Another Free-Thinking Arizona Woman Switches Sides
All the time we meet Arizona Women of Action with amazing stories! Many grew up thinking that because they have dark skin or grew up in a minority community, they were expected to think and vote on the Left. It was never a question. It felt almost part of their heritage. … Until they started noticing, questioning, and thinking through the issues.
Recently a well-known conservative, Christopher Rufo, wrote an essay on how he went From Left to Right. He grew up in a family of Italian immigrants--radical communists. He wrote that part of his awakening was finding out that “left-wing politics in the United States is not for the common man or to uplift the downtrodden. It’s about maintaining the elite’s own status and prestige with the institutions.”
Now meet Denise (Bella) Ceballos-Viner, a vibrant woman from the Dominican Republic, who tells an ‘uncommon’ story of an immigrant, long-time progressive who finds their true home on the political Right. Bella left the Left because it was failing her family. Her story is sounding more and more common. ~ Kim
From Dance Teacher to Advocate
Guest Contributor: Denise (Bella) Ceballos-Viner
It all started with my passion for teaching dance to adults and hosting summer dance programs for children and teens. As families approached me with their concerns regarding issues dear to their hearts, that’s when I decided to become their advocate.
My husband is a retired police officer. During his tenure, he served in multiple leadership positions within law enforcement. In the meantime, I was able to assist families with their community safety concerns and raise awareness about drug prevention for their children.
In addition, I prioritized efforts to combat human trafficking and address sex crimes against children, making them integral components of my mission. Subsequently, I was introduced to School Choice. Upon learning about the benefits it provides to students, I became an instant supporter of the program.
For many years I identified as a Democrat. I held a negative perception of the Republican Party due to misinformation propagated by the left, falsely branding Republicans as racists. Thankfully, I did my research and through conversations with conservative friends, my perspective changed!
The turning point for me was when I realized that the Democrat Party does not support School Choice. Furthermore, their divisive rhetoric against law enforcement led me to question their true motives. I saw their intentions of destroying our cities and dividing communities.
In 2020 I firmly told my family “No one is voting Democrat in this house”. I contacted many of my Hispanic friends and urged them to leave the Democrat party. Today, I continue to have the same conversations with others in my community. I notice a growing discontent among Democrats, many are fed up and are voting Republican this upcoming election.
I never anticipated that my dedication to my community would lead to such an amazing transformation. Today, I am committed to educating and empowering our community, and fiercely advocating for policies that benefit us all. I firmly believe in the principles of freedom, in fostering an environment of free enterprise, and in cultivating a brighter future for our children.
I recently became a U.S. citizen, and I am proud to be a Dominican American. As Hispanics, we must embrace the country that welcomed us, while proudly preserving our heritage. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that this country has afforded me, and I've come to realize that my Hispanic heritage aligns with conservative values. We are hard workers; many of us are entrepreneurs. We cherish family, life, freedom and religion.
God has given me the opportunity to be a beacon for others, and through collaboration with like-minded leaders and organizations, we are already making a difference, and must continue being very intentional. We look forward to witnessing the results of our efforts. Mobilizing others is my top priority!
Denise (Bella) Ceballos-Viner
A woman of faith who is not afraid to face adversaries. Bella advocates for families, communities and children. Her focus is enhancing parental rights by providing resources enabling informed decisions to benefit children’s futures. Denise (Bella) ran for the District 8 City Council position to replace Carlos Garcia, who openly shared his anti-police sentiments. Although she did not win, Denise continues to advocate for both the officers and her community.