House Member

Home City: Phoenix
Occupation: Teacher
House Member: 2011-present
Senate Member: 1977-1995

Representative Lela Alston is a native Arizonan and a proud product of our state's public education system, from kindergarten to graduate school. She has been a steadfast advocate for public schools, improving the welfare of children and families, and the equity of civil rights for all Arizonans throughout her career as a teacher and lawmaker.

In 2017, Representative Alston began her 25^th year in the Arizona State Legislature. From 1977 through 1995, Representative Alston served as an Arizona State Senate; she was a member of the Appropriations Committee throughout her years in that chamber. She also served on the Education, Rules, Government, Commerce, Labor, Judiciary and Transportation Committees, and was part of the Senate Democratic Leadership team for 14 years. At the encouragement of Arizona legislators and community advocates, Representative Alston ran for the Arizona House of Representatives in 2010; she won that election and is now in her fourth term representing Legislative District 24 — Central Phoenix and South Scottsdale.

Representative Alston is one of Arizona's most respected champions of public education. She has been a member of the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board since 2008 and severed as Board President in 2015 and 2016; she also taught in the district for over 34 years. Representative Alston was an instrumental voice in the planning of the ASU West Campus and she spearheaded the efforts to establish Metro Tech High School's licensed primary care facility in partnership with Banner Health Care.

Representative Alston is the recipient of numerous awards throughout the years. She is most proud of being honored with the 2015 O'Connor Institute Statesman of the Year Award, being recognized as an Honorary State Firefighter, receiving the Girl Scouts 2002 World of Children Award and the naming of Lela Alston Elementary School in the Isaac School District.

Representative Alston currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, Education Committee, Appropriations Sub-committee on Education, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Joint Committee on Capital Review.

Accessible and affordable public education that prepares Arizona's young people for 21^st Century careers, improving the lives of children and families and defending the civil rights of all of Arizona's citizens continue to be her priorities as a state legislator.

Representative Alston is the mother of 2 and the grandmother of 6 exceptional young people. She is the proud owner of a 1929 Normandy revival home in downtown Phoenix and a 1956 pink Thunderbird convertible—two projects that keep her busy during her spare time.