Manuel "Lito" G. Pena, Jr.

Manuel "Lito" G. Peña Jr. (November 17, 1924 - October 12, 2013) was a state legislator and activist in the US state of Arizona. Known informally as the "godfather" of the Democrats in the Arizona Senate, Peña served in the state legislature for 30 years, from 1967 to 1996. He was also remembered for his work in school desegregation and voter registration.

Political career

In 1946, Peña organized the first voter registration drive in Tolleson, raising the number of registered voters from 150 to 750.

Peña began his legislative career in the Arizona House following the 1966 reform that replaced at-large county representation with districts, thus making it possible for Hispanic lawmakers to win office. He switched to the Arizona State Senate in 1972. In total he served from the 28th Arizona State Legislature in 1967 through to the 42nd Arizona State Legislature in 1996.