Who is running in Maricopa County, Arizona in 2026
- Clerk of the Superior Court
- Sebastian Seb Maximiliano Matta and Jeff Dial
- Justice of the Peace, San Marcos Precinct
- Jennifer Jermaine and J.D. Mesnard
- Community College Governing Board, At-Large
- Judy Schwiebert and John David Crow
- Mesa Public Schools Governing Board
- Jennifer Echols, Joshua Chilton, Rachel Walden and Jason Smithson
- Deer Valley Unified Governing Board
- Julie Stockwell, David Alvarado, Kristi Cooper and Paul Carver
- Peoria Unified Governing Board
- Melissa Ewing, Heather Rooks and Desiree Byrne
- Paradise Valley Unified Governing Board
- Kea Carota, Richard Ross and Catherine Barrett
- Scottsdale Unified Governing Board
- Jennifer Johnson, Amy Carney and Jeanne Beasley
- City of Phoenix City Council, District 2
- Julie Read, Danny Mazza and Matt Evans
- City of Phoenix City Council, District 4
- Ed Hermes, Megan Schmitz, Patricia Jimenez, Michael Mazzocco, Robb Olivieri, Ashley Harder, Zachary Lauer and Cassandra Hernandez
- City of Phoenix City Council, District 6
- Kevin Robinson and Michael Del Prete
- City of Phoenix City Council, District 8
- Kesha Hodge Washington, Jarrett Barton Maupin Jr. and Frank Abasciano Jr.
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Katie Hobbs / John Giles, Andy Biggs / Sine Kerr, Risa Lombardo / Lisa Castillo and Teri Hourihan / Angela Harrolle Mohan
- Secretary of State
- Adrian Fontes, Alexander Kolodin and Duwayne Collier
- Attorney General
- Kris Mayes and Warren Petersen
- State Treasurer
- Nick Mansour and Elijah Norton
- Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Teresa Leyba Ruiz and Kimberly Yee
- State Mine Inspector
- Brian Matlock and Les Presmyk
- Corporation Commission
- Jonathon Hill, Clara Pratte, Kevin Thompson, Ralph Heap and Mike Cease
- U.S. House, District 1
- Amish Shah, Jay Feely and Monica Alponte
- U.S. House, District 3
- Yassamin Ansari, Alan Aversa and David Redkey
- U.S. House, District 4
- Greg Stanton, Zuhdi Jasser and Tisha Benoit
- U.S. House, District 5
- Elizabeth Lee and Mark Lamb
- U.S. House, District 7
- Adelita Grijalva and Daniel Butierez
- U.S. House, District 8
- Bernadette Greene-Placentia and Abraham Hamadeh
- U.S. House, District 9
- Danielle Sterbinsky and Paul Gosar
- State Senate, District 2
- Amelia Gallitano and Shawnna Bolick
- State House, District 2
- Stephanie Simacek, Justin Wilmeth and Paul Carver
- State Senate, District 4
- Aaron Lieberman and Carine Werner
- State House, District 4
- Karen Gresham, Tammy Caputi, Matt Gress and Pamela Carter
- State Senate, District 9
- Kiana Sears and Bridget Fitzgibbons
- State House, District 9
- Lorena Austin, Jacob Martinez and Bradley Bettencourt
- State Senate, District 13
- Kristie O'Brien and Julie Willoughby
- State House, District 13
- Racquel Armstrong, Jacob Weinberg, Janet Weninger and Kevin Hartke
- State Senate, District 23
- Brian Fernandez and Michelle Altherr
- State House, District 23
- Mariana Sandoval, Emilia Cortez, Michele Peña and Gary Snyder
Maricopa County
Most county offices (supervisors, sheriff, county attorney, recorder) aren't up again until 2028. This year the county ballot has the Clerk of the Superior Court, justices of the peace and constables, and the community college board. Partisan races show a party; the college board is nonpartisan.
Clerk of the Superior Court
Vote for oneOpen seat. The clerk keeps the court's records and runs filings for divorce, probate and other cases.
Sebastian Seb Maximiliano Matta
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratWants probate cases to be started online and plans self-help guides and staff interpreters in languages like Spanish, Urdu and Haitian Creole. Endorsed by the LD12, LD14 and LD27 Democratic clubs.
Sources: State Press, Campaign site, LD12 Democrats, LD14 Democrats
Jeff Dial
Compromised RepublicanSays the office "is not about politics." Endorsed by Tea Party AZ and the LD28 Republicans, and veterans' groups questioned his Army Reserve record during his 2015 and 2016 campaigns.
Sources: Clean Elections guide, Ballotpedia, LD28 Republicans, Arizona Capitol Times, Wikipedia
Justice of the Peace, San Marcos Precinct
Vote for oneChandler area. Justice courts handle evictions, small claims and traffic cases. This is the only contested justice of the peace race in the county.
Jennifer Jermaine
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratIn the Legislature she founded and chaired the state study committee on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Says she listens "to all sides" before ruling; endorsed by the LD13 Democrats.
Sources: Maricopa County, Campaign site, LD13 Democrats
J.D. Mesnard
Compromised RepublicanAs speaker he started the investigation that led to Rep. Don Shooter's 2018 expulsion for harassment. Endorsed by the Arizona Multihousing Association, the landlords' group, for a court that hears evictions, and in 2021 sponsored a bill requiring ID with mail ballots.
Sources: LegiStorm, PBS NewsHour, AZ Multihousing Assn., KTAR
Community College Governing Board, At-Large
Vote for oneNonpartisan. The board oversees the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges.
Judy Schwiebert
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratTaught at Cactus and Greenway high schools and co-founded the community theater group Theater Works. Endorsed by the colleges' faculty association PAC and the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council.
Sources: Ballotpedia, MCC Faculty Association, Campaign site
John David Crow
Not good people RepublicanWants to keep tuition low, expand job training and bring back junior college football. Has the LD3 Republicans' endorsement in this nonpartisan race, plus the colleges' police officers association.
Sources: Vote411, Campaign site, AZ Votes Red
Other college and health district seats
Not profiledAlso on some ballots and not rated: Community College District 3 (William "Bill" Sandweg, Susan Hightower Winder), District 4 (Ryan Caracciolo, Donna J. Davis, Jack Hastings), and the Special Health Care District, which runs Valleywise Health: District 3 (Angel B. Algarin, Kelly J. Barr) and District 4 (Jolynn Herber, Woody Thomas). Every other justice of the peace and constable race has one candidate.
Superior Court judges (retention)
Not profiledYes or no on keeping 48 Superior Court judges: Brad Astrowsky, Michael C. Blair, John Blanchard, Robert Ian Brooks, Sunita A. Cairo, Michelle Carson, Gregory S. Como, Katherine (Kay) Margaret Cooper, Max-Henri Covil, Kristin R. Culbertson, Marvin L. Davis, Monica N.B. Edelstein, Geoffrey H. Fish, Dewain Fox, Jillian Francis, Marischa Gilla, Jennifer E. Green, Lauren R. Guyton, Melody G. Harmon, Michael J. Herrod, Charlene D. Jackson, Melissa I. Julian, Amy Michelle Kalman, Joseph Kiefer, Ronee Korbin Steiner, Joseph C. Kreamer, Kerstin LeMaire, Daniel G. Martin, Julie Mata, Steven Warren McCarthy, Frank William Moskowitz, Sam J. Myers, Suzanne M. Nicholls, Colleen O'Donnell-Smith, Jay M. Polk, Michael Z. Rassas, Joshua D. Rogers, Jeffrey Rueter, Jennifer Ryan-Touhill, Aryeh D. Schwartz, Danielle J. Viola, Randall H. Warner, Joseph C. Welty, Roy "Chuck" Whitehead, Paula Williams, William R. Wingard, Cassie Bray Woo and Melissa Zabor. We haven't profiled judges yet. The state's Judicial Performance Review commission rates each one at azjudges.info.
School boards
School board races are nonpartisan. We cover five of the largest districts with contested races; dozens of other districts also have board seats or bond and override questions on the ballot. Chandler Unified has no board race this year because only two people filed for two seats.
Mesa Public Schools Governing Board
Vote for twoTwo seats. Echols and Chilton are both backed by the teachers' association and Save Our Schools Arizona.
Jennifer Echols
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) ProgressiveSays "every decision should begin and end with student success" and wants to protect classroom programs in budget cuts. Endorsed by the Mesa Education Association, Save Our Schools Arizona and the Mesa Chamber.
Sources: ASU, Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Mesa Chamber
Joshua Chilton
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) ProgressiveWants a district plan to cut teacher workloads and expand help for students with disabilities. Endorsed by the Mesa Education Association and Save Our Schools Arizona.
Sources: Your Valley, Your Valley, Vote411
Rachel Walden
Compromised RepublicanHolds two elected offices at once. In September 2026 she turned off comments and deleted criticism on her official social media page. Endorsed by the Mesa Chamber.
Sources: Arizona Corporation Commission, Ballotpedia, Facebook, Mesa Chamber
Jason Smithson
Not enough info UnknownSays he would focus on "restoring financial stability," more parent involvement, and less classroom technology in favor of "books, papers, and pen." Little else is public.
Sources: Ballotpedia
Deer Valley Unified Governing Board
Vote for twoTwo seats. We picked only Stockwell. Cooper and Carver took Republican Party endorsements in this nonpartisan race, and we don't know enough about Alvarado.
Julie Stockwell
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) ProgressiveVolunteered to pass the district's 15% budget override and says her priorities are school funding, reading gaps and keeping teachers. Endorsed by the Deer Valley Education Association, Save Our Schools Arizona and Equality Arizona.
Sources: DVUSD, Campaign site, Arizona List, Vote411, Ballotpedia
David Alvarado
Not enough info ConservativeSon of Mexican immigrants who says schools should teach kids "how to think, not what to think." Runs on the slogan "The Power Back to the Parents."
Sources: DVUSD, AZ Voter Guide
Kristi Cooper
Not good people RepublicanWants smaller classes and opposes building new schools while 13 run below capacity. Endorsed by the LD28 Republicans and AZGOP Legislative District 3 in this nonpartisan race.
Sources: DVUSD, Campaign site, LD28 Republicans, AZ Votes Red
Paul Carver
Not good people RepublicanEndorsed by the LD28 Republican Party and the NRA. Voted to put police resource officers in schools and against a McGraw Hill social studies curriculum.
Sources: iVoterGuide, Tennessee Star, Ballotpedia
Peoria Unified Governing Board
Vote for twoTwo seats, but we picked only Ewing. Rooks and Byrne are both on Turning Point Action's slate and the LD28 Republicans' "Golden Ticket."
Melissa Ewing
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) ProgressiveSaid the district should follow Arizona standards and use peer-reviewed materials when federal orders targeted school curricula. Endorsed by Save Our Schools Arizona.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ballotpedia, Your Valley, Ballotpedia
Heather Rooks
Not good people RepublicanSued her own district in 2023 after being warned against reading Bible verses at board meetings. Endorsed by Turning Point Action and listed on the LD28 Republicans' "Golden Ticket."
Sources: FFRF, Arizona Daily Independent, Your Valley, LD28 Republicans
Desiree Byrne
Not good people RepublicanSays she would focus on reading, math and science scores and tight budgets. Endorsed by Turning Point Action, Moms for Liberty and the LD28 Republicans' "Golden Ticket."
Sources: Your Valley, AZ Voter Guide, Your Valley, LD28 Republicans
Paradise Valley Unified Governing Board
Vote for twoTwo seats in north Phoenix and Scottsdale. Carota and Ross have the teachers' association behind them.
Kea Carota
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) ProgressiveA parent leader running on public schools, teacher pay and safe campuses. Endorsed by the Paradise Valley Education Association and Save Our Schools Arizona.
Sources: Campaign site, Your Valley, Campaign site
Richard Ross
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) ProgressiveRuns on "Students First Always." Endorsed by the Paradise Valley Education Association, the Arizona Education Association, Save Our Schools Arizona and the LD3 Democrats.
Sources: Campaign site, Campaign site, iVoterGuide
Catherine Barrett
Compromised ConservativeWants "meaningful educational choices" for parents. Endorsed by state superintendent Tom Horne and Stand for Health Freedom.
Sources: AZ Voter Guide, iVoterGuide
Scottsdale Unified Governing Board
Vote for twoTwo seats, but we picked only Johnson. Beasley and Carney run as a conservative ticket; neither earns a pick.
Jennifer Johnson
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) Center-leftSupports the district's $375 million bond for security, technology and repairs. Endorsed by the Scottsdale Education Association.
Sources: Your Valley, Your Valley, Parents Pay Attention
Amy Carney
Compromised ConservativeVoted against closing Pima Elementary and Echo Canyon in December 2025. Has gone on conservative broadcasts to criticize the superintendent and the district's gender policies.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KTAR, AZ Digital Free Press
Jeanne Beasley
Compromised ConservativeRan in 2024 on the conservative "Just Be Honest" slate. Wants neighborhood schools kept open and a police officer on every campus, and pulled out of a Chamber candidate forum in September with Carney.
Sources: Your Valley, Copper Courier, Campaign site, Your Valley
City of Phoenix elections
Council races are nonpartisan, and only Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 vote this year. If no one gets a majority, the top two meet in a runoff on March 9, 2027. Phoenix has no city propositions on this ballot. Chandler elected its mayor in July.
City Council, District 2
Vote for oneNorth Phoenix. All three lean right; Read is the only one without Turning Point Action's backing.
Julie Read
Compromised (best choice in this race) ConservativeCo-founded BlockWatch Phoenix North and says roads, water and fire protection must keep up with growth. Endorsed by the firefighters' union, the police sergeants' and lieutenants' PAC and Republican Rep. Justin Wilmeth.
Sources: Ballotpedia, PlayPOTUS, Campaign site, Civoren
Danny Mazza
Compromised ConservativeWants to fill 600 police vacancies and bring back quarterly bulk-trash pickup. Endorsed by Turning Point Action and County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.
Sources: PlayPOTUS, Turning Point Action
Matt Evans
Not good people ConservativeFounded "Take Back Phoenix" to recruit conservative council candidates and is endorsed by Turning Point Action. Wrote in December 2025 that "most of these homeless belong in jail."
Sources: State Press, Ballotpedia, Turning Point Action, Phoenix New Times
City Council, District 4
Vote for oneOpen seat in central Phoenix, with eight candidates. Several are decent; Hermes has the deepest record of standing up for tenants and civil rights.
Ed Hermes
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) ProgressiveHas represented tenants facing eviction for free and worked on the civil rights case against former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO, LUCHA and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Campaign site, Arizona AFL-CIO, Ballotpedia, Planned Parenthood Advocates
Megan Schmitz
Seems like good people ProgressiveWorked eight years for council members Laura Pastor and Tom Simplot and chaired One n Ten, which supports LGBTQ+ youth. Endorsed by Democratic Municipal Officials.
Sources: PlayPOTUS, Arizona List, Ballotpedia
Patricia Jimenez
Seems like good people Center-leftHas served 23 years on her neighborhood school board. Endorsed by Arizona List.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Arizona List
Michael Mazzocco
Seems like good people Center-leftA citizen of the Delaware Nation who would be the first Native American elected to the council. Endorsed by the Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund.
Sources: PlayPOTUS, Ballotpedia, Ballotpedia
Robb Olivieri
Not enough info UnknownHelped build real-time shelter bed tracking with the city's homeless office. Little public record on city issues.
Sources: Campaign site, AZ Italian Chamber
Ashley Harder
Compromised Center-leftA developer who wants zoning changes to allow more condos, duplexes and infill. Endorsed by former Mayor Phil Gordon and Arizona List.
Sources: Arizona List, PlayPOTUS, Campaign site
Zachary Lauer
Not enough info ConservativeRuns on "Back the Blue" and a crackdown on encampments, paired with mental health support. No record to judge.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Vote411
Cassandra Hernandez
Compromised UnknownIn 2025 she and her mother, Rep. Lydia Hernandez, brought a box cutter into Maryvale High to test its weapon detectors, drawing calls to resign. Both were sued that year over serving on the same school board.
Sources: Ballotpedia, FOX 10, Arizona Capitol Times
City Council, District 6
Vote for oneKevin Robinson
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) CenterVoted for the city's prevailing wage rule in 2024 and the Community Transparency Initiative on policing and immigration enforcement in 2026. Endorsed by Mayor Kate Gallego.
Sources: City of Phoenix, Campaign site, City of Phoenix, UA Local 469, State Press
Michael Del Prete
Compromised ConservativeSays city housing and benefits should go to lawful residents before undocumented migrants. Endorsed by Turning Point Action, Doug Ducey and Senate President Warren Petersen.
Sources: PlayPOTUS, AZ Voter Guide, Campaign site, Turning Point Action
City Council, District 8
Vote for oneHodge Washington has business and landlord-group backing, but she is the best choice here.
Kesha Hodge Washington
Compromised (best choice in this race) Center-leftThe first Black woman on the Phoenix council. Endorsed by Arizona List, the Greater Phoenix Chamber PAC and the apartment owners' Multihousing Association PAC.
Sources: Arizona PBS, Ballotpedia, AZ Multihousing Assn., Ballotpedia, Scottsdale Signal
Jarrett Barton Maupin Jr.
Not good people ConservativePleaded guilty in 2009 to lying to the FBI and was indicted in 2026 on nine felony counts tied to alleged check fraud. Blames "woke nonprofits" and wants 5,000 police officers.
Sources: PlayPOTUS, AZ Voter Guide
Frank Abasciano Jr.
Not enough info UnknownWe found no public record on him.
State and federal
Maricopa County is split among seven congressional districts and many legislative districts. Check your sample ballot to see yours. We cover the five most competitive legislative districts in the county (2, 4, 9, 13 and 23); each elects one senator and two House members.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Vote for oneArizona elects its first lieutenant governor this year, on a joint ticket with the governor. Two write-in Republicans, Gertritrude Gonzalez and Alice Novoa, are also running for governor.
Katie Hobbs / John Giles
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratPicked Giles, a longtime Republican who became an independent in May 2026 and spoke at the 2024 Democratic convention against what he called "the cult of Donald Trump." Says she works "across the aisle to get things done," and is endorsed by Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego.
Sources: PBS NewsHour, KJZZ, Campaign site, Wikipedia
Andy Biggs / Sine Kerr
Not good people RepublicanHelped lead the push to keep Trump in office after he lost in 2020, and Trump endorsed him ("He is GREAT!!!"). Wants to make Arizona the "Florida of the West" and end the state income tax. Kerr sponsored a 2021 bill to ban nearly all abortions with criminal penalties for doctors.
Sources: Cronkite News, Wikipedia, Wikipedia (Kerr)
Risa Lombardo / Lisa Castillo
Compromised GreenThe Arizona Green Party disowned both as "sham candidates" meant to pull votes from Hobbs and asked to have them removed from the ballot. The state Clean Elections Commission is investigating whether her campaign faked donor records to collect $2.8 million in public money; a judge threw out her suit to stop it.
Sources: Hoodline, Arizona Green Party, Wikipedia
Teri Hourihan / Angela Harrolle Mohan
Not enough info No LabelsRunning on cleaning up state agencies, saying "what's happening in Arizona is a level of corruption that is hurting a lot of people." Faults Hobbs on the cost of living and Biggs for his partisan record. No record in office to judge.
Sources: KTAR, Your Valley
Secretary of State
Vote for oneThe secretary of state runs Arizona elections.
Adrian Fontes
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratAlexander Kolodin
Not good people RepublicanThe State Bar put him on probation in 2023 for bad-faith lawsuits trying to overturn the 2020 election. Asked this May whether 2020 was stolen, he said "it was stolen fair and square."
Sources: KJZZ, Democracy Docket, Wikipedia
Attorney General
Vote for oneKris Mayes
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRefused to enforce Arizona's 1864 abortion ban and has sued the federal government many times, including over immigration enforcement. Republican lawmakers and police groups called for her to resign over remarks about self-defense law and federal immigration agents. Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO.
Sources: Arizona Capitol Times, Campaign site, AZPBS, Arizona AFL-CIO
Warren Petersen
Not good people RepublicanSigned the 2020 Senate subpoenas for Maricopa County's ballots and machines that led to the Cyber Ninjas audit, which ended up confirming Biden's win. Later drew an FBI subpoena over how the review's materials were handled.
Sources: Wikipedia, States United
State Treasurer
Vote for oneOpen seat.
Nick Mansour
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratElijah Norton
Not good people RepublicanAt a September debate he flatly denied saying he would fire everyone tied to the current treasurer, though he said exactly that on a radio show in May. His warranty companies have faced more than 100 lawsuits and complaints over robocalls and denied claims. Endorsed by Turning Point Action.
Sources: KJZZ, Arizona Daily Star, Turning Point Action
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Vote for oneWrite-in candidates Gerard Davis (Green) and Stephen Neal Jr. (No Labels) are also running.
Teresa Leyba Ruiz
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratCalls herself "the only educator in this race." Wants school letter grades to count student growth and wants higher teacher pay to keep teachers. Endorsed by Save Our Schools Arizona.
Sources: State Press, ACCT, Arizona List
Kimberly Yee
Seems like good people RepublicanBeat Superintendent Tom Horne in the July primary, promising to "end the current chaos" at the Department of Education. Supports school choice and the universal voucher program.
Sources: Campaign video, Wikipedia
State Mine Inspector
Vote for oneTwo decent people who both say this is a safety job, not a political one.
Brian Matlock
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratWants to update the mine safety code and seal off abandoned backcountry and uranium mines. Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO and Teamsters Local 104.
Sources: Clean Elections guide, AZPBS, Arizona AFL-CIO
Les Presmyk
Seems like good people RepublicanSays the job is about making sure every miner "return[s] home at the end of every shift." Endorsed by the Center for Arizona Policy Action.
Sources: Governor's office, Wikipedia, iVoterGuide
Corporation Commission
Vote for twoThe commission sets utility rates. Two seats are open and you can vote for two.
Jonathon Hill
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratWants closer scrutiny of rate hikes and an end to energy and water breaks for big data centers, saying regular customers can't fight utilities on their own. Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO.
Sources: Campaign site, AZPBS, Arizona AFL-CIO
Clara Pratte
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratSays solar is "the cheapest form of energy on the market" and that the commission should hold down rates while utilities post record profits. Would be the first Native American elected statewide in Arizona.
Sources: Arizona Capitol Times, The 19th, Campaign site
Kevin Thompson
Compromised RepublicanVoted this year to repeal the state's energy efficiency rules. Also runs a consulting firm that works for data center developer EdgeCore while he regulates the utilities that serve data centers, though he says he does no EdgeCore work in Arizona.
Sources: Energy and Policy Institute, ACC
Ralph Heap
Not good people RepublicanWants to move the commission onto President Trump's energy agenda and away from green energy. Backed by the Freedom Caucus and Turning Point Action, and under a Clean Elections inquiry over how his campaign reported spending on signs.
Sources: AZ Free News, Arizona Capitol Times, Turning Point Action
Mike Cease
Not enough info GreenA longtime Green organizer who has run for this commission, Tucson mayor and Pima County recorder. No record in office to judge.
Sources: KAWC
Propositions and Supreme Court retention
Yes or noWe describe what each proposition does and don't make recommendations. All eight were put on the ballot by the Republican-led Legislature, so the governor could not veto them. Props 141, 142 and 144 amend the state constitution; the rest change state law.
- Prop 141, mileage taxes: Bars state and local governments from taxing or charging fees by the miles you drive, and from tracking or limiting how far you drive without your consent. Government vehicles and interstate commercial trucks are exempt. Arizona has no such tax today.
- Prop 142, race in public institutions: Bars the state, including public schools and universities, from requiring anyone to endorse preferential treatment based on race or ethnicity, from funding offices or trainings that promote it, from treating people differently by race in discipline, and from requiring diversity, equity and inclusion courses. State and federal anti-discrimination law still applies.
- Prop 144, voter ID and citizenship: Writes into the constitution that only citizens may register and vote, and requires government-issued ID to vote, including by mail (today mail voters don't show ID). Bans foreign nationals from giving money to influence Arizona elections, and starting in 2028 lets voters have their ballots counted at their polling place on Election Day.
- Prop 316, grocery taxes: Caps city and local sales taxes on groceries at 2% and requires voter approval to raise them. Places already above 2% keep their rate but can't raise it. The state doesn't tax groceries.
- Prop 317, drug cartels: Declares drug cartels terrorist organizations and tells the state Department of Homeland Security to do everything it can to address them. That department hands out grants and is not a police agency. Gov. Hobbs vetoed a similar bill in 2023.
- Prop 318, restrooms and sports: Requires all schools and athletic associations to limit restrooms, locker rooms and showers by sex as listed on a person's original birth certificate, for students, athletes and employees. It also bars girls from boys' teams; state law already bars boys from girls' teams.
- Prop 319, traffic cameras: Bans new red-light and speed cameras. Cities that already have them must win voter approval in November 2027 to keep them, and again every ten years. Gov. Hobbs vetoed a similar bill in 2023.
- Prop 320, classroom spending: Requires school districts with more than 7,500 students, or in counties over 500,000 people, to spend at least 60% of their budgets on direct instruction, with the state auditor general defining what counts.
- Supreme Court: Justice John Lopez IV, appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey in 2016, is up for a yes-or-no retention vote. We haven't profiled him.
U.S. House, District 1
Vote for oneOpen seat (Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, north Phoenix). Rep. David Schweikert is running for governor.
Amish Shah
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratHad a 100% rating from reproductive rights groups and filed bills to protect contraception and ban conversion therapy for minors. Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Arizona.
Sources: Wikipedia, Ballotpedia, Guides.vote, Arizona AFL-CIO, Phoenix New Times
Jay Feely
Not good people RepublicanTrump endorsed him in the primary and the general, and he switched here from District 5 after Trump backed Mark Lamb there. Backs the SAVE Act's proof-of-citizenship rule.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KTAR, KJZZ, Arizona PBS
Monica Alponte
Not enough info LibertarianSigned the U.S. Term Limits pledge. Endorsed by the Anti-Zionist America PAC.
Sources: Libertarian Party, iVoterGuide
U.S. House, District 3
Vote for oneCentral and west Phoenix. Republican Jacob Parkman is running as a write-in.
Yassamin Ansari
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratFiled articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in April 2026 and a bill to stop officials from holding several federal jobs at once. Endorsed by Sen. Mark Kelly and the federal workers' union AFGE.
Sources: LegiStorm, Hindustan Times, House website, Facebook, AFGE
Alan Aversa
Compromised ConservativeRunning for the Arizona Independent Party. Wants a total ban on abortion and opposes teaching gender identity in schools; endorsed by anti-abortion activist Randall Terry.
Sources: Campaign site, iVoterGuide, iVoterGuide
David Redkey
Not good people GreenArrested in September 2026 on felony charges of threatening a judge and an attorney. The Arizona Green Party now asks voters not to vote for him.
Sources: AZ Voter Guide, FOX 10
U.S. House, District 4
Vote for oneTempe, Chandler, west Mesa and south Phoenix.
Greg Stanton
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratNamed the Arizona AFL-CIO's 2025 elected leader of the year. Broke with most Democrats to vote for the Laken Riley Act, which requires detention of immigrants charged with theft.
Sources: Wikipedia, House website, The 19th
Zuhdi Jasser
Compromised RepublicanWants a balanced budget amendment and more money for immigration enforcement. Endorsed by Turning Point Action and former Gov. Jan Brewer.
Sources: Wikipedia, Arizona Daily Independent, Ballotpedia, Turning Point Action
Tisha Benoit
Not enough info IndependentWon the No Labels (now Arizona Independent) primary. Runs on a "Make Arizona Healthy Again" platform and a ban on stock trading by members of Congress.
Sources: Ballotpedia, KTAR, Campaign site
U.S. House, District 5
Vote for oneOpen seat (Gilbert, Queen Creek, east Mesa). Rep. Andy Biggs is running for governor.
Elizabeth Lee
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratSays she ran after seeing "too many patients ration their insulin." Turns down corporate PAC money; endorsed by IBEW Local 640 and Reproductive Freedom for All.
Sources: Ballotpedia, CT Public, Campaign site
Mark Lamb
Not good people RepublicanEndorsed by Trump and the Club for Growth. The Arizona Republic reported allegations that he used his badge to threaten a woman over explicit photos; his campaign calls them "baseless."
Sources: Wikipedia, Your Valley, Club for Growth, States Newsroom
U.S. House, District 7
Vote for oneWest Phoenix, Avondale and Tolleson, plus Tucson and the border.
Adelita Grijalva
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratSays ICE is "using inhumane tactics" and "targeting anyone who looks like me." House Republican leaders held off swearing her in for seven weeks after she won the 2025 special election.
Sources: Wikipedia, AZ Luminaria
Daniel Butierez
Compromised RepublicanBacked Trump's federal law enforcement response to protests in California and called the protests "a temper tantrum."
Sources: Ballotpedia, Your Valley
U.S. House, District 8
Vote for onePeoria, Surprise, Sun City and the northwest Valley.
Bernadette Greene-Placentia
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRuns on lower costs, reproductive health care, Social Security and "securing the border without sacrificing humanity." Signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Campaign site
U.S. House, District 9
Vote for oneWest Valley, including Buckeye, and western Arizona.
Danielle Sterbinsky
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratWants lower housing, health care and child care costs and congressional term limits. Endorsed by State Sen. Catherine Miranda and Rep. Mariana Sandoval.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Ballotpedia, Campaign site
Paul Gosar
Not good people RepublicanVoted against certifying the 2020 election results and called the election stolen. The House censured him in 2021 for an animated video showing violence against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Sources: Wikipedia, PBS NewsHour
State Senate, District 2
Vote for oneNorth Phoenix.
Amelia Gallitano
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRunning on health care and utility costs, housing and water. Endorsed by Attorney General Kris Mayes, the Arizona AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Arizona AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood Advocates
Shawnna Bolick
Not good people RepublicanVoted in 2024 to repeal the 1864 abortion ban. But in 2021 she filed a bill letting the Legislature revoke the state's certification of presidential electors.
Sources: Wikipedia, The 19th, Business Insider
State House, District 2
Vote for twoTwo seats, but we picked only Simacek. Carver qualified as a write-in in the Republican primary.
Stephanie Simacek
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRunning on reproductive rights, school funding, water and housing. Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO, EMILYs List and the Arizona Nurses Association.
Sources: Ballotpedia, DVUSD, NextGen America, Arizona AFL-CIO
Justin Wilmeth
Compromised RepublicanPassed bills creating a state space commission and barring state contracts that use Uyghur forced labor. Endorsed by Americans for Prosperity and the Arizona Chamber.
Sources: Wikipedia, Campaign site, RSLC
Paul Carver
Not good people RepublicanEndorsed by the NRA and Reps. Justin Wilmeth and Joseph Chaplik. Wants "fiscal discipline" and more school choice for parents.
Sources: AZ Voter Guide, Arizona Globe, iVoterGuide
State Senate, District 4
Vote for oneNorth-central Phoenix and Paradise Valley. Trump won this district by 3.5 points in 2024.
Aaron Lieberman
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratWants more money for K-12 and early childhood education and for water. Has campaigned against election denial and Trump's push to overturn 2020; endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO.
Sources: Your Valley, Wikipedia, AZ Advocacy Hub, Arizona AFL-CIO
Carine Werner
Compromised RepublicanRuns on "reducing crime, securing the border" and more school choice. While on the Scottsdale school board, she apologized after a hot mic caught her making personal remarks about a district staff member.
Sources: Wikipedia, Campaign site, Your Valley
State House, District 4
Vote for twoTwo seats. Gress voted to repeal the 1864 abortion ban; Carter helped run Trump's 2020 campaign outreach.
Karen Gresham
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRunning on public school funding and reproductive rights. Endorsed by Arizona List and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Arizona List, LD4 Democrats
Tammy Caputi
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRunning on small business, infrastructure and public safety funding. Endorsed by Arizona List and the state medical association's PAC.
Sources: Ballotpedia, LD4 Democrats, iVoterGuide
Matt Gress
Compromised RepublicanBroke with his party in 2024 to repeal the 1864 abortion ban and lost his Appropriations Committee seat for it. Endorsed by police and firefighter groups.
Sources: Arizona Capitol Times, Arizona Capitol Times, Clean Elections guide
Pamela Carter
Not good people RepublicanWas deputy strategic initiatives director for 2020 Trump Victory and built the campaign's faith ambassadors program. Supports arming teachers.
Sources: Your Valley, ADLCC
State Senate, District 9
Vote for oneWest Mesa. Harris won it by 3 points in 2024.
Kiana Sears
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRunning on price gouging, health care and public school funding. Endorsed by EMILYs List, AFSCME and the Arizona Nurses Association.
Sources: Maricopa County, Vote411, DLCC, EMILYs List
Bridget Fitzgibbons
Compromised RepublicanRunning on border enforcement and trafficking. Endorsed by Turning Point Action, the Mesa Chamber and the home builders' association.
Sources: Turning Point Action, AZ Voter Guide, Mesa Chamber
State House, District 9
Vote for twoLorena Austin
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratHelped pass the casita (accessory dwelling) law and a three-year pause on data center tax breaks. Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.
Sources: DLCC, Campaign site, Arizona AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood Advocates
Jacob Martinez
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRunning on school funding, housing, water and gun safety. Once organized for Ted Cruz and Kelli Ward; now endorsed by Bernie Sanders, Giffords and the Arizona AFL-CIO.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Arizona Daily Independent, Arizona AFL-CIO
Bradley Bettencourt
Compromised RepublicanBlames zoning and permit delays for high housing costs. Endorsed by Turning Point Action and Rep. Walt Blackman.
Sources: AZ Free News, Turning Point Action
State Senate, District 13
Vote for oneOpen seat in Chandler, the closest district in the county (Trump by 1.2 points in 2024).
Kristie O'Brien
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratEndorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO, EMILYs List and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.
Sources: LD13 Democrats, Planned Parenthood Advocates
Julie Willoughby
Compromised RepublicanHelped negotiate the 2025 deal that kept services for people with developmental disabilities funded. Appeared in a 2024 PAC ad attacking federal border policy; backed by the state and Chandler chambers.
Sources: Campaign site, Wikipedia, KJZZ, Chandler Chamber, Arizona Chamber
State House, District 13
Vote for twoTwo open seats. Rep. Jeff Weninger left to run for Chandler mayor and lost.
Racquel Armstrong
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratSays she is running to "break cycles of poverty through learning and opportunity." Endorsed by EMILYs List and United Campus Workers of Arizona.
Sources: New Politics, ActBlue, EMILYs List, United Campus Workers
Jacob Weinberg
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratRunning on responsible development, schools and veterans' rights. Endorsed by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
Sources: Campaign site, DLCC
Janet Weninger
Compromised RepublicanEndorsed by Americans for Prosperity Action, the Arizona Police Association and the Arizona Freedom Club PAC.
Sources: BallotReady, AZ Voter Guide, AFP Action, Arizona Police Association, Arizona Chamber
Kevin Hartke
Not good people RepublicanAs mayor, paid off the city's police and fire pension debt. His campaign says the "Trump Administration has delivered one of the most secure borders in history."
Sources: Campaign site, Campaign site, Campaign site
State Senate, District 23
Vote for oneSouthwest Valley (Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye area) and Yuma County. Harris won it by under 2 points.
Brian Fernandez
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratHelped negotiate a $1 billion boost in school funding and money for west Valley roads. Endorsed by Save Our Schools Arizona and the DLCC.
Sources: Wikipedia, Clean Elections guide, DLCC
Michelle Altherr
Not good people RepublicanStarted in politics with Latinos for Trump and was an adjudicator and observer in the audit of Maricopa County's 2020 election. Endorsed by the NRA.
Sources: Turning Point Action, KJZZ, NRA-PVF
State House, District 23
Vote for twoMariana Sandoval
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratSays working families should "come first, not corporations." Endorsed by the Arizona AFL-CIO and Save Our Schools Arizona.
Sources: Campaign site, States Newsroom, Ballotpedia, Arizona AFL-CIO
Emilia Cortez
Seems like good people (best choice in this race) DemocratSupports a higher minimum wage. Endorsed by the DLCC, Run for Something and Save Our Schools Arizona.
Sources: Campaign site, iVoterGuide, DLCC
Michele Peña
Compromised RepublicanVice chair of the House agriculture committee. Endorsed by the NFIB, the Arizona Chamber and the Greater Phoenix Chamber.
Sources: Wikipedia, Arizona Chamber
Gary Snyder
Not good people RepublicanPut a hidden camera on a San Luis ballot drop box in 2020; the footage later appeared in the film "2000 Mules." Runs on "election integrity."
Sources: Arizona Daily Independent, Arizona Daily Independent, Clean Elections guide
County proposition
We describe what each proposition does and don't make recommendations. Statewide propositions 141 to 320 are in the State and federal section. Many school districts also have bond or override questions; check your sample ballot.
Maricopa County, Proposition 413
Yes or no- Asks voters to extend the county's jail sales tax, which pays for running and maintaining adult and juvenile jails. The county pamphlet has the rate and how long it would last.
- The county estimates it would raise about $313 million in its first full year, July 2027 to June 2028. County page and pamphlet.