Arizona primary 2024: Here are the candidates running for the House of Representatives (2024)

Control of all 90 seats in the Arizona Legislature is up for grabs this fall, and this summer's primary election will determine the matchups voters across the state's 30 legislative districts will decide come November.

Voters in the July 30 primary whittle down their party's nominees. From there, each district in the fall elects one senator and two representatives.

Independents will also get a chance to weigh in. Voters unaffiliated with a recognized political party can choose to vote a Republican or Democratic primary ballot. In particularly close or politicized races, they could play a key role in determining who ultimately makes it to the general election ballot.

They are also expected to be crucial to victories in a handful of swing districts this fall.

Republicans control the state House of Representatives by a 31-29 margin. Here's who's in the running for a legislative seat.

District 1 | District 2 | District 3 | District 4 | District 5 | District 6 | District 7 | District 8 | District 9 | District 10 | District 11 | District 12 | District 13 | District 14 | District 15 | District 16 | District 17 | District 18 | District 19 | District 20 | District 21 | District 22 | District 23 | District 24 | District 25 | District 26 | District 27 | District 28 | District 29 | District 30

District 1

Republicans

Incumbent: Selina Bliss

What you need to know about Bliss: Bliss and fellow District 1 House member Quang Nguyen faced criticism in late 2023 for allocating state funds to the city of Prescott’s rodeo under a Republican budget plan that allowed lawmakers to direct surplus funds to passion projects.

Previous experience: Bliss was elected to the Arizona House in 2022. She previously lost in the Republican primary for House District 1 in 2020. Bliss was formerly a nurse and precinct committeewoman in Yavapai County.

Incumbent: Quang Nguyen

What you need to know about Nguyen: Nguyen is a proponent of gun rights and worked on legislation that would require gun safety lessons in schools and lower the required age for concealed weapons. He was criticized alongside Bliss for contributing state funds to the Prescott rodeo in late 2023.

Previous experience: Nguyen was elected to District 1 in 2020 and reelected in 2022. He works in advertising and founded his own agency in 2006.

Democrats

Candidate: Jay Ruby

What you need to know about Ruby: He is running on a slate with Marcia Smith, who is running for the House, and Mike Fogel, who is running for the Senate.

Previous experience: Ruby is the founder and director of a local theater company. He is originally from Pennsylvania but moved to Arizona 30 years ago.

Candidate: Marcia Smith

What you need to know about Smith: She is running on a slate with Jay Ruby, who is running for the House, and Mike Fogel, who is running for the Senate. According to their campaign website, Smith’s top priorities are Arizona’s healthcare provider shortage, access to abortion and mental health care.

Previous experience: Smith is a Navy veteran and attorney with experience in healthcare law.

Other candidates

Shawn Wildman is running as a Republican.

District 2

Republicans

Incumbent: Justin Wilmeth

What you need to know about Wilmeth: Wilmeth has worked on legislation to address the housing crisis in the state. In 2022, a bill he sponsored that sealed eviction records to prevent hits to credit records received bipartisan support and was signed by former Gov. Doug Ducey.He voted with Democrats in the House to repeal the state’s 1864 abortion law.

Previous experience: Wilmeth has served in the House since 2021. He previously worked as a policy advisor to the Republicans in the House.

Candidate: Ari Bradshaw

What you need to know about Bradshaw: Bradshaw is a supporter of the Empowerment Scholarship Program, increased border security and Kari Lake.

Previous experience: Bradshaw founded and owns an advertising agency and a music distribution company. He is the chairman of the Young Conservatives for Arizona, which he founded.

Democrat

Candidate: Stephanie Simacek

What you need to know about Simacek: According to her campaign website, Simacek’s top issues are public education, housing, water and reproductive freedom.

Previous experience: Simacek is a member of the Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board. She is also a substitute teacher in the district.

Other candidates

Tom Simes is running as an independent. Neil DeSanti is running as a Republican.

District 3

Republicans

Incumbent: Joseph Chaplik

What you need to know about Chaplik: Chaplik is a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus. He is also the chair of the House Ethics Committee. Chaplik oversaw hearings looking into the conduct of former Republican Rep. Liz Harris and Democratic Reps. Leezah Sun and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton.

Previous experience: Chaplik has served in the House since 2021. He previously served as a precinct committeeman and works in real estate investment.

Incumbent: Alexander Kolodin

What you need to know about Kolodin: In December 2023, Kolodin was given a public admonishment by the State Bar of Arizona for lawsuits he filed that questioned the validity of the 2020 election. Kolodin also received criticism for comments he made in a hearing and online in March 2023, suggesting he would shoot people who didn’t respect his rights. He is also a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus.

Previous experience: Kolodin was elected to the House in 2022. He’s an attorney and was previously a teacher.

Democrat

Candidate: Richard Corles

What you need to know about Corles: According to Corles’ campaign website, he supports abortion rights, reforms for the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program and efforts to mitigate climate change.

Previous experience: Corles previously worked as an engineer for Honeywell and owned a wine distributorship.

District 4

Republicans

Incumbent: Matt Gress

What you need to know about Gress: He is a proponent of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, raises for teachers and increased funding for public schools. Gress worked with Democrats to repeal the state’s 1864 abortion law and was removed from committee assignments for doing so.

Previous experience: Gress has served in the House since 2023. He was director of former Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget office and a budget analyst for the state. Gress was also an advisor to the Arizona Corporation Commission and a governing board member in the Madison Elementary School District.

Candidate: Pamela Carter

What you need to know about Carter: According to her campaign website, Carter’s top issues are election integrity, border security and public safety.

Previous experience: Carter previously owned a sports medicine clinic in Scottsdale and was the host of a fitness show that aired on a Christian TV network. She ran unsuccessfully for Scottsdale City Council in 2022.

Democrats

Candidate: Kelli Butler

What you need to know about Butler: She is running on a slate with Karen Gresham, who is running for the House, and Christine Marsh, who is running for reelection to the Senate.

Previous experience: Butler previously served in the House from 2017 to 2022. She currently serves on the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board. Butler owns a family dental practice with her husband.

Candidate: Karen Gresham

What you need to know about Gresham: Gresham worked with Save Our Schools Arizona to defeat a 2017 expansion of the school voucher program.

Previous experience: Gresham is the president of the Madison Elementary School District Governing Board. She previously worked as an accountant before retiring to raise her children and volunteer for education-related nonprofits and candidates.

District 5

Democrats

Incumbent: Sarah Liguori

What you need to know about Liguori: Liguori was appointed to the Legislature in February to fill a seat vacated by former Rep. Jennifer Longdon.

Previous experience: Liguori served in the House from 2021 to 2022 after being appointed to fill another vacancy. She lost reelection to the seat in 2022. Liguori works professionally as a financial advisor for her own firm.

Incumbent: Charles Lucking

What you need to know about Lucking: He has experience working on housing issues and said it would be a priority for him in the Legislature.

Previous experience: Lucking was appointed to the House in February 2024 after Rep. Amish Shah resigned. He works for the nonprofit Community Legal Services, which focuses on housing.

Candidate: Dorri Thyden

What you need to know about Thyden: According to her campaign website, some of Thyden’s priorities are reproductive rights, sustainability and affordable housing.

Previous experience: Thyden works for the consulting firm Lewis Roca and has experience in marketing and campaign consulting. She is also an artist and sells her artwork online.

Candidate: Aaron Marquez

What you need to know about Marquez: His top issues are protecting democracy, improving schools and securing abortion rights.

Previous experience: Marquez ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2022 and the Senate in 2014. He currently serves on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board. Marquez is an Army veteran and previously worked for U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego.

District 6

Democrat

Incumbent: Mae Peshlakai

What you need to know about Peshlakai: Peshlakai is Navajo and her daughter, Jamescita Peshlakai, previously served as a state senator. She leads the legislature’s Indigenous Peoples Caucus.

Previous experience: Peshlakai has served in the House since 2023. She was a precinct and state committee member for the Arizona Democratic Party.

Incumbent: Myron Tsosie

What you need to know about Tsosie: Tsosie is Navajo and has worked with Hatathlie on committees investigating violence against Native Americans.

Previous experience: Tsosie has served in the House since 2019. He also serves on the Chinle Unified School District Governing Board.

Republicans

Candidate: Lloyd Johnson

What you need to know about Johnson: According to Johnson’s campaign website, he is pro-Second Amendment, anti-abortion and supports parents’ rights.

Previous experience: Johnson is a precinct committeeman with the Navajo County Republican Committee. He is a maintenance manager for concessions at the Petrified Forest National Park.

Candidate: Rich King

What you need to know about King: According to his campaign website, some of King’s top issues are increasing border security, removing electronic voting machines and stopping schools from teaching critical race theory.

Previous experience: King ran against Hatathalie for Senate as a write-in candidate but only won 5% of the vote. He is a business manager with experience working for companies like GE Healthcare and Siemens.

Other candidates

Angela Maloney is running as a Democrat.

District 7

Republicans

Incumbent: David Marshall

What you need to know about Marshall: Marshall is pro-police and wrote a letter encouraging the city of Phoenix not to enter into a potential agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to reform the Phoenix Police Department.

Previous experience: Marshall has served in the House since 2023. He served in the U.S. Air Force and as a police officer in California. Marshall is also a pastor.

Candidate: Walt Blackman

What you need to know about Blackman: Blackman faced criticism in 2020 for calling Black Lives Matter a “terrorist organization” and questioning the character of George Floyd in the weeks following his death. In 2022, Blackman acknowledged a long history of criminal prosecution over bad checks and personal financial issues. According to his campaign website, Blackman is a supporter of the Second Amendment, anti-abortion policies and increased border security.

Previous experience: Blackman served in the House from 2020 to 2023. He was the first Black Republican elected to the Legislature. Blackman ran unsuccessfully for Arizona’s 1^st Congressional District in 2022. He served in the U.S. Army for 21 years before retiring in 2016.

Candidate: John Fillmore

What you need to know about Fillmore: He is the leader of the Patriot Party of Arizona, a far-right offshoot of the Republican Party. The group is not officially recognized as a political party in the state and will not appear on the ballot.

Previous experience: Fillmore served in the House from 2011 to 2013 and again from 2019 to 2022. He ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2014 and 2016. Fillmore is an Army veteran.

Other candidates

Steve Slaton,Barby Ingle and Andrew Costanzo are running as Republicans and Nancy Hartl and Kevin Chiquete are running as Democrats.

District 8

Democrats

Candidate: Juan Mendez

What you need to know about Mendez: In 2022, Mendez and his wife, former Rep. Athena Salman, were criticized for being absent from the Capitol during session. The couple said they didn’t want to expose their newborn daughter to COVID-19. In 2018, Mendez was accused of plagiarizing answers to a candidate questionnaire that appeared on azcentral.com during his 2016 House race.

Previous experience: Mendez has served in the Senate since 2018 and is the assistant minority leader. He is term-limited in the Senate and must run for House to continue serving in the Legislature. Mendez previously served in the House from 2013 to 2017.

Candidate: Janeen Connolly

What you need to know about Connolly: According to her campaign website, her top issues are affordable community college and low-income housing.

Previous experience: Connolly is retired and previously worked as a government relations representative at the Salt River Project.

Candidate: Brian Garcia

What you need to know about Garcia: According to his campaign website, some of Garcia’s top issues are public education, affordable housing and abortion rights.

Previous experience: Garcia served on the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board from 2018 to 2022. He is an attorney and previously worked for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

Republican

Candidate: Caden Darrow

What you need to know about Darrow: According to his campaign website, some of Darrow’s top issues are teacher pay, homelessness and equal rights.

Previous experience: Darrow has worked on campaigns for former President Donald Trump and former U.S. Senator Martha McSally. He is a jewelry salesman for a local jewelry store.

District 9

Democrats

Incumbent: Lorena Austin

What you need to know about Austin: Austin identifies as nonbinary and uses she/they pronouns. They are an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, worker protections and public education.Austin was at the center of a recent Capitol controversy by hosting at the Legislature a drag story hour featuring a man in a suit jacket and wearing face makeup reading a children's book to several adults.

Previous experience: Austin has served in the House since 2023. She is a student government advisor at Mesa Community College and previously worked as a project manager at the Maricopa County Community College District.

Incumbent: Seth Blattman

What you need to know about Blattman: Blattman is an advocate for public education, LGBTQ+ rights and abortion rights.

Previous experience: Blattman has served in the House since 2023. He ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2020 but lost to Republican Michelle Ugenti-Rita. Blattman is also a local businessman.

Republicans

Candidate: Mary Ann Mendoza

What you need to know about Mendoza: In 2020, Mendoza was dropped as a speaker at the Republican National Convention for retweeting an antisemitic QAnon conspiracy theory. While running for the state House in 2022, photos that appeared to show Mendoza in blackface surfaced online, sparking criticism. Mendoza became an anti-illegal immigration activist after her son, a police officer, was killed by a drunk driver who was undocumented.

Previous experience: Mendoza ran against Austin and Blattman in 2022 but lost by a few thousand votes.

Candidate: Kylie Barber

What you need to know about Barber: According to her website, Barber’s top issues are parents’ rights, securing the border and the state’s water crisis.

Previous experience: Barber is the director of early childhood policy at Children’s Action Alliance in Arizona. She previously worked in healthcare lobbying in Washington, D.C.

Other candidates

Michael Eaton is running as a Libertarian.

District 10

Republicans

Candidate: Matt Greer

What you need to know about Greer: According to his campaign website, Greer’s top issues are cutting taxes, investing in education and supporting law enforcement.

Previous experience: Greer is a real estate agent and U.S. Army veteran.

Candidate: Justin Olson

What you need to know about Olson: He is the chief financial officer for the conservative organization Turning Point USA.

Previous experience: Olson served on the Arizona Corporation Commission from 2017 to 2022. He also served in the House from 2011 to 2016. Olson unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022 and for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016.

Candidate: Ralph Heap

What you need to know about Heap: He is the father of current Republican state Rep. Justin Heap, who is leaving the Legislature to run for Maricopa County recorder. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church.

Previous experience: Heap ran for the state Senate in 2014 but lost in the primary. He is an orthopedic surgeon in Mesa.

Democrat

Candidate: Helen Hunter

What you need to know about Hunter: According to her campaign website, Hunter’s top issues are education, the economy, law and order, and infrastructure and water.

Previous experience: Hunter ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2022 and 2020. She is a reverend and works with the Arizona Interfaith Movement.

District 11

Democrats

Incumbent: Oscar De Los Santos

What you need to know about De Los Santos: De Los Santos is the assistant minority leader in the House and co-chair of the Legislature’s LGBTQ+ Caucus.

Previous experience: De Los Santos has served in the House since 2023. He previously worked as a teacher and as head of public policy at the Association of Arizona Food Banks.

Incumbent: Junelle Cavero

What you need to know about Cavero: She was appointed to the Legislature in April to replace former Rep. Marcelino Quinonez, who resigned.

Previous experience: Cavero is an executive for the media company My Code in Washington, D.C. She ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate in 2022, losing to Sen. Catherine Mirandain the primary.

Candidate: Michael D. Butts

What you need to know about Butts: According to Butts’ campaign website, his top issues are public safety, criminal justice reform and education.

Previous experience: Butts is the assistant principal at Agua Fria Union High School in Avondale. He previously worked as a teacher and as a police officer in his home city of Cincinnati. Butts ran for the House in 2022, but lost to De Los Santos and Quinonez in the primary.

Other candidates

Cesar Aleman and Joseph Dailey are running as Republicans. Izaak Ruiz is running as a Democrat.

District 12

Democrats

Incumbent: Patty Contreras

What you need to know about Contreras: Contreras is the co-chair of the Legislature’s LGBTQ+ caucus. According to her campaign website, she is a supporter of abortion rights, public schools and gun control.

Previous experience: Contreras has served in the House since 2023. She worked for the City of Phoenix in the Parks and Recreation and Human Services departments for 31 years before retiring in 2021.

Incumbent: Anastasia “Stacey” Travers

What you need to know about Travers: According to her campaign website, Travers is a supporter of abortion rights, public schools and gun control.

Previous experience: Travers has served in the House since 2023. She previously served in the U.S. Army.

Other candidates

Lawrence Hudson is running as a Republican.

District 13

Republicans

Incumbent: Julie Willoughby

What you need to know about Willoughby: Willoughby was appointed to the Legislature in 2023 following the expulsion of Rep. Liz Harris, R-Chandler, after a House Ethics Committee investigation that found she committed "disorderly behavior." Her husband ran an unsuccessful campaign in the district in 2016.

Previous experience: She ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2018 and 2022. She is a former trauma nurse and nursing executive.

Candidate: Jeff Weninger

What you need to know about Weninger:As a state lawmaker, Weninger supported a bill that passed in Arizona and required the state to end investments with companies that boycott Israel. That billin 2021.

Previous experience: Weninger previously served in the House from 2016 to 2023. He unsuccessfully ran for state treasurer in 2022. Weninger also served on the Chandler City Council from 2007 to 2015.

Democrat

Candidate: Brandy Reese

What you need to know about Reese: According to her campaign website, Reese’s top issues are education, climate and reproductive freedom.

Previous experience: Reese is a retired forensic scientist and worked for Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. In 2022, she ran unsuccessfully for a House seat in District 14.

Other candidates

Nicholas Gonzales and Shante Saulsberry are running as Democrats.

District 14

Republicans

Incumbent: Laurin Hendrix

What you need to know about Hendrix: In February, Hendrix received criticism for not allowing a hearing on a bill that would have allowed the Arizona Medical Board to post records of doctor misconduct online for up to 25 years.

Previous experience: Hendrix has served in the House since 2023. He previously served in the House from 2009 to 2011. Hendrix was also a member of the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board and a member of the Gilbert Town Council.

Candidate: Lalani Hunsaker

What you need to know about Hunsaker: According to her website, Hunsaker’s top issues are election integrity, education and natural resources.

Previous experience: Hunsaker is the director of government relations for local charter school management company Charter One.

Candidate: Andrew Jackson

What you need to know about Jackson: According to his campaign website, Jackson’s policy priorities include supporting parental rights, protecting unborn children and strengthening law enforcement.

Previous experience: Jackson is a pastor and a former professor at both Mesa and Gilbert community colleges.

Other candidates

Joel Coen and Khyl Powell are running as Republicans.

District 15

Republicans

Incumbent: Neal Carter

What you need to know about Carter: Carter was among several Republican lawmakers in the state who continued to raise questions about the validity of the 2020 presidential election during the 2022 election season.

Previous experience: Carter has served in the House since 2021 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He unsuccessfully ran for the House in 2020. Carter is an attorney and software trainer.

Candidate: Michael Way

What you need to know about Way: According to his campaign website, Way’s policy priorities include securing the border, protecting constitutional rights and ensuring fiscal responsibility in government.

Previous experience: Way is the president of business development at local charter school management company Charter One.

Candidate: Alex Stovall

What you need to know about Stovall: According to his campaign website, Stovall’s top issues are protecting veterans, advocating for school choice and enacting tax reforms.

Previous experience: Stovall is an Army veteran and a PhD candidate. He entered the race for Congressional District 5 earlier this year but withdrew to run for the state House. He also ran for Congressional District 4 in 2022 but did not appear on the primary ballot.

Other candidates

Peter Anello is running as a Republican. Barbara Beneitone is running as a Democrat.

District 16

Democrat

Incumbent: Keith Seaman

What you need to know about Seaman: Seaman is a proponent of reform and increased funding for public schools. He is a supporter of LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.He was among the 17 Arizona House lawmakers who traveled to Israel in March to explore the events of the Oct. 7 attack and visit with the families of the Israelis held hostage by Hamas.

Previous experience: Seaman has served in the House since 2023. He was a member of the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board and worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent for 40 years before retiring.

Republican

Incumbent: Teresa Martinez

What you need to know about Martinez: Martinez is the majority whip of the House. She was among a group of Republican lawmakers who continued to question the results of the 2020 election during the 2022 midterms.

Previous experience: Martinez has served in the House since 2021 after being appointed to fill a vacancy. She works for U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and previously worked for former U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., and former Secretary of State Michele Reagan. Martinez is the former political director of the Arizona Republican Party.

Candidate: Rob Hudelson

What you need to know about Hudelson: According to his campaign website, Hudelson is anti-abortion, pro-Second Amendment and pro-school choice.

Previous experience: Hudelson previously served on Coolidge City Council. He ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2022. Hudelson is a pastor at Legacy Baptist Church in Coolidge.

Candidate: Gabby Mercer

What you need to know about Mercer: She immigrated to the United States in 1986 from Mexico and later became a U.S. citizen. She is in favor of reform to the country’s immigration system but wants to do away with government programs that aid undocumented immigrants, according to her campaign website.

Previous experience: Saucedo has run unsuccessfully for Pima County Supervisor in 2022 and the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 and 2012. She currently works as an independent distributor for weight-loss company Isagenix.

Candidate: Chris Lopez

What you need to know about Lopez: According to his campaign website, Lopez’s top issues are securing the southern border, protecting the Second Amendment and defending school choice.

Previous experience: Lopez owns a property management company in the Valley.

District 17

Republicans

Incumbent: Rachel Jones

What you need to know about Jones: Jones is a member of the state Freedom Caucus. She sponsored a controversial resolution this session declaring the Legislature has power over presidential elections and could appoint GOP electors if other states removed former President Donald Trump from the ballot. The bill was opposed by both Republicans and Democrats and died in committee.

Previous experience: Jones has served in the House since 2023. She is a former teacher and business executive.

Incumbent: Cory McGarr

What you need to know about McGarr: McGarr is a member of the state Freedom Caucus. He sponsored a bill that would remove President Joe Biden from the ballot if former President Donald Trump were to be removed from the ballot.

Previous experience: McGarr has served in the House since 2023. He was previously a precinct committeeman in District 17.

Candidate: Anna Orth

What you need to know about Orth: According to her campaign website, some of Orth’s top issues are border security, election integrity and the Second Amendment.

Previous experience: Orth ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2022. She owns her own consulting firm.

Democrat

Candidate: Kevin Volk

What you need to know about Volk: According to his campaign website, Volk’s top priorities are lowering the cost of living, investing in education, conserving water and restoring reproductive rights.

Previous experience: Volk currently works as a real estate agent for his family’s real estate firm. He previously worked as an intern in former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords’ office.

District 18

Democrats

Incumbent: Nancy Gutierrez

What you need to know about Gutierrez: Gutierrez is a staunch critic of the state’s Empowerment Scholarships Program and has signed onto several pieces of legislation that would limit the program’s scope.

Previous experience: Gutierrez has served in the House since 2023, where she is the minority whip. She previously worked with the Tucson chapter of the National Organization for Women and is currently a teacher at Tucson High School.

Incumbent: Chris Mathis

What you need to know about Mathis: Mathis is married Colleen Coyle Mathis, the former independent redistricting chair who was removed from her position and later reinstated after being accused by then-Gov. Jan Brewer and other Republicans of having a Democratic bias.

Previous experience: Mathis has served in the House since 2021 after being appointed to fill a vacancy. He successfully ran for reelection in 2022. He previously worked for the Illinois General Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives, British Parliament and the office of former U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. Mathis is an attorney and a professor at the University of Arizona.

Republican

Candidate: Leonard “Len” Rosenblum

What you need to know about Rosenblum: According to his campaign website, Rosenblum’s top issues are securing the southern border, protecting the Second Amendment and increasing fiscal responsibility in government.

Previous experience: Rosenblum is a software engineer for Raytheon Missile Systems, a U.S. Department of Defense contractor.

District 19

Republicans

Incumbent: Lupe Diaz

What you need to know about Diaz: Diaz supports the anti-abortion policies, police and the Empowerment Scholarships Program.

Previous experience: Diaz has served in the House since 2021 after being appointed to fill a vacancy. He previously served on the Benson City Council. Diaz is a minister at Grace Chapel Benson.

Incumbent: Gail Griffin

What you need to know about Griffin: Griffin chairs the House Natural Resources, Energy, and Water, making her a powerful voice on water policy.

Previous experience: Griffin has served in the House since 2019. She served in the Senate from 2011 to 2018, leaving to run for House after serving the maximum number of terms allowed for state lawmakers in one body. She is a real estate broker.

Democrat

Candidate: Gregg Frostrom

What you need to know about Frostrom: He is a former Republican who left the party in the 2000s. His policy priorities include improving rural healthcare, protecting water resources and supporting public schools.

Previous experience: Frostrom is a U.S. Army veteran and works as a project manager for a pharmaceutical research company.

District 20

Democrat

Incumbent: Alma Hernandez

What you need to know about Hernandez: Hernandez serves in the House with her sister, Rep. Consuelo Hernandez. She is Jewish and led a bipartisan group of lawmakers on a controversial trip to Israel in March while the Legislature was still in session.

Previous experience: Hernandez has served in the House since 2019. She was previously a healthcare consultant and a professor at Arizona State University.

Incumbent: Betty Villegas

What you need to know about Villegas: She was appointed to the House to fill a vacancy left after former Rep. Andres Cano resigned.

Previous experience: Villegas has served in the House since 2023. She previously worked in housing advocacy in Tucson and served on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

District 21

Democrats

Incumbent: Consuelo Hernandez

What you need to know about Hernandez: Hernandez serves in the House with her sister, Rep. Alma Hernandez. Like her sister, Consuelo Hernandez often clashes with other Democrats over her stance on Israel.

Previous experience: Hernandez has served in the House since 2021. She also serves on the Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board. Hernandez ran for a seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors in 2020 but lost in the primary.

Incumbent: Stephanie Stahl Hamilton

What you need to know about Stahl Hamilton: Stahl Hamilton was censured in 2023 for hiding Bibles under seat cushions and in the refrigerator of a House lounge. An effort to expel her failed after four Republicans voted against it. She also sponsored the bill repealing the state’s 1864 near-total abortion ban that was signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Previous experience: Stahl Hamilton has served in the House since 2021. She’s previously worked in the Tucson Unified School District and with Save Our Schools Arizona. Stahl Hamilton is an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Candidate: Briana Ortega

What you need to know about Ortega: She served as the attorney for former Gov. Raúl Castro’s family in their legal battle to have his home returned to them from the University of Arizona after the school planned to sell it.

Previous experience: She is an attorney and works in Santa Cruz County.

Other candidates

Christopher Kibbey is running as a Republican.

District 22

Democrats

Incumbent: Lupe Contreras

What you need to know about Contreras: Contreras is the House minority leader.

Previous experience: Contreras has served in the House since 2023. He previously served in the House from 2013 to 2016. Contreras served in the Senate from 2017 to 2022.

Incumbent: Elda Luna-Nájera

What you need to know about Luna-Nájera: Luna-Nájera holds a doctorate in social work and works with high school students who are in foster care or experiencing homelessness.

Previous experience: Luna-Nájera was appointed to the House in February 2024 after Rep. Leezah Sun resigned. She is the president of the Tolleson Union High School District.

Other candidates

Betsy Munoz and Jen Wynne are running as Democrats. Diana Jones and Blaine Griffin are running as Republicans.

District 23

Republican

Incumbent: Michele Peña

What you need to know about Peña: She was censured by Republicans in her district for voting to expel Rep. Liz Harris in 2023.

Previous experience: Peña has served in the House since 2023. She is an office administrator for a California agriculture company.

Democrats

Incumbent: Mariana Sandoval

What you need to know about Sandoval: Sandoval introduced a bill this session that would have provided more protections for outdoor workers in the summers after a farm worker died in Yuma last year. The bill was not heard in committee and did not move forward.

Previous experience: Sandoval has served in the House since 2023. She ran unsuccessfully for House in 2020. Sandoval served on the Agua Fria Union High School Governing Board from 2017 to 2020. She worked for the Attorney General’s Office as a paralegal for 12 years.

Candidate: Matias Rosales

What you need to know about Rosales: According to his campaign website, some of Rosales’ top issues are education, infrastructure improvements and reproductive rights.

Previous experience: Rosales is currently serving on the San Luis City Council, where he previously served as vice mayor. He is also a real estate agent.

Other candidates

Jimmy Holmes is running as a Democrat.

District 24

Democrats

Incumbent: Lydia Hernandez

What you need to know about Hernandez: Hernandez filed an ethics complaint against fellow Democratic lawmakers in February 2024, alleging they held her hostage in her office for over an hour due to political differences. Hernandez has received criticism from fellow Democrats for her anti-abortion stance and her endorsem*nt of former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican.

Previous experience: Hernandez has served in the House since 2023. She was previously elected to the House in 2012. Hernandez unsuccessfully ran for state Senate in 2014 and 2016 and for Phoenix City Council in 2019. She has served on the Cartwright Elementary School District Governing Board since 2011.

Candidate: Hector Jaramillo

What you need to know about Jaramillo: According to his campaign website, his top issues are abortion access, reproductive rights and public education.

Previous experience: Jaramillo is a member of the Glendale Elementary School District Governing Board. He ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2022. He works in special education as a behavioral therapist.

Candidate: Anna Abeytia

What you need to know about Abeytia: She ran on a ticket with Rep. Analise Ortiz in 2022 but lost to the more centrist Rep. Lydia Hernandez.

Previous experience: Abeytia is a member of the Cartwright Elementary School District Governing Board.

District 25

Republican

Incumbent: Michael Carbone

What you need to know about Carbone: Carbone introduced a bill this session that would restrict early and mail-in voting with limited exceptions.

Previous experience: Carbone has served in the House since 2023. He previously worked at the Gila Bend School District as a building manager.

Candidate: Gary Garcia Snyder

What you need to know about Snyder: According to his campaign website, Snyder plans to introduce legislation to exempt veterans from property taxes, create a sales tax for tourists and prevent employers from discriminating based on vaccination status.

Previous experience: Snyder ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2020 and 2022. He runs a baseball league in Southern Arizona.

Candidate: Steve Markegard

What you need to know about Markegard: According to his campaign website, Markegard is a supporter of the anti-abortion movement, law enforcement and school choice.

Previous experience: Markegard is a retired construction manager. He is a precinct committeeman in Legislative District 25.

Candidate: Nick Kupper

What you need to know about Kupper: According to his campaign website, Kupper is anti-abortion, pro-Second Amendment and pro-school choice.

Previous experience: Kupper is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a paralegal.

Democrat

Candidate: Bill Olear

What you need to know about Olear: His top priorities are protecting water resources, abortion access and public schools, according to his campaign website.

Previous experience: Olear owns a restaurant in Surprise and is a former sales manager for Mobil Oil.

Other candidates

Nathan Madden is running as a Libertarian.

District 26

Democrats

Incumbent: Cesar Aguilar

What you need to know about Aguilar: Aguilar introduced a bill this session to prohibit cities from banning car cruising, a popular Mexican American cultural tradition in the state.

Previous experience: Aguilar has served in the House since 2023. He previously served on the Balsz Elementary School District Governing Board. Aguilar works for the nonprofit Arizona Students’ Association, where he was previously the executive director.

Incumbent: Quantá Crews

What you need to know about Crews: Crews is the chair of the Legislature’s Black Caucus.

Previous experience: Crews has served in the House since 2023 after being appointed to fill the vacancy left by Bravo leaving for the Senate. Crews is a real estate appraiser and a minister at the Historic Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Other candidates

Frank Roberts and Skyla Edwards are running as Republicans.

District 27

Republican

Candidate: Lisa Fink

What you need to know about Fink: According to her campaign website, some of Fink’s top issues are ensuring election integrity, protecting school choice and securing the border.

Previous experience: Fink is a parents’ rights advocate and has worked with the Protect Arizona Children Coalition and Mommy Lobby AZ. She is a registered dietitian.

Candidate: Brian Morris

What you need to know about Morris: Some of his top priorities are supporting small businesses, securing the southern border, and ending human and drug trafficking, according to his campaign website.

Previous experience: Morris ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2022. He owns a pool repair and construction company.

Candidate: Tony Rivero

What you need to know about Rivero: In 2018, Rivero was featured on a list of lawmakers with the most absences in the Legislature. During his time in the House, Rivero was an advocate for decriminalizing clean needle exchanges to help reduce opioid deaths.

Previous experience: Rivero served in the House from 2015 to 2020. He also served on Peoria City Council.

Democrat

Candidate: Deborah Howard

What you need to know about Howard: According to her campaign website, Howard is a former Republican and a breast cancer survivor.

Previous experience: Howard has experience in public affairs and political consulting. She has worked with advocacy groups like Indivisible and MoveOn.

Other candidates

Linda Busam is running as a Republican.

District 28

Republican

Incumbent: David Livingston

What you need to know about Livingston: Livingston revealed in January 2023 that he connected with a daughter he didn’t know he had after a fling during his college days.

Previous experience: Livingston has served in the House since 2023. He served in the chamber from 2013 to 2018 before serving in the Senate from 2019 to 2022. Livingston ran for state treasurer in 2022, but withdrew from the race before the primaries. He is a former financial advisor.

Incumbent: Beverly Pingerelli

What you need to know about Pingerelli: Pingerelli was among a group of Republican lawmakers who continued to question the results of the 2020 presidential election in the following years.

Previous experience: Pingerelli has served in the House since 2021. She previously served on the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board.

Candidate: Susan Black

What you need to know about Black: She is a founding member of Hope Church, a campus ministry that was removed from Arizona State University’s Council of Religious Advisors for allegations of stalking and hazing students. According to her campaign website, some of Black’s top issues are education, border security and the state budget.

Previous experience: Black ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2022. She is a real estate agent.

Democrat

Candidate: Barbara Fike

What you need to know about Fike: According to her campaign website, some of Fike’s top issues are affordable housing, the state’s water supply and education.

Previous experience: Fike is a retired middle and high school teacher. She currently teaches part-time at Glendale Community College.

District 29

Republican

Incumbent: Steve Montenegro

What you need to know about Montenegro: In 2018, Montenegro was accused of having an affair with a junior legislative staffer, but denied the allegations. This year, Montenegro introduced a controversial bill that would make border crossings a state crime, allowing state and local law enforcement to arrest people who cross the border illegally. The bill’s Senate counterpart was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs in March.

Previous experience: Montenegro has served in the House since 2023. He served in the chamber from 2009 to 2015 and then in the Senate from 2016 to 2019. Montenegro ran unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in 2018 and for the state House in 2020. He is a Christian minister.

Candidate: James Taylor

What you need to know about Taylor: He entered the race as a write-in candidate after Rep. Austin Smith withdrew his candidacy following accusations that he forged nominating petition signatures. He has received endorsem*nts from incumbents Montenegro and Shamp.

Previous experience: Taylor previously worked in management at the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant.

Democrats

Candidate: Tanairi Ochoa-Martinez

What you need to know about Ochoa-Martinez: Some of her priorities are education, small businesses and reproductive rights, according to her campaign website.

Previous experience: Ochoa-Martinez previously served on the Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board. She is currently a PhD candidate at Arizona State University studying bi-national economic development.

Other candidates

Tom Tzitzura is running as a Democrat.

District 30

Republicans

Incumbent: Leo Biasiucci

What you need to know about Biasiucci: He is the House majority leader. This session, he introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis by banning cities from requiring homeowners’ associations and minimum home sizes. That bill was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Previous experience: Biasiucci has served in the House since 2019. He owns a driving school in Lake Havasu City.

Incumbent: John Gillette

What you need to know about Gillette: Gillette has denied that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

Previous experience: Gillette has served in the House since 2023. He is an army veteran and retired sheriff's deputy. Gillette is also a contributor to the conservative site Red Voice Media.

Other candidates

Monica Timberlake is running as a Democrat.