Carolyn Warner

Carolyn Warner was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to Democratic State Senator U. T. Rexroat and Mary Tullis. In her youth, Warner attended the inauguration of Harry S. Truman, and danced with the President at one of his Inaugural balls.

Warner began her political career by speaking at events for political candidates such as Governor of Oklahoma Roy J. Turner, and Senators Elmer Thomas and Robert S. Kerr when she was 13 years old.

Warner moved to Arizona, and became active in politics after raising six children and helping to run her family's business for 20 years. She first ran for the office of Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, and was elected to her first term as Superintendent in 1974, and took office in 1975. She would be reelected twice more, in 1978 and 1982.

Warner ran in the Democratic primary for United States Senate in 1976, but lost to Pima County, Arizona Attorney Dennis DeConcini.

Warner was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Arizona in 1986, but was defeated by then-State Senator Evan Mecham, who would go on to be impeached from office.

In 1998, Warner received an honorary Doctorate from Northern Arizona University "in recognition of her service to education and the community." Warner was a Congressional appointee to the National Skills Standards Board and was a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business. She was elected as Democratic National Committeewoman for Arizona in 2004 and 2008. Warner was super-delegate for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Since leaving public office, Warner has remained active in party politics, in addition to running an education consulting firm called Corporate Education Consulting, Inc. She is also the author of four books.