit and I had to close the gallery.

Small businesses are the life blood of our communities and culture and can be more heavily impacted by economic events and policy changes. They need to be protected and supported.

Experienced Communicator

My entire career has been focused on communications. I served as Vice President at a Washington, D.C. public relations firm, worked in communications for two city governments, as well as the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of Strategic Planning and Office of the Spokesperson.

Technology has both streamlined and convoluted our ability to communicate. With access to so much information, it can be hard to discern accurate or truthful information. Now, more than ever, we need leaders who can communicate effectively and know how to navigate communication tools in order to ensure constituents are well informed and engaged in public policy decisions. Truth and transparency matter. My conversation with you does not stop when I am elected.

Let me know your priorities. Email me, or take a poll: