Local Phoenix and East Valley Leaders Salute the Life of CJ Briggle

This article was cowritten with Jeffrey Tucker

Arizona Democrats lost a giant on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

CJ Briggle, a leading force in what was once Arizona Legislative District 20 and 18, passed away after a brief period of illness.  CJ was known statewide for her effervescent personality and her ebullience in all things political.

CJ was amazing in her ability to rub shoulders with the powerful (Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, among others!), yet she took care to make every individual in the room feel welcome and part of the missions at hand.  A leader with always a smile on her face, CJ fought to make life better for local and statewide Arizona residents either by recruiting candidates for office, helping others in their campaigns, raising money for political efforts, writing Op Eds to the Ahwatukee Foothills News and other periodical news, and being a constant advocate for policies designed to lift people up.

Although CJ never held public office higher than Democratic Precinct Committeeman, she was a powerhouse in the Arizona Democratic Party political structure, serving as Chair of District 20/18 from 2008 to 2012.  CJ led and promoted dozens of fundraising initiatives, hosted countless rallies and gatherings at her home in Ahwatukee, and served as an outspoken member of the Resolutions Committee at the State Party.  CJ was influential in shaping the political landscape of Maricopa County, recruiting candidates for local, city, county, and statewide offices, always encouraging volunteerism and public service in herself and others.

CJ was a stalwart union member for over 30 years, proudly serving the Office and Professional Employees International Union and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).  She was outspoken in her commitment to bettering workers lives and improving work conditions for all.

In her personal life, CJ raised and loved many dogs during her lifetime.  CJ was world-traveled, but she really treasured her Loughlin excursions with friends to play the slots.  She was an avid consumer of red wine, plentiful laughter, and playing card games of euchre, pinochle, and bridge (Notably, CJ even briefly played bridge with Warren Buffet and Bill Gates!).

CJ was inclusive and loving of all walks of life, and a role model to many.

CJ’s official obituary can be found here: https://buelermortuary.com/catherine-jo-briggle/

CJ’s Celebration of Life has not been scheduled yet, but please watch https://www.facebook.com/azld12demsfor more details.

Among the many tributes to CJ Briggle are:

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

“CJ Briggle was an Ahwatukee leader who built communities and brought people together. I join so many who are saddened to learn of her passing this weekend.
Her dedication to bettering her community was unmatched, and Phoenix is a better place because of her work. We are lucky to have had her touch our lives.”

 Arizona Legislative District 18 State Representative Mitzi Epstein

“CJ’s smile made everybody around her smile too. She was a force of friendliness! She made our community an even better place, with her heartfelt care for others and her determination to make a difference.”

 Arizona Legislative District 18 State Representative Jennifer Jermaine

“Deeply saddened by the loss of CJ Briggle. She was an organizer extraordinaire for the East Valley wing of the Democratic Party. CJ was a force and will be greatly missed. May she rest in power.”

 Arizona Legislative District State Senator Sean Bowie

“CJ was in many ways the heart and soul of our LD18 community and we will all miss her dearly. I will share more details and information on a memorial service when we have them.”

Former Maricopa County Democratic Part Head Steven Slugocki

“She was a tremendous leader who dedicated her life to making a difference. She will be missed.”

 Kyrene School Board Member Kevin Walsh

“CJ was an institution. A caring friend, a passionate advocate, and a surrogate mother to us all. And funny, dang was she funny! She was one of a kind in every way, and she will be deeply missed.”

 Keith Denison

“I met CJ when she was working on a campaign to get another Democrat elected (one of countless dozens of such campaigns she has supported or spearheaded.)

 Come to find out she was my neighbor a mere three minute walk away. CJ got me involved in LD18 democrat activism by exposing me to district meetings, door-to-door candidate support and phone banking. By the time that campaign ended we were very close friends. She convinced me to host numerous volunteer events for the district.

 What is most valuable is that she and I shared hundreds of personal dinner gatherings and day trips as friends. From our small comfy book club to steak cookouts CJ was the driver and focal point of the adventure. She is an endlessly optimistic person that I could only hope to have a small percentage of her positivity. She will certainly carry that forward in her new journey whatever that may entail.“

Jeffrey Tucker

“I loved and cherished CJ Briggle.  Her network of contacts and influence in Arizona politics was seemingly unparalleled.  I hope to aspire to even a fraction of her greatness, kindness, and optimism in my lifetime.  You were a treasured friend and I will miss you and your heartfelt hugs immensely, CJ Briggle!”

Joseph Seelye

“CJ’s electric personality, knack for seeing the good in everything, and her unfaltering support for Democratic values will greatly be missed.”

Teri McClintock

“C.J. was so warm and welcoming to me when I first joined LD18. She filled the entire room with her love and enthusiasm! This is such a loss for all of us and the Democratic Party!”

Roberta Neil Miller

“CJ was a bright light, and the world has become a little dimmer without her in it.”

Marion and Paul Weich

“She was a wonderful inspiration to us all! She made everyone feel like they were so valued and she had the very best smile. I know she is looking over the Biden interns in Washington D.C. right now! So, if you see things turning around for the better in Washington D. C. you will know why!”

Ellen Colangelo

“CJ made all of us feel that we were special to her and I really believe we were. She had the capacity to love all of us and to share a piece of herself with each and every one of us. Like all of you, I am heartbroken.”

Sheila Scanlan

“Woke up to the sad news that we lost our friend CJ Briggle. CJ breathed life into every room she walked into. I aspire to be as social and friendly and as committed to our grassroots issues as CJ Briggle Rest in Power my friend. We are all going to miss you tons!”

 Suzanne Whitaker

“[CJ was] so full of life, so funny, so generous, so kind, so committed to making our community better. She and I were bonded by our love of red wine, Ohio roots, humor, and…she was the kind of person anyone instantly felt a kinship. She made you feel like you belonged always. The Great Connector.

 I will always remember her passion for doing good, making good change, drawing out the very best in others, supporting each one of us in whatever way she could…CJ, you are irreplaceable. Can’t imagine you “resting” but rest in peace, my friend.”