Meet Irene
Hello, I’m Irene Armendariz, candidate for U.S. Congress District 16 in El Paso, Texas. A wife to a Border Patrol Agent and Veteran, a mother to 3 beautiful daughters, a grandmother to 4 precious grandchildren, a small business owner, and a first-generation American to Mexican immigrants; naturalized citizens, and a firm believer in the American dream.
GET TO KNOW IRENE
GROWING UP IN EL PASO
A lifelong El Paso resident with deep roots in both El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, and born to Ernesto and Graciela Armendariz, Mexican immigrants who became naturalized citizens of the United States. Irene learned from them the values of faith, strong family ties, and hard work. Her father was employed in drywall construction and her mother earned both a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s in Social Work, dedicating her career to working in the Pediatrics Department at Texas Tech Medical Center. The Armendariz family did not expect anyone to give them a handout; they believed in working to create their own opportunities.
FAMILY LIFE
Irene and her husband, Bill, have been married for 27 years. Bill is a veteran of the United States Navy and has been with the United States Border Patrol for 24 years, serving as a Patrol Agent and as Chaplain. They have three beautiful daughters and three delightful grandchildren. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, Irene is committed to promoting strong family and moral values. Irene learned early in life the lengths parents will go to give the next generation a greater opportunity to live the American Dream, a lesson that has impacted her own family.
EDUCATION
Irene attended public schools in El Paso and graduated from Burges High School. She received an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Howard Payne University and has earned a Master’s Degree in Government with a concentration in Law and Public Policy from Regent University.
POLITICS AND COMMUNITY
In 2018 Irene served as the Constituency Leader and Domestic Policy Advisor, while also helping with Communications and Strategic Planning for the Republican Candidate in the District 16 campaign. Along side fighting for several policies and issues that are most important to all of us, Irene is currently working with organizations that address human trafficking, which victimizes and preys on women and children, the most vulnerable among us. She is enthusiastically building partnerships between government and the faith community and providing much needed resources for those struggling during these unprecedented times in our community.
