Mark Robert Gordon secures endorsement from AFSCME Arizona Retirees Chapter 97 for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District

AFSCME Arizona Retirees back voting rights advocate and labor leader as the strongest candidate to defeat David Schweikert

PHOENIX, Ariz. – AFSCME Arizona Retirees Chapter 97 announces their endorsement of Mark Robert Gordon in his campaign for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. Representing 2,045 retired public service workers across the state, AFSCME Retirees is a trusted voice in Arizona politics. This endorsement adds to Gordon’s growing coalition of support, which already includes 41 elected leaders across Arizona, more than any other Democrat in the race.

Gordon is a longtime union member with over three decades of experience in multiple entertainment unions and AFSCME. He currently serves on the board of the Arizona AFL-CIO as the delegate for SAG-AFTRA and is a board member of the Maricopa Area Labor Federation. This endorsement reflects Gordon’s lifelong commitment to the labor movement as a union member, activist, and leader.

“AFSCME Arizona Retirees Chapter 97 is extremely pleased to endorse Mark Robert Gordon as our choice for Congress in CD 1,” said Roman Ulman, President of AFSCME Arizona Retirees Chapter 97. “As a union member for more than three decades, Mark has the experience, passion, and ethics to fight for working families. At a time when Social Security and Medicare are under constant attack, we need champions like Mark in Congress who will always stand with retirees and working people.

“AFSCME Retirees know firsthand the importance of electing leaders who will protect Social Security, Medicare, and the retirement security we’ve earned after a lifetime of service,” said Mark Robert Gordon. “David Schweikert has done nothing to fight for the hardworking public servants who dedicated their careers to serving our communities. Instead, he’s repeatedly voted to cut these benefits while handing out tax breaks to his powerful friends. I’ll always stand up for working people and retirees, and I’m honored to have AFSCME Retirees Chapter 97 by my side as we fight to bring honest, pro-worker leadership back to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.”

Background

Gordon grew up in north central Phoenix, the son of a disabled World War II veteran and a public school teacher. He attended Phoenix public schools and put himself through Princeton, Columbia Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School of Government by working part-time jobs and earning scholarships.

For more than 30 years, Gordon has worked as a voting rights advocate and attorney*, leading voter protection efforts nationwide and founding a voting rights organization dedicated to electing pro-democracy leaders. He has even taken that commitment abroad, delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine on three missions.

A small business owner and proud union member for more than three decades, Gordon is National Chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Small Business Council, where he advocates for policies that support workers and small businesses. He also serves on the Arizona AFL-CIO and Maricopa Area Labor Federation boards.

*Bar Admissions: U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Court (NJ), District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York

Media Contact:

Erik Montaño

Campaign Manager

erik@electmarkrobertgordon.com

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Mark Robert Gordon leads with most endorsements in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District

Momentum builds for voting rights attorney Mark Robert Gordon as more Arizona leaders rally behind his campaign to defeat David Schweikert

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Just one month into his campaign, Mark Robert Gordon has earned more endorsements than any other Democratic Candidate in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. Gordon’s list of endorsements has now grown to 37 Arizona leaders, positioning him as the candidate Arizona Democrats trust to defeat David Schweikert.

Gordon’s campaign also reported more than $100,000 raised in the campaign’s first 48 hours. As grassroots support grows, leaders across Arizona are uniting behind Gordon’s campaign to flip Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.

“Arizona leaders are backing our campaign because they know I am the candidate who will defeat David Schweikert,” said Gordon. “We’ve got a wannabe dictator in the White House and his henchman, David Schweikert, in Congress clearing the way for Trump to strip Arizonans of their Constitutional freedoms, Social Security, and health care. Their tax scam irresponsibly handed billions in tax breaks to the elites, and now they’re coming after our paychecks and health care to pay off their debt. Arizonans are ready to elect a leader who will fight for a fair economy, defend our democracy, and put working families first.”

Gordon’s campaign continues building momentum with a growing list of local and state leaders supporting him:

• New: Ben Nuvamsa, former Hopi Tribe Chairman

• New: Harriet Young, former Arizona Democratic Party Chair

• New: Rosanna Gabaldon, Arizona State Senator and Senate Democratic Whip

• New: Jack Jackson Jr., former Arizona State Senator

• New: Eddie Ableser, former Arizona State Senator

• New: Barbara McGuire, former Arizona State Senator

• New: Rae Waters, former Arizona State Representative

• New: Pat Fleming, former Arizona State Representative

• New: Tom Prezelski, former Arizona State Representative

• New: Ray Martinez, former Arizona State Representative

• New: Henry Wade, City of Maricopa Vice Mayor

• New: David Luna, former City of Mesa Vice Mayor

• New: Paul Cunningham, Tucson City Council Member

• New: Craig Tribken, former Phoenix City Council Member

• New: Armando Montero, Tempe Union High School District Governing Board Member

• New: Ben Smith, former Mesa Public Schools Governing Board President

• New: Julie Cieniawski, former Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board President

• New: Ellen Shamah, former Kyrene Elementary School District Governing Board Member

• New: Diane Feldman Schoen, former Madison Elementary School Board President

• New: Aaron Jahneke, former Washington Elementary School Board Member

• Mitzi Epstein, Arizona State Senator and former Arizona Senate Democratic Leader

• Brian Garcia, Arizona State Representative

• David Lujan, former Arizona State Senator and former Arizona House Democratic Leader

• Patty Contreras, Arizona State Representative and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Jackie Thrasher, former Arizona State Representative

• Joe Eddie Lopez, former Arizona State Senator and former Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Member

• Dr. Linda Thor, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board Member

• Randolph Stephen Lumm, former Maricopa Community Colleges Board President

• Dennis Kavanaugh, former City of Mesa Vice Mayor

• Jenn Duff, Mesa City Council Member

• Lupe Conchas, Glendale City Council Member and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Deborah Cross, Phoenix Union High School Board Member

• Signa Oliver, Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member

• Jacob George, Balsz Elementary School District Governing Board Member

• Jeff Fortney, Cave Creek School District Governing Board Member

• Matt Jewett, former Creighton Elementary District Board Member

• Tim Stringham, former Maricopa County Recorder candidate

Background

Gordon grew up in north central Phoenix, the son of a disabled World War II veteran and a public school teacher. He attended Phoenix public schools and put himself through Princeton, Columbia Law and Harvard by working part-time jobs and earning scholarships.

For more than 30 years, Gordon has worked as a voting rights advocate and attorney, leading voter protection efforts nationwide and founding a voting rights organization dedicated to electing pro-democracy leaders. He has even taken that commitment abroad, delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine on three missions.

A small business owner and proud union member for more than three decades, Gordon serves on the Democratic National Committee’s Small Business Council, where he advocates for policies that support workers and small businesses. He also serves on the Arizona AFL-CIO and Maricopa Area Labor Federation boards.

Media Contact:

Erik Montaño

Campaign Manager

erik@electmarkrobertgordon.com

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Mark Robert Gordon reports over $100,000 in contributions in first 48 hours since launching campaign for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District

Voting rights attorney launches with grassroots momentum and endorsements from a growing list of state and local elected officials

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Voting rights attorney Mark Robert Gordon, on Thursday, announced his candidacy for Congress in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. His campaign reports more than $100,000 in individual contributions from over 450 donors, signaling strong grassroots support upon the campaign’s launch.

AZCentral was the first to break the story on Gordon’s launch on July 10. Read the full article here.

“Arizonans are ready to send David Schweikert packing. Sellout Schweikert betrayed Arizona's working families by siding with his powerful friends and handing them billions in tax breaks while cutting Medicaid, slashing support for hospitals and nursing homes, raising our electric bills, and sticking us with a $3 trillion bill.” said Gordon. “We need a strong voice who will stand up to Trump’s attacks on democracy and working families, and thanks to the support our campaign has already received, I’ll be the Democrat who gets the job done.”

Gordon’s campaign has gained early momentum with endorsements from a growing list of local and state elected officials: 

• Mitzi Epstein, Arizona State Senator and former Arizona Senate Democratic Leader

• David Lujan, former Arizona State Senator and former Arizona House Democratic Leader

• Brian Garcia, Arizona State Representative

• Patty Contreras, Arizona State Representative and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Jackie Thrasher, former Arizona State Representative

• Joe Eddie Lopez, former Arizona State Representative and State Senator, and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Member

• Dr. Linda Thor, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board Member

• Randolph Stephen Lumm, former Maricopa Community Colleges Board President

• Dennis Kavanaugh, former Vice Mayor, City of Mesa

• Jenn Duff, Mesa City Council Member

• Lupe Conchas, Glendale City Council Member and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Deborah Cross, Phoenix Union High School Board Member

• Signa Oliver, Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member

• Jacob George, Balsz Elementary School District Governing Board Member

• Jeff Fortney, Cave Creek School District Governing Board Member

• Matt Jewett, former Creighton Elementary District Board Member

• Tim Stringham, former Maricopa County Recorder candidate

Background 

Gordon grew up in north central Phoenix, the son of a disabled World War II veteran and a public school teacher. He attended Phoenix public schools and put himself through Princeton, Columbia Law and Harvard by working part-time jobs and earning scholarships.

For more than 30 years, Gordon has worked as a voting rights advocate and attorney, leading voter protection efforts nationwide and founding a voting rights organization dedicated to electing pro-democracy leaders. He has even taken that commitment abroad, delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine on three missions.

A small business owner and proud union member for more than three decades, Gordon serves on the Democratic National Committee’s Small Business Council, where he advocates for policies that support workers and small businesses. He also serves on the Arizona AFL-CIO and Maricopa Area Labor Federation boards.

For more information about the campaign, visit our website and follow the campaign on X, BlueSky, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit our media page to stay up to date with campaign news, press releases, and media highlights.

Media Contact:

Erik Montaño

Campaign Manager

erik@electmarkrobertgordon.com

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ICYMI: Mark Robert Gordon announces campaign for Congress in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District

Gordon launches with endorsements from more than a dozen state and local elected officials

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Mark Robert Gordon on Thursday announced his candidacy for Congress in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. 

AZCentral was the first to break the story on July 10. Read the full article here.

Gordon’s campaign has gained early momentum with endorsements from a growing list of local and state elected officials. Here’s what some had to say:

“This race is our chance to replace an incumbent steeped in scandal and out of touch with our community. Mark Robert Gordon brings the integrity, experience, and determination to win this race,” said Mitzi Epstein, Arizona State Senator and former Arizona Senate Democratic Leader. “As a small business leader, he knows how to grow economic opportunity and unite people to get things done. With our democracy under attack by the Trump administration, we need a leader who will stand up and protect the rights of all Arizonans. Mark is the leader AZ-01 deserves.”

“Mark has been fighting alongside us for voting rights, disability rights, and for our communities,” said Brian Garcia, Arizona State Representative. “Democracy and our economy are crashing down around us without real representation. I’m supporting Mark because we can’t afford to wait when our families are hurting now.”

“I’ve watched Mark lead in our community for years, always standing firm in his values,” said David Lujan, former Arizona State Senator and former Arizona House Democratic Leader. “With Donald Trump attacking democracy, the rule of law, and hardworking Arizona families, we need someone we can trust to fight for us. That’s why I’m supporting Mark, because unlike David Schweikert, he’ll stand up to Trump and put Arizonans first.”

Current list of endorsements:

• Mitzi Epstein, Arizona State Senator and former Arizona Senate Democratic Leader

• Brian Garcia, Arizona State Representative

• David Lujan, former Arizona State Senator and former Arizona House Democratic Leader

• Patty Contreras, Arizona State Representative and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Jackie Thrasher, former Arizona State Representative

• Joe Eddie Lopez, former Arizona State Representative and State Senator, and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Member

• Dr. Linda Thor, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board Member

• Randolph Stephen Lumm, former Maricopa Community Colleges Board President

• Dennis Kavanaugh, former Vice Mayor, City of Mesa

• Jenn Duff, Mesa City Council Member

• Lupe Conchas, Glendale City Council Member and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Deborah Cross, Phoenix Union High School Board Member

• Signa Oliver, Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member

• Jacob George, Balsz Elementary School District Governing Board Member

• Jeff Fortney, Cave Creek School District Governing Board Member

• Matt Jewett, former Creighton Elementary District Board Member

• Tim Stringham, former Maricopa County Recorder candidate

Background: 

Gordon grew up in north central Phoenix, the son of a disabled World War II veteran and a public school teacher. He attended Phoenix public schools and put himself through Princeton, Columbia Law and Harvard by working part-time jobs and earning scholarships.

For more than 30 years, Gordon has worked as a voting rights advocate and attorney, leading voter protection efforts nationwide and founding a voting rights organization dedicated to electing pro-democracy leaders. He has even taken that commitment abroad, delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine on three missions.

A small business owner and proud union member for more than three decades, Gordon serves on the Democratic National Committee’s Small Business Council, where he advocates for policies that support workers and small businesses. He also serves on the Arizona AFL-CIO and Maricopa Area Labor Federation boards.

The Democratic primary election will be held August 4, 2026.

For more information about the campaign, visit ElectMarkRobertGordon.com and follow the campaign on X, BlueSky, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit our media page to stay up to date with campaign news, press releases, and media highlights.

Media Contact:

Erik Montaño

Campaign Manager

erik@electmarkrobertgordon.com

###

Mark Robert Gordon launches campaign for Congress in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District

Community and elected leaders rally behind Gordon as the strongest, most experienced Democrat to defend democracy and defeat David Schweikert

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Mark Robert Gordon, a longtime voting and civil rights advocate, Democratic leader, and union activist, today officially launched his campaign for Congress in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, which includes northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, and Fountain Hills.

“I’m excited to kick off this campaign with a strong team and community behind us,” Gordon said. “I’m grateful to have the support of respected Arizona leaders who believe it’s time for honest leadership. Shameless Schweikert and his pals in Washington are driving America off the cliff, so I’m standing up like so many other Arizonans to do something about that. Last week, Schweikert voted to cut Medicaid for thousands of our hard-working neighbors, raise everyone’s electric bills, and give a $5 billion gift to the drug companies that will make prescription drugs more expensive for us… all while saddling Arizonans with trillions more in debt. Schweikert sold us out. I’m running for Congress because nothing will change in Washington until we replace hacks like Schweikert.”

Gordon grew up in north central Phoenix, the son of a disabled World War II veteran and a public school teacher. He attended Phoenix public schools and put himself through Princeton, Columbia Law and Harvard by working part-time jobs and earning scholarships.

For more than 30 years, Gordon has worked as a voting rights advocate and attorney, leading voter protection efforts nationwide and founding a voting rights organization dedicated to electing pro-democracy leaders. He has even taken that commitment abroad, delivering humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine on three missions.

A small business owner and proud union member for more than three decades, Gordon serves on the Democratic National Committee’s Small Business Council, where he advocates for policies that support workers and small businesses. He also serves on the Arizona AFL-CIO and Maricopa Area Labor Federation boards.

“I was raised to work hard, serve my community and fight for what’s right, and I’ve spent my life doing exactly that,” Gordon said. “I’ve been a Democrat my entire life and made it my mission to fight for everyday people, protect voting rights, and defend democracy at home and abroad. Now I’m running for Congress to finish that fight, for every Arizonan whose future is under attack by Donald Trump and David Schweikert.”

Gordon’s campaign has already earned broad support from community leaders and elected officials.

“This race is our chance to replace an incumbent steeped in scandal and out of touch with our community. Mark Robert Gordon brings the integrity, experience, and determination to win this race,” said Mitzi Epstein, Arizona State Senator and former Arizona Senate Democratic Leader. “As a small business leader, he knows how to grow economic opportunity and unite people to get things done. With our democracy under attack by the Trump administration, we need a leader who will stand up and protect the rights of all Arizonans. Mark is the leader AZ-01 deserves.”

“Mark has been fighting alongside us for voting rights, disability rights, and for our communities,” said Brian Garcia, Arizona State Representative. “Democracy and our economy are crashing down around us without real representation. I’m supporting Mark because we can’t afford to wait when our families are hurting now.”

“I’ve watched Mark lead in our community for years, always standing firm in his values,” said David Lujan, former Arizona State Senator and former Arizona House Democratic Leader. “With Donald Trump attacking democracy, the rule of law, and hardworking Arizona families, we need someone we can trust to fight for us. That’s why I’m supporting Mark, because unlike David Schweikert, he’ll stand up to Trump and put Arizonans first.”

Current list of endorsements:

• Mitzi Epstein, Arizona State Senator and former Arizona Senate Democratic Leader

• Brian Garcia, Arizona State Representative

• David Lujan, former Arizona State Senator and former Arizona House Democratic Leader

• Patty Contreras, Arizona State Representative and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Jackie Thrasher, former Arizona State Representative

• Joe Eddie Lopez, former Arizona State Representative and State Senator, and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Member

• Dr. Linda Thor, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board Member

• Randolph Stephen Lumm, former Maricopa Community Colleges Board President

• Dennis Kavanaugh, former Vice Mayor, City of Mesa

• Jenn Duff, Mesa City Council Member

• Lupe Conchas, Glendale City Council Member and former Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair

• Deborah Cross, Phoenix Union High School Board Member

• Signa Oliver, Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member

• Jacob George, Balsz Elementary School District Governing Board Member

• Jeff Fortney, Cave Creek School District Governing Board Member

• Matt Jewett, former Creighton Elementary District Board Member

• Tim Stringham, former Maricopa County Recorder candidate

The Democratic primary election will be held August 4, 2026.

For more information about the campaign, visit ElectMarkRobertGordon.com or follow us on X, BlueSky, Facebook, and Instagram.

Visit our media page to stay up to date with campaign news, press releases, and media highlights.

Media Contact:

Erik Montaño

Campaign Manager

erik@electmarkrobertgordon.com