At the Phoenix Country Club, community and business leaders gathered on May 6 to honor local Arizonans making a difference in safeguarding democratic processes. One such individual, Susan Bustamante, was awarded the Unsung Hero Award for her steadfast commitment to democracy as a longtime Pinal County poll worker. This recognition came from the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network and Mormon Women for Ethical Government Arizona during the 2025 Civic Champion Dinner, as reported by the Pinal County.
Bustamante's dedication to election integrity was celebrated alongside other recipients of various awards to commend their contributions to strengthening democratic institutions. According to a Pinal County statement, "Susan exemplifies the quiet dedication that makes our democratic system work." Her career in supporting the electoral process began in Southern California and continued through to Las Vegas, where she managed to notably support early voting. Since moving to San Tan Valley, Arizona, in 2021, Bustamante has served as an Election Cycle Temp and has been integral to early ballot processing and tabulation.
In an era when election workers are facing mounting challenges, Bustamante remains resolute. "I keep coming back as a volunteer because I believe deeply in the power of our democracy, and the importance of every vote being counted," she told Pinal County. This year's Civic Champion Dinner not only served to highlight Bustamante's efforts but also showcased other Arizonans contributing to the civic landscape through varied means, including those in nonprofit sectors, business leadership, civic innovation, faith action, and community media.
The evening was critical not just for the recognition of civic champions, but also for reinforcing the importance of democratic resilience in the face of challenges such as election denialism and political violence. "Election workers like Susan Bustamante represent the backbone of our democratic system," remarked Jane Andersen, Arizona State Director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government, in a statement. Andersen highlighted Bustamante's commitment to accuracy, fairness, and transparency which can serve, and indeed does serve, to foster civic trust, as stated by the Pinal County.
Other award recipients included Courtney Osterfelt, John Fees, Adam Goodman, Carlos Alfaro, Dr. Warren H. Stewart, and Ilana Lowery, each celebrated for their unique approach to empowering the community and bolstering democratic norms. Information about the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network and Mormon Women for Ethical Government can be found on their respective websites, as they continue to strive for a just, civic-minded society.
