We’re bridging divides to ensure peace for all Arizonans. Supported by The Carter Center, the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network (ADRN) welcomes participants from across the political spectrum, from every corner of the state, and from every walk of life.
The ADRN is for dedicated leaders and community members who want to improve the quality of our democracy and who agree with our three principles.
What We Stand For
- Committing to truth in our politics
- Engaging peacefully with our fellow Americans
- Supporting our electoral democracy
Voters and organizations can participate in the network, telling candidates to lead by example to help restore trust in elections. Network members will promote peaceful resolution of disputes and differences through constructive engagement, share proactive messaging that promotes accurate information about our institutions, and counter acts of intimidation through dialogue, conflict-sensitive communication, and rapid response planning.
Want to get in touch? Email drninfo@cartercenter.org!
Principles for Trusted Elections
The Arizona Democracy Resilience Network members will help mobilize support for the Principles for Trusted Elections. Launched in 2022, the nationwide, cross-partisan initiative asks citizens, organizations, and public officials to uphold five core principles of democratic elections. The Principles are:
- Integrity
- Nonviolence
- Security
- Oversight
- Peaceful transfer of power
Our aim is push back on partisanship by asking citizens in every state to support these principles. Leaders from across Arizona’s political spectrum are collaborating with the Arizona DRN to support these principles.
State of Arizona Co-Directors
Don Henninger has been a top media executive and business leader in Arizona for over 35 years, serving in a number of roles at The Phoenix Gazette/Arizona Republic, including managing editor. He then moved on to a 14-year run as publisher/CEO of the Phoenix Business Journal.
Currently he is the founder and executive director of the Scottsdale Coalition of Today & Tomorrow, a non-profit, non-partisan group that works to educate and advocate on issues important to the city’s future. Henninger serves on a number of boards, including Family Promise and Independent News Media. He is the senior warden at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and is on the advisory councils of Scottsdale Leadership and Scottsdale Community College.
Before his election to Congress, Barber was the Director of a five county Head Start agency and then had a 32-year career with the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities serving as Regional Administrator and State Director. He was District Director for Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and Southern Arizona Director for Senator Mark Kelly.
On January 8, 2011, Barber was standing beside Congresswoman Giffords at a constituent event when an assassin shot the congresswoman, Barber and 17 others. Six people were killed. Barber was wounded in the thigh and face. When Congresswoman Giffords resigned from office to focus on her recovery, she asked Barber to run for her seat. He won the special election and took office in June 2012. He won re-election in November 2012.
After Congress, he was appointed to the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council for the Secretary. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for The January 8 Memorial Foundation, CEDO (a bi-national environmental NGO), The Loft Cinema Board, the Migration Policy Institute, End Citizens United and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.