Ann Kirkpatrick Talks AZ Roots

By Lorin McLain

Ann Kirkpatrick has been campaigning heavily in her bid to unseat John McCain and become the first Democrat to hold a seat for U.S. Senator of Arizona in more than two decades. The 66-year-old Democratic has represented Arizona’s 1st congressional district since 2013, and between 2009 and 2011. She served earlier in the Arizona House of Representatives. She recently answered a few questions that would probably interest readers of AZLatinos.com.

Being born and bred in Arizona, Kirkpatrick says she’s gained an appreciation for the many cultures that are part of the state’s history, and she sees the Latino community as central to the state’s traditions and history. Kirkpatrick says she feels these shared experiences unite Arizonans to find common ground on everything from politics to education and goals for the future. The former attorney credits Latino entrepreneurs for building and supporting Arizona communities, and promoting civil and workers rights.

Kirkpatrick says she loves Hispanic food, and she’s particularly fond of salsa and guacamole. She says she recently visited La Estrella Bakery in South Tucson and saw first hand how they make Mexican bread and treats. During the visit, she talked with employees and customers about issues that matter to them like education for their kids, good paying jobs, and passing comprehensive immigration reform.

She plays fiddle and piano, and she’s particularly enamored with Mariachi music. She says she’s most intrigued with the mixtures of the sounds from the different instruments, and the songs. She hired a mariachi band for her wedding.

The 1st district congresswoman says she has visited Mexico with her family, and used to visit Kino Bay every summer. She says two truckloads of her family traveled to San Carlos where her cousin was marrying a woman from Hermosillo, Sonora. One of her goals is to expand Arizona’s working relationship with Mexico to increase what she says is 31-billion dollars in trade between the two.

Kirkpatrick also says she particularly respects Governor Raul Castro among Hispanic leaders she admires for his accomplishments as Arizona’s first Latino governor. She also says she has great respect for Congressman Ruben Gallego from Phoenix. She admires his service as a Marine and “unwavering commitment to immigration reform.”

Her favorite family tradition is getting up early in the morning with her daughters in the fall in Flagstaff to watch the sunrise. It’s an activity that follows a breakfast of pancakes and trip to the top of the San Francisco Peaks. Its also one that she especially cherishes because of the time spent with her family, especially her grandson.

Kirkpatrick says she loves learning new languages. She says she spoke Apache as a child and currently knows Mandarin and some Navajo.  She’s working to get a better grasp of Spanish.