Release: A Powerful Coalition of Arizona Democratic State Legislative Nominees Integral to Flipping the Legislature This Year
Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee solidifies target nominees for the general election
PHOENIX, AZ – As the general election officially begins, Democratic state legislative nominees represent a powerful, diverse coalition of Democrats ready to win in districts across Arizona. Democratic nominees across the state have started engaging with general election voters on the issues that matter to them the most, as the race for control of the legislature is officially underway.
“It’s not just control of the legislature that’s at stake on the ballot this year. It’s the future of Arizona. Our strong slate of Democrats envision a future where every child receives a great public education, where the dream of homeownership is achievable, where the middle class is thriving, and the right to healthcare, including abortion, is protected,” said ADLCC Executive Director, Elsa O’Callaghan. “Our Democratic nominees are focused on the issues facing every Arizonan. We know how much is at stake in this election, and our nominees are working tirelessly to build an Arizona that works for everyone.”
The Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is also highlighting its target nominees in five battleground legislative districts. The ADLCC is supporting eleven nominees across five legislative districts to either protect Democratic incumbents or pick up seats for Democrats in the legislature with the ultimate goal of taking back power for Arizonans at the State Capitol.
The Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee will be focusing on 11 races across legislative districts in 2, 4, 9, 13, and 16.
Legislative District 2
Representative Judy Schwiebert was a teacher at local high schools for 27 years. In 2020, she ran for – and won – a seat in the Arizona House. This year, she is running for re-election for the State House against incumbent Representative Justin Wilmeth and Christian Lamar.
Jeanne Casteen was an educator and now serves as the executive director of a local nonprofit focused on advocacy and protecting the Constitution. She is running for the State Senate against incumbent State Senator Steve Kaiser.
Legislative District 4
Laura Terech was a former educator, and now serves as the Request to Speak and Testimony Coordinator for Civic Engagement Beyond Voting in addition to working as the Elections Advocacy Organizer for All Voting is Local. She is running for the State House against Maria Syms and Matt Gress.
Senator Christine Marsh was Arizona’s 2016 Teacher of the Year and is in her fourth decade of teaching. In her first term, she's already passed legislation to mitigate the impact of our state's fentanyl crisis and led the effort to fight severe cuts to our schools. Christine is running for re-election against incumbent Senator Nancy Barto.
Legislative District 9
Lorena Austin is a 5th-generation Arizonan who has experience working in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Her family has been rooted in Mesa for nearly a century.
Seth Blattman is a lifelong Arizonan and small business owner of a furniture manufacturing shop. Blattman and Austin are running for the State House and will face Mary Ann Mendoza and Kathy Pearce.
Eva Burch is a nurse practitioner, whose focus is on reproductive health. She worked as an ER nurse for several years before that. She is running for the State Senate against Robert Scantlebury.
Legislative District 13
Representative Jennifer Pawlik was first elected in 2018 as the first Democrat and the first woman to represent her district. She is a native Arizonan and has been a teacher for more than 20 years. Jennifer is running for re-election against Liz Harris and Julie Willoughby.
Cindy Hans has been a resident of Arizona for nearly three decades and is a retired public school educator, serving in various capacities including teacher, assistant principal, principal, technology specialist, and grant administrator. She is running for the State Senate against incumbent Senator J. D. Mesnard.
Legislative District 16
Keith Seaman served as an educator for 40 years and is currently Vice President of the Coolidge Unified District School Board, and a delegate to the Arizona School Board Association. He is running for the State House and will face Rob Hudelson and incumbent Representative Teresa Martinez.
Taylor Kerby is a 5th generation Arizonan and is currently a teacher in Casa Grande where he is raising his two young daughters. Since 2020, he has also served on the Casa Grande Union High School Governing Board. Kerby is running for the State Senate and will face incumbent Senator TJ Shope.
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