Press Release: What to Know About Republicans in Legislative District 2
Spoiler alert: LD2 Republicans focus is on banning abortion and taking away the right to vote
PHOENIX - As we approach Arizona’s July 30th Primary Election, we’re highlighting some of the most extreme positions Republicans in LD2 are taking ahead of the election. In LD2, Republican candidates include Shawnna Bolick and Josh Barnett for the Senate, and Ari Bradshaw and Justin Wilmeth for the House and will face off against Judy Schwiebert and Stephanie Simacek in November. They have an extensive track record promoting conspiracy theories and pushing abortion bans:
Shawnna Bolick, Senate
Cosponsored and voted for Arizona’s 15-week abortion ban, which opened the door for the 1864 ban to take effect.
Called a 15-week abortion ban “common sense.”
Encouraged people not to sign the Arizonans for Abortion Access initiative.
Signed a pledge from Right to Life opposing the Arizonans for Abortion Access initiative.
Sponsored legislation to allow the legislature to overturn the will of the voters.
Signed a resolution asking Congress to accept the fake electors.
Josh Barnett, Senate
Opposes abortion access.
Wants the Arizona legislature to appoint the electors to Donald Trump, overriding the will of the people.
Has called being transgender a “mental disorder,” and Pride Month and celebrating LGBTQ+ people “nauseating”.
Has called public schools “indoctrination centers” and thinks Arizona provides schools with too much funding—despite public school funding being only two-thirds of the national average.
Ari Bradshaw, House
Opposes nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Arizonans.
Endorsed by Alex Kolodin who signed the RNC platform minority report calling for a “end to ‘the scourge of abortion.’”
Justin Wilmeth, House
In 2022, he was endorsed by the Center for Arizona Policy and Senator Nancy Barto. Senator Barto sponsored the 15-week abortion ban and the Center for Arizona Policy opposes abortion and supported the 1864 total abortion ban.
Voted for SCR1040, which would lower the minimum wage for tipped workers.
Voted for bills that could punish teachers for teaching a true and accurate history of the United States.
Voted to allow guns on college campuses and require NRA firearm classes in public schools.
Democrats are only two seats away in both the State House of Representatives and the State Senate from flipping control of the legislature for the first time in 60 years. Democrats are ready to combat Republican extremism and provide serious leadership for Arizonans.
LD2 is expected to be one of the most competitive districts this November. The district is currently represented in the House by Democrat Judy Schwiebert and Republican Justin Wilmeth; Schwiebert is now running for the Senate and Democrat Stephanie Simacek is running for the State House.