Some swing-district Arizona Democrats received an eye-raising endorsement for their reelection bids.
Earlier this month, the Arizona Working Families Party issued its endorsements for state legislative races, giving support to Democrats across the state. Two of the candidates the party endorsed, Mariana Sandoval (LD 23) and Lorena Austin (LD 9), are from competitive districts in the state.
According to its website, the Working Families Party boasts of “building our own party on top of the two-party system in the United States – and it’s working. We organize outside the two parties, and then we recruit and train people-powered candidates up and down the ballot and run them to win.”
The website adds, “Sometimes we run candidates through Democratic Party primaries, and other times we run candidates on our own. We take on elections from city council to U.S. Senate — wherever there’s a path to win, and where winning will advance a people’s agenda, elevate visionary candidates, and help build the multiracial movement we need to win the America we deserve.”
State Representative Lorena Austin is running for reelection in Arizona Legislative District 9, which covers the city of Mesa. According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, the district is likely one of the most competitive in the state, with a 2.6% vote spread in the Commission’s nine focus elections. Democrats are slightly favored in the district, having won in five of those nine focus elections.
Despite her district being more moderate in its political makeup, Austin has demonstrated a propensity to become one of the most extreme leftist members of the Arizona Legislature on almost every issue.
Mariana Sandoval is running for reelection to the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 23. According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, Legislative District 23 has a competitive vote spread of 16.9% between Democrats and Republicans over the past nine state elections. Out of those elections, Democrats have won all nine contests.
The full list of Arizona endorsements from the Arizona Working Families Party are as follows:
Sarah Ligouri
Arizona State House, District 5
Brian Garcia
Arizona State House, District 8
Juan Mendez
Arizona State House, District 8
Junelle Cavero
Arizona State House, District 11
Oscar De Los Santos
Arizona State House, District 11
Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton
Arizona State House, District 21
Mariana Sandoval
Arizona State House, District 23
Cesar Aguilar
Arizona State House, District 26
Quanta Crews
Arizona State House, District 26
Lauren Kuby
Arizona State Senate, District 8
Analise Ortiz
Arizona State Senate, District 24
Jennifer Allen
Pima County Supervisor, District 3
Raquel Terán
U.S. House, State of Arizona, District 3
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A progressive Democrat incumbent legislator is key to her party’s hopes of flipping both chambers in Arizona.
Mariana Sandoval is running for reelection to the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 23. She was first elected in November 2022 and has served alongside Republican Michele Peña in the state House over the past two legislative sessions. In the House, Sandoval is a member of the Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee and the Ways & Means Committee.
On her campaign website, Sandoval proudly promotes endorsements from left-leaning organizations, including, Human Rights Campaign PAC, Save Our Schools Arizona, Living United for Change in Arizona, National Organization for Women Arizona Political Action Committee, Sierra Club, Arizona Education Association, Climate Cabinet, Moms Demand Action, and others.
Over her first term in office, Sandoval has proven that she does not share the values of many of the men and women who she represents. In 2023, she voted no on SB 1063, which would have “prohibit[ed] a city, town or other taxing jurisdiction from levying a transaction privilege tax, sales, use, franchise or other similar tax or fee on the sale of food and certain beverage items intended for home consumption.” After Republicans passed the bill out of both chambers, Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed it, writing, “From potential cuts to service – including public safety – to increased property taxes, it’s clear that this bill doesn’t actually eliminate costs for our residents.”
When Hobbs rejected the proposal, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen blasted her decision in a statement. He said, Senate Republicans have been working toward introducing legislation necessary to provide financial relief to all Arizonans, especially low-income families who are feeling the tremendous burden of inflation. It’s very clear the governor has no interest in helping with that financial burden.”
Sandoval also opposed legislation that protected Arizona’s children. In February, she voted against HB 2586, which would have “add[ed] a new section of statute regulating the publishing and distribution of material harmful to minors on the internet.” Hobbs vetoed this bill, claiming that it went “against settled case law.” Other advocates for the proposal disagreed with Hobbs and her Democrat allies, including Arizona Women of Action. Amid the legislative process, the organization posted, “This nonpartisan bill needs SUPPORT. It would effectively protect AZ kids from accessing pornography. Age verification is a must.”
Terry Schilling, the president of the American Principles Project, also weighed in on the governor’s action. She said, “Up until now, protecting kids from online porn had been a cause with nearly unanimous, bipartisan support. Polls have shown the vast majority of American voters, across the political spectrum, back these laws. Both Democrat and Republican governors in a dozen states from Louisiana to Utah to Virginia have signed this legislation. And many more are on track to join this list shortly.”
This week, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (@katiehobbs) vetoed HB 2586, which would have required that adult websites implement age verification in order to prevent minors from accessing pornographic content. pic.twitter.com/Mb8myTVpdD
Additionally, Sandoval opposed efforts to enhance safeguards for law-abiding Arizonans who have increasingly fallen prey to the rising tide of criminal activity across the state. This year, she voted against SCR 1021, which would “statutorily require an adult who is convicted of a class 2 felony for any child sex trafficking offense to be sentenced to natural life imprisonment.” The measure was passed by the Arizona Legislature and transmitted to the Secretary of State for inclusion on the November General Election ballot.
When the legislation was introduced, Senator Shawnna Bolick, the Republican sponsor of the effort, said, “We believe in holding traffickers accountable for their heinous crimes, and that’s why we’ve filed legislation for a ballot referral to put convicted child sex traffickers behind bars for life. Our message is clear: our children are not for sale, and we will not tolerate heinous crimes against them. Join us in this fight to protect our most precious resource – our children. Perpetrators, not here, not now, not never.”
According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, Legislative District 23 has a competitive vote spread of 16.9% between Democrats and Republicans over the past nine state elections. Out of those elections, Democrats have won all nine contests.
Sandoval will run in November’s General Election alongside Matias Rosales, who emerged from the July 30 Primary Election for the Democrat Party. She obtained 9,194 votes, and Rosales acquired 6,811 votes. James Holmes finished third in the primary, garnering 2,919 votes.
Both Sandoval and Rosales will face off against Peña. In November 2022, Peña had more votes than either of her Democrat opponents with 12,850, compared to 10,101 for Sandoval and 8,030 for Jesus Lugo Jr.
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A Republican embedded in a Democrat-leaning legislative district is key to her party’s chances of retaining control of the Arizona House of Representatives.
Michele Peña is running for re-election for the state House of Representatives in Arizona Legislative District 23. Though the district leans to the left, Peña surprised many in the state by winning a spot in the chamber during the November 2022 General Election. She will attempt to recreate the same strategy and momentum that previously propelled her campaign to victory.
As a member of the Arizona House, Peña serves as the Vice Chairman of the Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, and on the Education and Regulatory Affairs Committees.
In the primary election on July 30, Peña was the only Republican in the race for state House and finished with more votes than her two eventual Democrat opponents (9,597). After her strong finish, she posted, “Dear friends and supporters, I am incredibly grateful for your overwhelming support and for making me the top primary vote-getter in my race. This accomplishment is a testament to the trust and confidence you have placed in me, and I am deeply honored. A special thank you goes out to everyone in Legislative District 23, in Yuma, Maricopa, Pima and the 2 from Pinal. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our success.”
🧵Dear friends and supporters, I am incredibly grateful for your overwhelming support and for making me the top primary vote-getter in my race. This accomplishment is a testament to the trust and confidence you have placed in me, and I am deeply honored.
— Representative Michele Peña (@michelepenaaz) August 10, 2024
The election result wasn’t solely for her benefit as Peña makes clear in her continuing statement: “If this trend continues, we will help maintain our majority, ensuring that our values and priorities are well represented. With your continued support, I am committed to serving you with dedication and integrity, just as I have over the past two years. Together, we can achieve even greater things for our community. Thank you once again for your faith in me.”
If this trend continues, we will help maintain our majority, ensuring that our values and priorities are well represented. With your continued support, I am committed to serving you with dedication and integrity, just as I have over the past two years.
— Representative Michele Peña (@michelepenaaz) August 10, 2024
Peña has a heart for service to her community, which drove her desire to represent the men, women, and children of her district at the Arizona Legislature. On her website, she shares the reason for her motivation to serve, writing, “As the daughter of an immigrant and a resident raised in Yuma with experience in Pima County, love anchors my family in this district. Our priorities are rooted in God, Country, Family, and Community. I’m committed to addressing economic concerns, safeguarding our children, and meeting the unique needs of rural communities.”
The first-term lawmaker adds, “In my role as a representative, I’ve championed these values, winning a write-in race in 2022. I believe in policies that benefit all Arizonans while preserving our freedom and way of life. Your trust and vote for re-election in 2024 would be an honor. God bless Arizona.”
Representative Peña has a heart for the veterans’ community in her district and around the state. Earlier this month, she revealed a meeting with a veteran while campaigning. She said, “As I went door knocking this evening, I met a wonderful veteran who gave me great support. When re-elected, I will continue to work hard for our veterans in the AZ State House.”
— Representative Michele Peña (@michelepenaaz) August 27, 2024
She also recently promised to continue to “keep AZ safe & grow our economy” should voters return her to the state legislature, highlighting, “As your State Rep, I’m fighting for a balanced state budget, secure border, resources for law enforcement, & our local businesses.”
— Arizona Police Association (@AZPoliceAssc) June 19, 2024
On Peña’s campaign website, she lists several priorities for her current and future terms in office. The first is education, where she writes that “Your zip code shouldn’t dictate your future, and I will always advocate for choice and access in education.” The second is agriculture, where she writes that “my family’s long-standing connections to southern Arizona and the agricultural industry have provided me with firsthand insight into these issues.” The third is fiscal responsibility, where she writes that “our children’s future shouldn’t be jeopardized for immediate gains.” The fourth is water, where she writes that “water is the lifeblood of our communities, and I will resist any efforts to diminish or restrict water access for the people of Arizona – especially our farmers.” The fifth is health care, where she writes that “Accessible healthcare is crucial, and individuals should not face exploitation by insurance companies or hospitals.” The final issue Peña addresses is opposing corruption, where she writes that “I stand unabashedly opposed to all forms of corruption in our government.”
According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, Legislative District 23 has a competitive vote spread of 16.9% between Democrats and Republicans over the past nine state elections. Out of those elections, Democrats have won all nine contests.
Peña will run in November’s General Election against Democrats Mariana Sandoval and Matias Rosales, who both emerged from the July 30 Primary Election for the Democrat Party. In July, Sandoval obtained 9,194 votes, and Rosales acquired 6,811 votes. James Holmes finished third in the primary, garnering 2,919 votes.
Both Sandoval and Rosales will face off against Peña, who will again employ the “single shot” strategy on behalf of her party in an attempt to keep the Democrat-leaning seat in Republican hands. In November 2022, Peña had more votes than either of her Democrat opponents with 12,850, compared to 10,101 for Sandoval and 8,030 for Jesus Lugo Jr.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Longtime Republican state lawmaker Frank Pratt died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 79.
“Frank Pratt did it all – public servant, business owner, rancher, farmer and family man,” said Gov. Doug Ducey, who ordered flags at all state buildings lowered to half-half on Wednesday to honor the Florence native. “He was one of the good guys, and we’re lucky he called Arizona home.”
Pratt, who lived in Casa Grande, was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in November 2008 to serve the citizens of what was then Legislative District 23. After district boundaries were redrawn, Pratt went on to win a House seat in November 2012 of what is now Legislative District 8 across parts of Gila and Pinal counties.
In 2016, Pratt handily beat his Democratic Party opponent to serve LD8 as state senator. Then last November, he won election to return to the House.
Pratt earned extra admiration from his fellow Republican caucus members earlier this year for the dedication he showed during the legislative session, participating daily in House business despite his illness.
“The honor, integrity, and high ethic by which he conducted himself in his service is incomparable,” House Speaker Rusty Bowers said Tuesday in announcing Pratt’s passing. “He loved what he did and wouldn’t let anything stop him from doing it. He never quit.”
Pratt chaired a variety of committees at the Legislature, including the House Judiciary, Senate Transportation and Technology, and the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources. He was named Legislator of the Year by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce in 2010, and he enjoyed the support of groups like the National Rifle Association and Fraternal Order of Police over the years.
Among those issuing condolences is the Home Builders Association, which called Pratt “a true statesman who looked out for the interests of Pinal County and above all this great state.” The Greater Phoenix Chamber also weighed in, noting Pratt’s “demeanor, leadership and friendship will be sorely missed at the Capitol.”
A statement from the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association recalled Rep. Pratt’s love for his community and all of Arizona. “We are incredibly grateful for his service and leadership,” the group tweeted. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Janice and his family.”
Sen. T.J. Shope, who served LD8 with Pratt, tweeted that everyone is better off because of his friend’s hard work on behalf of Arizonans.
“Whether it was on his ranch or farm, his successful business, or in the Legislature, he conducted himself with the type of honor & dignity we should all aspire to,” Shope said.
Pratt’s term runs through the end of 2023. In the coming days, the Arizona GOP chairperson will provide formal notice of the vacancy to all elected Republican precinct committeemen (PC) of the Pinal County portion of LD8 where Pratt lived.
Those PCs will have 21 days to nominate three Republican electors who meet the statutory requirements for the seat and who reside in the LD8 area of Pinal County. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors will appoint one of those nominees to fill the remainder of Pratt’s term.
