Carmen Fernandez Cajero

Legislative Resolution

View Legislative Resolution File for Carmen Fernandez Cajero

Biographical Information

Rep. Bernardo "Nayo" Cajero died January 14, 1973 and he was replaced by his wife, Carmen F. Cajero who was appointed as Representative for District 10.  She took the oath of office January 29, 1973 (Journal of the House of Representatives, 31st Legislature, 1st Regular Session, 1973, vols. 1-2, pp. 138-139)

According to her obituary, Rep. Cajero "championed legislation that provided free textbooks to Arizona high-school students."  The textbook idea was born when Carmen's husband, Bernardo M. Cajero, who was president of the Pueblo High School Parent-Teacher Association, would go to children's homes to find out why they weren't at school.  He found that many kids weren't going to school because they didn't have the money to buy textbooks, so they dropped out of high school.  (Pitzl, Mary Jo. “Former Arizona Lawmaker Left Legacy of Caring, Contributing Via Legislation.”  The Arizona Republic, April 15, 2007, p. B4)  The following is from the Legislative death resolution for the Honorable Carmen Cajero:

The Honorable Carmen Cajero, a member of the Arizona House of Representatives for twenty-four years, passed away on April 1, 2007.

Carmen Cajero was born on October 28, 1915 in Morenci, Arizona to Adolpho and Aja Gabina Fernandez.  Carmen married Bernardo "Nayo" Cajero after their graduation from Morenci High School.  They settled in the Tucson area where they raised two daughters and were active in their community. Carmen worked in public service, first for the Tucson school system and later for the Department of Motor Vehicles.  Carmen and her husband became interested in politics, and in 1968 Bernardo was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives. Carmen accompanied him to Phoenix during the session, and during the long commute to and from the Capitol they spent many hours discussing legislation, issues and the needs of constituents.

In 1973, Bernardo died unexpectedly in office.  Carmen and Bernardo had been married thirty-seven years.  Carmen Cajero was appointed to finish his legislative term, channeling her grief into productive work.  Her constitutents continued to reelect her to the House of Representatives every two years, and she served ably in this capacity until her retirement in 1996.  Among her notable accomplishments was her sponsorship of legislation that ended the practice of requiring Arizona's schoolchildren to pay for their own textbooks.  Carmen Cajero was also diligent in protecting the interests of the University of Arizona in legislative budget negotations, and she was instrumental in the creation of the state's first bone marrow program at the university's medical center.

Carmen Cajero enjoyed her job and the many people she met on a daily basis.  She served on numerous committees and was a member in good standing of the National Order of Women Legislators, the Democrats of Greater Tucson and State Women Legislators.  Her position as a legislator led her to serve on the Alcoholism Council of Tucson and several other worthwhile committees.

Dedicated to her family, Carmen Cajero is survived by her two daughters, Representative Olivia Cajero Bedford and Monica Cajero, and her two grandchildren, Tara and Travis Bedford....

Education

Diploma: Morenci High School, (n.d.)

Additional Information

LEGISLATIVE FAMILY (Yellow Sheet Report (Arizona Capitol Times), May 25, 2011):  Wife of Rep. Bernardo Cajero and mother of Sen. Olivia Cajero Bedford

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth and maiden name: Arizona Legislative Biography sheet "Carmen Fernandez Cajero" parents:  Adolfo Hernandez and Gavina Aja; Death: location based on last residence noted in the SSDI.  It was not mentioned in obituaries:  Howard Fischer. "Veteran legislator Carmen Cajero dies."  Arizona Daily Star, April 3, 2007, p. B 1 or Pitzl, Mary Jo. “Former Arizona Lawmaker Left Legacy of Caring, Contributing Via Legislation.”  The Arizona Republic, April 15, 2007, p. B4 or in the funeral notice:  Arizona Daily Star, April 11, 2007, p. B 6 

Education: 1996 Guide to the Legislature (Greenbook)