Rimrock's Christine Dargon emerges as state senate candidate
By TONY CAPOBIANCO The Verde Independent Jun 21, 2025
COTTONWOOD — The 2026 election is less than a year away, but a challenger to the incumbency has emerged from the Verde Valley.
Christine Dargon, Ph.D., of Rimrock, spoke during the rally after the “No Kings” march on Saturday at the Cottonwood Fairgrounds and announced her consideration for running for state senate.
The longtime psychologist and public speaker said during her rally speech that democracy “isn’t automatic” and requires constant participation from the public. She referred to the Founding Fathers creating the American system of government as an experiment, one that Benjamin Franklin called “a republic, if you can keep it.”
“Those five words ‘if you can keep it’ weren’t casual,” Dargon said. “They were a warning.
“We march because democracy is under threat, not from foreign enemies, but from those who would concentrate power into their own hands. We march because some would rather choose their voters than let voters choose them through gerrymandering. We march because some make it harder for people to vote, especially in communities that don’t look like them or vote like them. We march because some believe they are above the law and that some believe rules apply to others but not to them.”
She confirmed her candidacy shortly after in an interview with The Verde Independent. Dargon was the co-founder of the Rimrock chapter of Indivisible and helped the Camp Verde chapter of the progressive group to prepare for the rally. The large turnout from the march, and the political climate of today, inspired her to run.
“There are so many incredibly passionate people about politics in this area,” Dargon said, “but there are a lot of people who don’t want to be in the forefront.”
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Dargon plans to run as a Democrat against sitting Sen. Mark Finchem (R-District 1). She said, through canvassing last year, she believes there are enough liberal voters who are largely considered a silent minority in Yavapai County, to stage a credible campaign.
“I think, unfortunately, a lot of people who are Democrats are quiet because they’re the lone wolf,” Dargon said. “I think more and more, we just need to get the word out that the Democrats who are here are not as much of a minority as they think.”
Mark Finchem went from taking part in the march outside the U.S. Capital on Jan. 6, 2021, and failing to be elected Secretary of State to moving to Prescott and defeating Ken Bennett in the Republican Primary for the Legislative District 1 seat in 2024 and then defeating Democrat Mike Fogel in the General Election with 66% of the vote. Dargon said she believes, “there’s a lot more people who will get behind an alternative option that’s moderate.” “The focus is on Arizona,” Dargon said. “I’m passionate about climate, I’m passionate about water, I’m passionate about education. I believe we can also secure the border but do it humanely.”
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Christine Dargon of Rimrock announces bid for state senate seat
By OLIVIA MAILLET The Verde Independent Jun 28, 2025
COTTONWOOD — Christine Dargon has worn many hats throughout her life thus far.
She was a psychologist, then a public speaker and now owns two small businesses – wellness centers – in Rimrock. Now, she wants to add one more hat to the rack: state senator for District 1.
“I can use the term ‘I am running,’ but we have not gotten the signatures yet,” said Dargon.
She grew up in Connecticut and moved to Rimrock in 2009.
“It’s funny because, growing up back East, Yavapai County is the same size as New Jersey,” said Dargon. “It’s a very diverse county.”
Not only does Dargon own two wellness centers in Rimrock, but also, she and a friend, Laura Masters, started the Rimrock chapter of Indivisible the day after the election last November – the group is focused on preserving democracy.
“Without our democracy, all of those other issues are moot points,” said Dargon. On June 14, Dargon and Indivisible chapters around Verde Valley participated in the NO KINGS march in Cottonwood. Dargon was chosen to speak at the rally afterward — this was when she announced that she would be running for the state senate against incumbent state Sen. Mark Finchem. She said it was exhilarating. “I always joke that if I have a mission, just get the hell out of my way,” said Dargon. “But there’s also a lot to learn, so getting help and input from people is valuable. I’m not running for me; I’m running for the people I know. To me, it’s being a voice for a lot of people, so it’s a lot of listening.”
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When Dargon was a licensed psychologist, she did a lot of listening. For her, sometimes the listening led to involving herself in her patients lives to actively help their conditions. In three instances, her involvement in her patients lives violated the American Psychological Association ethical codes; the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice revoked her license for three years and the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners took away her license.
“I want to be honest with what has transpired, professionally, in my background,” said Dargon. “I never have broken the law or anything like that. These were just all deemed as ethical violations. I’ve never harmed anybody, I’ve never murdered anybody, I’ve never slept with a client – those things I would deem really bad. In my opinion, I chose humanity, and to this day, I’d still, regardless of the cost, do what I can to save a life.”
These are the seven key issues that Dargon stands for, all resulting from her listening to the constituents she would represent. Part two will overview her broader-state issues. Indigenous Relations “I think that they are often made to feel that we come to them when we need something,” said Dargon. “What about the other way around?” She said growing up, Indigenous nations were not involved in her community. Now, she lives less than a mile away from the Yavapai Apache Nation. In Yavapai County, they are not only part of the community, but the friends she has made want her to learn about their nations and tribes.
“We isolated the Indigenous folks of this area to dry, desolate, agriculturally difficult land,” said Dargon. “Whether it’s African Americans or Indigenous people, what generations did before, we’re not them. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to do what we can to make their lives better.”
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