(The Center Square) – Fourteen legislative districts will see new representatives in the state House of Representatives. There were multiple flips in the House with four seats flipping Republican and one flipping Democrat. Here are the newcomers:
Legislative District 2
Stephanie Simacek has claimed Rep. Judy Schwiebert’s vacated seat, keeping a partial Democratic hold on LD 2. She will be joining Republican incumbent Justin Wilmeth.
Simacek has spent her career in education, teaching for the Deer Valley Unified School District and then going on to become a member of the district’s governing board. Her priorities in the legislature include education, water challenges, housing crisis and reproductive freedom.
Legislative District 4
The GOP now has full control over LD 4, after Republican Pamela Carter won Democrat Eric Meyer’s open seat. Carter will be joining Republican Incumbent Matt Gress.
“We’ve picked up the second LD4 seat,” reads a post by Carter on X. “Together, we’ll make Arizona and America strong, healthy and vibrant again!!”
Carter narrowly beat out the district’s Democratic challenger Kelli Butler by fewer than 3,000 votes.
Legislative District 5
Aaron Marquez will be taking Charles Lucking’s seat in LD 5 after beating him out in the primary elections and general election Republican opponent Reina Patocs. He will be joining Democratic incumbent Sarah Liguori.
Marquez is an army veteran who served two Afghanistan deployments and has advocated for veteran benefits. Additionally, he has worked on numerous Arizona Democratic political campaigns and currently serves on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board.
Legislative District 7
Walt Blackman is back in the House after representing LD 7 between 2019 and 2022 where he was the first Republican Black American to be elected to the Arizona House of Representatives. He will be filling Republican Rep. David Cook’s open seat to serve alongside Incumbent David Marshall.
Legislative District 8
Two new Democrats will fill the party’s vacated seats in LD 8. Janeen Connolly and Brian Garcia will take Melody Hernandez and Deborah Nardozzi’s place in the House.
Connolly and Garcia are both new to Arizona’s political landscape. However, Connolly has spent many years in Arizona civic engagement, serving on different community leadership boards and Garcia has spent his time in school and as a graduate, advocating for underserved communities.
Legislative District 10
Justin Olson and Ralph Heap are claiming LD 10’s open House seats, keeping the district Republican. Olson has spent many years serving in government positions, first as a representative for LD 25 and then a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission. In contrast, Heap has not had a political career and is a physician who has worked as an orthopedic surgeon for 40 years.
Legislative District 13
Jeff Weninger flipped another House seat Republican, beating out Democratic opponent Brandy Reese. He will be joining incumbent Julie Willoughby. Weninger will be returning to the House to represent LD 13 after serving in LD 17 from 2015 to 2023.
Legislative District 14
Khyl Powell took Travis Grantham’s open seat, keeping LD 14 Republican. Powell will be joining Incumbent Laurin Hendrix in the House. Powell was an employee of the Phoenix Police Department and the FBI, has served on the Gilbert Planning and Zoning Board and has supported local businesses.
Legislative District 15
Michael Way has claimed LD 15’s vacated seat, maintaining a GOP majority in the district. Way will be joining Incumbent Neal Carter. Way has run his campaign on the fact that he is not a politician and has had a career in business.
Legislative District 16
Republican Chris Lopez has flipped LD 16’s formerly Democratic seat, ousting Democratic incumbent Keith Seaman. Lopez will be joining Republican incumbent Teresa Martinez.
“The results of the election are disappointing of course,” reads a statement from Seaman. “As a representative the last two years, I’ve worked hard, often against the grain, to legislate for a brighter future for our district.”
Lopez is a small business owner whose priorities include lowering taxes, protecting gun rights and investing in Arizona schools.
Legislative District 17
LD 17 has the only seat in the legislature to flip Democrat, with Democrat Kevin Volk beating out Cory McGarr. Volk is a small business owner and has held numerous civic leadership positions in Arizona.
“The people have made their voice heard – we received 7% more votes than our opponent,” reads a statement from Volk. “People are tired of extreme, divisive politics. They want leaders to focus on public service – getting things done that improve lives for Arizonans.”
Legislative District 25
Nick Kupper is taking Tim Dunn’s vacated LD 25 seat and will be joining Incumbent Michael Carbone, keeping the district Republican. Kupper, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is another candidate who is running on the fact that he is not a politician.
“We need lawmakers the way they used to be — servants from outside the world of politics who fulfill their civic duties, then return to their families and first careers,” reads his website.
Legislative District 27
Two Republican newcomers will be filling LD 27’s empty seats. Republican Tony Rivero will be returning to the legislature after he served three terms representing LD 21 and while Republican Lisa Fink has not previously held political office, she has been active in local politics and civic issues for 25 years, focusing on education and child welfare issues.
Legislative District 29
James Taylor will take Austin Smith’s open seat, keeping LD 29 Republican. Taylor will be joining Republican Incumbent Steve Montenegro. Taylor is a retiree who worked at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station for 30 years.
