Arizona Guide
To view your current elected officials, click here.
Upcoming Election
Arizona Primary Election: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Race for State Senate District 6
Race for State Senate District 9
Race for State Senate District 11
C+
Race for State Senate District 14
B+
Elizabeth Brown
(D)
Again we get to thank LD9 Representative Pam Powers-Hannley for getting the candidates on record. In her August 6th post on Blog for Arizona, Powers-Hannley notes Brown wants to decriminalize cannabis as a way to address the private prison industry problem.
D
Warren Petersen
(R)
Though Petersen has claimed to support cannabis reform, his record hasn’t shown it. When he talks about the issue in his caucus he's still speaking reefer madness.
Race for State Senate District 15
Race for State Senate District 16
C
T.J. Shope
(R)
For years Shope has quietly supported cannabis reforms and shown some leadership on a couple of bills.
Race for State Senate District 17
D
Vince Leach
(R)
The most active prohibitionist over the last few years. Filed 6 anti-cannabis bills last session.
Race for State Senate District 18
Race for State Senate District 19
B
Bob Karp
(D)
Easily the longest early response thus far came from Karp after a round of round 2 phone tag: “I think you’re looking for a simple answer to a complex question. The answer you’re looking for is that I support complete decriminalization of cannabis. Sorry I’m not there yet there on this for many reasons:
1. Without federal action this leads to a variety of state laws that may or may not create more problems than they solve. My concern is that there even in states such as California and Colorado, legitimate sellers and growers still do not have proper access to the banking system. Too much cash flowing through the industry allows for graft and corruption.
2. If one of the reasons for decriminalization is to get recreational users out of the black market, there is still a need to have states get real about tax policy. From what I have read, high state taxes have made licensed sellers non-competitive with the black market. So there is still an issue about how states tax and regulate.
3. I am in favor of medical marijuana use and, we of course have a problem here in Arizona regarding the sale of “edibles” (I’m not sure this is the right term) based on a recent course decision. This points out the problem of using the initiative process to write complicated law. This should be done by the legislature with hearings, etc.
4. I’m in a wait and see position on complete decriminalization in Arizona based on the above. Also I want to get another year or so of results from Colorado and particularly California on how this works. If we can get the federal government to decriminalize then I would take a serious look at getting Arizona law updated.
As a Dem in a lopsided red district, I want to empathize with the desire to sound as reasonable and reasoned as possible. And the former English teacher in me makes me want to applaud his effort and give him an … , well you know, but we’re grading folks on cannabis positions here, not essay structure and cogence of thought, so, B
C-
David Gowan
(R)
A returning state legislator who has opposed the issue in the past.
Race for State Senate District 20
Race for State Senate District 21
A
Rosanna Gabaldón
(D)
Another longtime supporter, Rep Gabaldon has seen personal medical miracles for her family and friends. Gabaldon writes: “Cannabis use is an issue that needs to be addressed in our state, and I would support legalizing recreational use. Arizona suffers from high incarceration rates, where non-violent offenders are jailed alongside violent offenders, which can lead to high recidivism rates. This places a burden on our law enforcement and a financial burden on our state.”
Race for State Senate District 22
Race for State Senate District 23
Race for State Senate District 24
Race for State Senate District 26
Race for State Senate District 27
A+
Kevin Payne
(R)
The real deal, Payne was the driving force in the House behind the testing bill HR1820 and plans an aggressive reform agenda for the 2019 legislative session.
Race for State Senate District 28
Race for State Senate District 29
Race for State Senate District 30
A
J'aime Morgaine
(D)
A dedicated liberal, Morgaine successfully challenged US Rep. Paul Gosar for blocking her on Twitter. Ms. Morgaine weighed in for the general election survey, “As a veteran living with service-connected PTSD, I have researched medical marijuana extensively, and strongly oppose the federal government's position that cannabis has no redeeming medical value. My personal diagnosis qualifies for medicinal use of cannabis, yet the VA does not prescribe, provide, or pay for the medical marijuana that could potentially be a much more effective treatment (and is certainly less toxic) than the "approved" drugs they WILL prescribe and provide. I fully support Arizona's medical marijuana program, and if elected, will work to reduce the criminal penalties Arizonans currently face for possessing cannabis. I absolutely favor legalizing cannabis for adults at the federal and state levels. Beyond that, I will work to include medical marijuana in the prescription formularies that determine insurance-provided "pharmaceuticals." Senator Borrelli is anything but a reformer. He doesn't support legalization of cannabis. And, he can't even talk about the hemp legalization bill without qualifying his participation by saying (repeatedly), "It's rope, not dope." I am the only LD5 Senate candidate who will actually fight for the right of Arizonans to use cannabis without fear of governmental reprisal and will do so publicly and proudly.”
Race for State House District 1
Race for State House District 2
Race for State House District 3
Race for State House District 4
B+
Kelli Butler
(D)
A former party leader, Butler is a powerhouse in the House and a supporter on reform.
Race for State House District 5
Race for State House District 6
B-
Jamescita Peshlakai
(D)
Signed on several bills over the years, but no leadership on issue.
Race for State House District 7
F
Walt Blackman
(R)
After repeated attempts to give Blackman a chance to respond, he sent the brief note, “I'm not interested.” Duly noted.
Race for State House District 8
A+
Juan Mendez
(D)
A leader in AZ legislative cannabis reform, Mendez has filed and backed bills for years on reform.
Race for State House District 9
Race for State House District 10
Race for State House District 11
Race for State House District 12
Race for State House District 14
Race for State House District 15
Race for State House District 16
Race for State House District 17
Race for State House District 18
Race for State House District 20
Race for State House District 21
Race for State House District 22
A-
Lupe Contreras
(D)
While never a leader on the issue, Contreras has provided steady support and signed onto reform bills for the past several years.
Race for State House District 23
Race for State House District 24
Race for State House District 25
Race for State House District 26
Race for State House District 27
B-
Tony Rivero
(R)
A bit more supportive than most in his caucus, especially regarding defelonization, but still shy on leadership.
Race for State House District 28
C-
David Livingston
(R)
Formerly resistant, has lightened position somewhat, assisted the testing bill this year.
Race for State House District 30
D
Leo Biasiucci
(R)
A former Green Party candidate, Biasiucci had claimed to support cannabis reform measures in 2016. However, his dramatic party shift and current billing as a “Trump Conservative,” bring all his positions into question.
Your Elected Officials
Governor
C-
Katie Hobbs
(D)
Despite long reputation for reforming agenda, refuses to answer anything on marijuana.
Attorney General
U.S. Senate
A-
Mark Kelly
(D)
U.S. Senate
B+
Kyrsten Sinema
(I)
While avoiding the topic in general, Sinema has issued statements calling for the federal government to allow state programs to operate without interference and for increased access for veterans.
U.S. House District 1
C
David Schweikert
(R)
U.S. House District 2
U.S. House District 3
A+
Ruben Gallego
(D)
U.S. House District 4
A
Greg Stanton
(D)
U.S. House District 5
F
Andy Biggs
(R)
U.S. House District 6
U.S. House District 7
A+
Raul Grijalva
(D)
U.S. House District 8
F
Debbie Lesko
(R)
Outspoken against legalization as late as 2018, continues to vote against progressive legislation reform in 2019.
U.S. House District 9
F
Paul Gosar
(R)
State Senate District 1
State Senate District 2
State Senate District 3
F
John Kavanagh
(R)
State Senate District 4
C
Christine Marsh
(D)
State Senate District 5
A-
Lela Alston
(D)
State Senate District 6
State Senate District 7
D+
Wendy Rogers
(R)
State Senate District 8
A+
Juan Mendez
(D)
A leader in AZ legislative cannabis reform, Mendez has filed and backed bills for years on reform.
State Senate District 9
State Senate District 10
D+
David Farnsworth
(R)
State Senate District 11
C+
State Senate District 12
B
Mitzi Epstein
(D)
State Senate District 13
D-
Javan Mesnard
(R)
State Senate District 14
D
Warren Petersen
(R)
Though Petersen has claimed to support cannabis reform, his record hasn’t shown it. When he talks about the issue in his caucus he's still speaking reefer madness.
State Senate District 15
State Senate District 16
C
T.J. Shope
(R)
For years Shope has quietly supported cannabis reforms and shown some leadership on a couple of bills.
State Senate District 17
State Senate District 18
State Senate District 19
C-
David Gowan
(R)
A returning state legislator who has opposed the issue in the past.
State Senate District 20
State Senate District 21
A
Rosanna Gabaldón
(D)
Another longtime supporter, Rep Gabaldon has seen personal medical miracles for her family and friends. Gabaldon writes: “Cannabis use is an issue that needs to be addressed in our state, and I would support legalizing recreational use. Arizona suffers from high incarceration rates, where non-violent offenders are jailed alongside violent offenders, which can lead to high recidivism rates. This places a burden on our law enforcement and a financial burden on our state.”
State Senate District 22
State Senate District 23
State Senate District 24
State Senate District 25
D
Sine Kerr
(R)
A midterm replacement, Kerr kept under the radar, but did vote for SB1420, the testing bill
State Senate District 26
State Senate District 27
D
Anthony Kern
(R)
State Senate District 28
State Senate District 29
State Senate District 30
C-
Sonny Borrelli
(R)
Despite a strong anti-legalization stance, Borrelli has emerged as a leading GOP reformer on medical cannabis issues, pushing through the 2018 hemp bill and working over a year on an unsuccessful bill that would have established testing standards for the industry.
State House District 1
State House District 2
State House District 3
State House District 4
State House District 5
A+
Jennifer Longdon
(D)
Usually, only incumbents can truly be judged on their past work, but Longdon actually worked in the industry, making her one of the strongest cannabis candidates on record this election. See for yourself: “I was involved in the MMJ movement in its early days in Arizona as a caregiver. I briefly worked for the first collective in the state. I also helped write several dispensary applications for the first lottery and my pro-MMJ article appeared in the Phoenix New Times. Further, I support legalization of cannabis for recreational use. I would like to see cannabis treated and taxed like alcohol.”
State House District 6
B-
Jamescita Peshlakai
(D)
Signed on several bills over the years, but no leadership on issue.
State House District 7
C
David Cook
(R)
State House District 8
B-
Melody Hernandez
(D)
State House District 9
State House District 10
State House District 11
State House District 12
State House District 13
C
Jennifer Pawlik
(D)
Like Steve Weichert, a returning candidate for LD17 Senate, Pawlik has a track record of challenging the GOP incumbents on a variety of issues … but avoiding this one.
State House District 14
B-
Travis Grantham
(R)
An urban moderate conservative, Grantham has grown to to a supporter on defelonization, hemp and testing.
State House District 15
State House District 16
State House District 17
State House District 18
State House District 19
D
Gail Griffin
(R)
Staunch opponent.
State House District 20
State House District 21
State House District 22
A-
Lupe Contreras
(D)
While never a leader on the issue, Contreras has provided steady support and signed onto reform bills for the past several years.
State House District 23
State House District 24
State House District 25
C
Tim Dunn
(R)
New to legislature, no clear track record so far.
State House District 26
State House District 27
C
Ben Toma
(R)
A+
Kevin Payne
(R)
The real deal, Payne was the driving force in the House behind the testing bill HR1820 and plans an aggressive reform agenda for the 2019 legislative session.
State House District 28
C-
David Livingston
(R)
Formerly resistant, has lightened position somewhat, assisted the testing bill this year.
State House District 29
D
Steve Montenegro
(R)
State House District 30
D
Leo Biasiucci
(R)
A former Green Party candidate, Biasiucci had claimed to support cannabis reform measures in 2016. However, his dramatic party shift and current billing as a “Trump Conservative,” bring all his positions into question.