Marcelino Quinonez

Marcelino Quiñonez is an American politician, educator, and activist who served as a State Representative in the Arizona House of Representatives for District 11. He was appointed to the House in December 2021 to fill a vacancy and was later elected in November 2022. Quiñonez resigned from his position on April 4, 2024, becoming the sixth Democrat to leave the Arizona Legislature that year.124

Early Life and Education

Born in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango, Mexico, Quiñonez was raised in San Jose, California. He graduated from South Mountain High School and went on to earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Arizona State University (ASU) between 2011 and 2014.346

Career

Before entering politics, Quiñonez had a diverse career in education and community service:

• Drama Teacher: He taught at the Arizona School for the Arts.
• Director of Educational Outreach: He worked at ASU from 2018 to 2021.
• Youth Outreach Director: He served at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Arizona from 2016 to 2018.
• Governing Board Member: He was a member of the Roosevelt Elementary School District Board from 2012 to 2016.356

In addition to his educational roles, Quiñonez is also known for his work in theater, having co-authored plays that address social issues.

Political Career

Quiñonez's political career began with his appointment to the Arizona House of Representatives. During his tenure, he served on several committees, including:

• House Appropriations Committee
• Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee
• Joint Legislative Audit Committee.137

His legislative focus included education reform, economic development, immigration reform, and support for disabled individuals.1 After resigning from the legislature, he announced his candidacy for the Phoenix City Council's District 7 seat in the upcoming general election on November 5, 2024.6

Personal Life

Quiñonez is a first-generation college graduate and is passionate about community service and education. He has been recognized with various awards for his contributions to education and community leadership, including ASU's Martin Luther King Jr. Staff Servant-Leadership Award in 2022.6 He has one child named Mia.3

Overall, Marcelino Quiñonez is noted for his commitment to public service and advocacy for educational initiatives within Arizona.