Meet Our Staff

Patrick McWhortor

Campaign Director

Patrick is the Arizona Campaign Director for Open Primaries. A resident of Arizona for nearly 35 years, Patrick is well-known as a nonprofit leader, both locally and nationally. He launched and led the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits for ten years, growing it into a vibrant network of nonprofits and their supporters. During his tenure, he also served on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Nonprofits, including two years as Chairman.

Patrick has also formed, served and led other nonprofit organizations, including NPower Arizona, Libraries for the Future, and Data Network for Human Services. He was a lobbyist in the early 1990’s for education and environmental groups. And he has served on numerous nonprofit boards in Arizona. Currently, he is a Board Member for Arizona Town Hall. Patrick is a Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellow and member of Valley Leadership.

Patrick teaches nonprofit leadership, public policy and political science courses at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Maricopa Community Colleges. He graduated from ASU with both a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. Patrick and his wife raised three boys in Cave Creek, where they live today.

Armida Lopez

Director of Latino Outreach

Armida is the Latino Outreach Coordinator at Open Primaries in AZ.  She has worked for various non-profits in AZ, most recently working for Arizona’s Children Association to help them launch a statewide mentoring program for youth aging out of foster care.  Armida has been an advocate in the child welfare arena and has helped many Arizona families acquire services they need in mental and behavioral health.  She has a passion for making change on a macro scale.  She hopes to influence our political system to represent everyone including our most vulnerable populations.   

Armida is a native of Arizona.  She grew up on the border of AZ and Sonora and is proud of her Mexican heritage.  Armida moved to Phoenix, AZ for college and has resided there for the past 10 years.  She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Infant and Family Practice, and Master’s of Social Work with a concentration in Policy, Advocacy, and Communities from Arizona State University.