RELEASE: Slate of Democratic Nominees Announced in Key Battleground Districts
ARIZONA - Arizona is on the verge of making history this November. With a Democratic trifecta within reach, the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (ADLCC) is proud to announce its battleground nominees in the key legislative districts that will decide control of the state legislature.
“This slate of candidates, with their experience in public service, national security, public education, and military service, is ready to make history, flip the legislature, and put the interests of the people of Arizona first,” said ADLCC Board Co-Chairs Sen. Priya Sundareshan and Rep. Oscar De Los Santos.
LD 2:
Rep. Stephanie Simacek is running for re-election to the Arizona House of Representatives. Simacek is a mom, teacher, volunteer, and Deer Valley Unified School District governing board member.
Dr. Amelia Gallitano is running for the State Senate and is a board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and professor who has spent her career serving Arizona families. Dr. Gallitano currently serves as Director of the MD/ PhD Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix.
LD 4:
Tammy Caputi and Karen Gresham are running for the Arizona House of Representatives. Caputi is a business owner, former Scottsdale City Councilmember, and community advocate. Gresham is serving in her second term as a member of the Madison Elementary School District governing board and is a former CPA.
Aaron Lieberman is running for the State Senate and is the founder & CEO of Buzze Inc, an Arizona-based company focused on accelerating EV adoption in multifamily housing. Lieberman also co-founded Jumpstart, a nonprofit to improve early literacy and school readiness, and later started Acelero Learning, which delivers high-quality early education and support to underserved communities.
LD 9:
Representative Lorena Austin is running for re-election to the Arizona House of Representatives. Austin is a fifth-generation Arizonan, and in the House they successfully secured funding for affordable housing initiatives, workforce development programs, community resources, and local infrastructure projects, while fighting to protect public education and expand access to critical services.
Jacob Martinez is running for the Arizona House of Representatives. Martinez is a lifelong Mesa resident, a graduate of ASU Law, and a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve who has dedicated his life to serving his community and country.
Incumbent State Senator Kiana Maria Sears is running and has worked to secure meaningful investments for Arizona communities. In the Senate, she helped deliver funding for career and technical education programs, community college workforce training, arts and culture initiatives, services for older adults, and nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
LD 13:
Jacob Weinberg and Dr. Racquel "Rockee" Armstrong are running for the Arizona House of Representatives. Weinberg is a U.S. Army combat veteran, a small business owner who has spent more than two decades leading teams and serving others, and the Chief Financial Officer of an Arizona-based technology solutions company. Dr. Armstrong is an educator, community leader, and advocate who has spent her career helping students and families succeed through her work as a teacher, coach, school administrator, and university assistant professor.
Kristie O’Brien is running for the State Senate. O’Brien is an attorney, mediator, and former congressional staffer with experience working for both Republicans and Democrats. O'Brien is committed to using her legal experience to fight for her community and propose common-sense solutions to issues facing Arizona’s working families.
LD 16:
Julia Gusse is running for the Arizona House of Representatives to represent Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa counties. From serving on the Maricopa City Council to advocating for veterans and military families as an Advisor with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gusse has dedicated her life to serving her community and country.
LD 17:
Representative Kevin Volk is running for re-election to the Arizona House of Representatives. Volk is a small business owner, former teacher, and lifelong Southern Arizonan who has dedicated his career to serving his community and creating opportunities for working families.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Holly Lyon is running for the Arizona House of Representatives. Lyon served 26 years in the United States Air Force, where she led large teams, managed complex operations, and developed the leadership skills needed to tackle tough challenges and deliver results. She commanded twice, led international negotiations at NATO HQ, and saved hundreds of millions of dollars negotiating IT contracts for the Air Force.
Edgar Soto is running for the State Senate. Soto is an educator, currently serving as the Vice President of Pima Community College. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and community leader who has spent his career creating opportunities for Southern Arizona families.
LD 23:
Representative Mariana Sandoval is running for re-election to the Arizona House of Representatives. Sandoval is a resident of Goodyear, Arizona, and has served in the Arizona State House since November 2023.
Emilia Cortez is running for the Arizona House of Representatives. Cortez has over two decades of experience in economic development and community planning and has successfully advocated for the expansion of early childhood education facilities and the protection of Arizona’s natural heritage.
Senator Brian Fernandez grew up in Yuma, Arizona, and is the incumbent seeking re-election to the State Senate.