Manuel Hernandez was born in the small town of Miami, Arizona. Growing up as a "military brat", he traveled the world and different parts of the United States where he experienced the different points of life and the different views of life. He returned to Arizona and attended Glendale Community College and shortly thereafter he enlisted in the United States Army. After serving 9 years in the army, he returned to Arizona to live. He started his political career in 2016 by running for the House of Representative in LD22, at that time, and fought a good race. He then became President of the Northwest Valley Democratic Party and continued for 5 years. With his wife, Margarita, they fight for Democracy every single day and will never give up. He is Honored to be voted in as the new Chair for LD29. He will be doing his best to make the District and Arizona a better place to live.

Jon Mannella is the First Vice Chair for LD 29's Democratic Party. He is passionate about getting Democrats elected to office at all levels. He looks forward to fighting alongside the LD 29 Democrats to defend democracy and to bring about progressive change in Arizona. Jon started his progressive activism in Seattle on the board of the Tenant's Union of Washington State. In Seattle, he was a Precinct Committee Officer, a volunteer for a city councilmember’s re-election campaign, and a delegate for Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Jon and his wife moved to Litchfield Park from Seattle in 2024. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a master’s degree in Communication Leadership from the University of Washington. Outside of politics, he enjoys reading, video games, and watching professional e-sports.

Gail Manahan has been active in the Democratic Party since she was a delegate in high school for the "mock democratic convention" in Portland, Oregon for George McGovern in 1972. Gail moved here from Washington State in 2021 and realized living in a red state after the progressive WA State, she would need to be involved much more deliberately in local politics. Outraged by school shootings, Gail joined MOMS DEMAND ACTION for gun violence prevention in 2021 and then was asked to be the West Valley Lead for the organization. Currently, Gail is the co-lead with Lora Bell and is active in MOMS. Gail participated in the last election with postcard writing, phone banking and also with the UU the Vote with her Unitarian Congregation in Surprise to elect local democrats and Kamala Harris. Gail is a retired mental health therapist and real estate agent, married to her husband Rub, a retired WA state school superintendent. They live in Marley Park, Surprise. Parents of four children (one deceased) and grandparents to four perfect grandchildren. Gail enjoys working, volunteering, writing, and, most of all, being with family and friends. She also volunteers for Better Piggie Rescue in Cave Creek with 185 pigs. Yep, that is correct!

Charlotte Krause is currently Treasurer for LD29 Democratic Party. She is also on the board of the PebbleCreek Democratic Club. Other volunteer efforts include supporting the Goodyear Police Shop with a Cop program via the annual PebbleCreek Home Tour. She resides in Goodyear.

Lynn Peters is a Jersey Girl that spent more of her adult life in Massachusetts. Currently she is the Communications Chair for LD29 Democrats. She and her husband, John, moved to Surprise, Arizona in May 2000. Lynn became active in Democrat politics in 2017 when she became a PC following the first Trump election. She has served as 2nd Vice Chair on the Board of LD22 Democrats prior to redistricting. When LD29 Democrats was formed, Lynn served as former Treasurer and former Chair. Educating voters about Democratic candidates is her priority along with spreading news about Democrat activities. Visiting local tea rooms for Afternoon Tea is her favorite pastime.

Mike and Carol Gontko are members of our Technology Committee, primarily focused on website maintenance. They are also part of the Technology Committee for the Grand Democrats. They retired from their careers in tech, and in 2024 moved from a very blue part of Illinois to The Grand. They are excited to help keep Arizona blue as well!