Beloved Anchor Who Interviewed Multiple Presidents Dies at 75

Frank Camacho, a trailblazing Arizona journalist who helped break barriers for Mexican-American broadcasters and became a trusted voice for decades, has died at 75 after a battle with prostate cancer, his family announced Friday.

Camacho’s death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned more than 40 years, during which he interviewed U.S. presidents, challenged local power brokers, and gave a platform to everyday Arizonans. His family described him as “objective, intelligent, and witty,” and friends remember him as someone who never forgot his roots.

“Frank was more than a journalist — he was a bridge,” longtime colleague Daryn Kagan wrote in a Facebook tribute. “I learned so much from him — about loyalty, morals, and his immense love for family.”

Born and raised in Arizona, Camacho became one of the first Mexican-American news anchors in Phoenix at a time when representation on television was rare. His groundbreaking work at AZ Family not only reshaped the local news landscape but also inspired generations of Latino journalists.

Former coworker Maria Elena Salazar said in a 2008 interview, “Frank made us believe we belonged on the air. He showed us that our voices mattered.”

Camacho’s interviews ranged from the powerful to the personal. He sat down with Presidents Barack Obama and Gerald Ford, but he often said his favorite conversations were with “everyday people” in his community.

After retiring from broadcast journalism in 2012, Camacho brought his communication skills to politics, serving as communications director for the Democratic Party of Arizona. There, he became a key voice during the Obama-Biden years and later helped mobilize Latino voters in the state.

Friends say he watched with frustration as Arizona politics shifted sharply under Trump’s presidency, but he remained hopeful about the power of community engagement. “Frank believed democracy only works if everyone has a voice,” Salazar recalled.

Camacho is survived by his wife, Margie, their six children, and ten grandchildren. His family says he spent his final days surrounded by loved ones and remained deeply involved in mentoring young reporters until the end.

“Frank never stopped caring about Arizona, about its people, and about telling the truth,” Margie said in a brief statement. “That’s the legacy he wanted to leave behind.”

Camacho’s death comes at a time of intense political division in Arizona, a key battleground state under President Donald Trump. As debates over voting rights, immigration, and media integrity heat up, Camacho’s life serves as a reminder of journalism’s power to inform, connect, and inspire.

“Frank gave a voice to the voiceless,” Kagan wrote. “We’ve lost more than a journalist — we’ve lost a champion for truth.”