VRLA WOMEN TO WATCH 2024
Arizona, meet your candidates
Arizona’s primary election day was Tuesday, July 30.
These candidates are seeking to bring new perspectives and real progressive change to communities throughout the state and we appreciate all of them stepping up. Congratulations to all the winners!
State Senate Candidates
Judy Schwiebert
Senate District 2
Representative Judy Schwiebert, raised in the West Valley, began her career as an educator at Greenway High School before becoming a school librarian at Cactus High. She co-founded Theater Works and served on its board, promoting community collaboration. In the Legislature, Schwiebert advocates for education and community-focused solutions.
Christine Marsh
Senate District 4
Senator Christine Marsh is a lifelong resident of her community. She attended Scottsdale schools, including Chaparral High. Marsh has taught English for 29 years and was named Arizona Teacher of the Year in 2016. A former foster parent and mother of two, she continues to teach, and runs daily in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
Lela Alston
Senate District 5
Senator Lela Alston leads with a lens toward defending democracy, equality and civil rights. Alston is a native of Phoenix and has been a public servant since 1976, serving in both the House and the Senate. As a teacher of 34 years, she also sits on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board.
Theresa Hatathalie
Senate District 6
Senator Theresa Hatathalie represents eight indigenous nations and eight counties. She is Diné, a member of the Deer Springs Clan. She’s a cultural consultant, weaving Navajo rugs and beading jewelry, and has managed youth programs for 20+ years. Hatathalie has represented the Western Agency of the Navajo Reservation on the Diné College Board of Regents since 2012.
Haley Creighton
Senate District 7
Haley Creighton is a native Arizonan who graduated from Northern Arizona University. They are the Northern Regional Director for Arizona Students’ Association working to mobilize students on voting rights. They support public education funding. A queer activist, they protest for rights and autonomy, aiming to amplify marginalized voices and challenge Arizona’s status quo.
Lauren Kuby
Senate District 8
Lauren Kuby is a former two-term vice mayor and councilmember in Tempe. She has been recognized as a national champion for climate action. Retired from ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation, she continues to advocate for her community and climate solutions. In the Legislature, Kuby vows to continue fighting for social, economic, environmental and racial justice.
Eva Burch
Senate District 9
Arizona-born and -raised, Senator Eva Burch studied nursing at Pima Medical Institute and has worked in Phoenix and Mesa’s emergency rooms, seeing firsthand the impact of disparities like insurance issues and homelessness. Committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive Arizona and improving healthcare, Burch values nursing’s ethics of altruism, autonomy, dignity, integrity, honesty and justice.
Denise 'Mitzi' Epstein
Senate District 12
Senator Mitzi Epstein believes in free and fair elections with maximum voting access for all qualified citizens. She’s been instrumental in stopping dozens of bills that would significantly disenfranchise Arizonans and reduce access to the ballot box. Epstein is a small business owner, founder of multiple student advocacy organizations, and former Kyrene School District Governing Board member.
Elizabeth Brown
Senate District 14
Elizabeth Brown has called Arizona home for over 40 years. In this time, she has tirelessly been an advocate for rights and freedoms. With experience in constituent services under Governors Napolitano and Brewer, she bridges divides for effective governance. Brown prioritizes school funding and educational freedom, and supports women’s health care freedoms and rights.
Stacey Seaman
Senate District 16
Stacey Seaman grew up in rural Arizona and has dedicated herself to community service and education. She began advocating early, supporting her father’s legislative campaign at 16. Seeking her Ph.D in Music Education, she is currently an educator in Casa Grande schools. Seaman is running to enhance local communities by prioritizing education funding and healthcare access.
Priya Sundareshan
Senate District 18
Senator Priya Sundareshan was born and raised in Tucson. She teaches natural resources law at the University of Arizona and is an advocate for sustainable management. With degrees in engineering, law, and natural resources, she prioritizes science-based policymaking and is committed to renewable energy, water conservation, fully funded schools, accessible voting and protecting rights.
Sally Gonzales
Senate District 20
Senator Sally Ann Gonzales has dedicated decades to public service in the legislature and on the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council. With a background in education and multicultural studies, she champions quality education, healthcare, and rights for women, children and employees. She advocates for and promotes the rights of minority populations, especially Indigenous and Hispanic communities.
Rosanna Gabaldon
Senate District 21
Senator Rosanna Gabaldon is dedicated to community involvement and effective leadership, focusing on water sustainability, public education and economic development. With a strong belief in cooperative leadership, she aims to build a brighter future for Arizona. Prior to her time in the Senate, she served as a Representative in the state House and the Sahuarita Town Council.
Eva Diaz
Senate District 22
A lifelong Arizonan, Senator Eva Diaz has 27 years of experience in education, spanning instructor and administrative roles. Active in Chicanos Por La Causa, Eva co-owns Ni Hao Amigos Language Preschool in Avondale with her mother, Ruth, focusing on kindergarten readiness for young children. In the legislature, she is an education champion, defender of women’s rights and a climate activist.
Analise Ortiz
Senate District 24
Representative Analise Ortiz is a native Arizonan from Maryvale, raised with five siblings by educators who instilled in them care for their community. A graduate of ASU’s Cronkite School, she started as an investigative reporter exposing corruption and harmful legislation. At ACLU, Rep. Ortiz championed criminal justice and immigration reform.
State Representative Candidates
Stephanie Simacek
House District 2
Stephanie Simacek discovered her calling in the classroom, merging her love for learning with community service. Transitioning from full-time teaching as her youngest daughter faced some developmental challenges, Simacek remains dedicated to student advocacy. In 2022, she was elected to the Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board.
Kelli Butler
House District 4
Native Arizonan Kelli Butler made education a legislative priority while serving in the House from 2016 until 2023. In addition to co-managing Butler Family Dental with her husband, she has been actively involved in education and community service, serving on multiple boards and committees at schools and universities attended by her two sons, and by participating in local philanthropy.
Karen Gresham
House District 4
Karen Gresham, a third-generation Arizonan, retired from accounting to raise her three sons. She now focuses on community activism, volunteering extensively and advocating for public policy. As President of Madison Elementary School District Governing Board, she’s dedicated to improving Arizona’s schools. She aims to deliver practical solutions for her community.
Sarah Liguori
House District 5
Representative Sarah Liguori is dedicated to defending voting rights and advocating for public education and equity. She is a licensed Financial Advisor and small business owner. Liguori knows climate change must be addressed to provide a clean and healthy future for all Arizonans and their families.
Dorri Thyden
House District 5
Dorri Thyden began her activism as a junior in high school, launching Fountain Hills’ first Mayor’s Youth Council. Her recent advocacy efforts resulted in a detox facility relocating after moving within 1000 feet of an elementary school. Having to close her community art gallery due to the economic and policy impacts of COVID, she knows firsthand the challenges for small business owners.
Mae Peshlakai
House District 6
Representative Mae Peshlakai is Diné, Tingle People Clan and born for the Deer Water Clan. She is a Navajo elder and survivor of a U.S. Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school. Peshlakai is an accomplished jewelry artisan and weaver and is committed to being the voice of rural and tribal Arizona. Her daughter is former state Senator Jamescita Peshlakai.
Nancy Hartl
House District 7
Nancy Hartl is a retired U.S. Air Force Major, retired women’s health nurse practitioner and a former nursing union member. Hartl spends her time volunteering for political causes and serving as a signature verifier for the Pinal County Early Voting Office. She will carry her core value of service before self into the Legislature by advocating for the protection of sound, safe voting practices.
Janeen Connolly
House District 8
A Tempe resident for more than 40 years, Janeen Connolly is ready to use her experience as a grassroots activist to represent her community in the Legislature. She’s a proud single mom of four accomplished daughters. Connolly is the Past Chair of Superstition Vistas Steering Committee, the Past President of Tempe Leadership Board and VP of the Executive Board for the Central AZ College Foundation.
Lorena Austin
House District 9
Representative Lorena Austin is a fifth-generation Arizonan with deep roots in Mesa. They’ve dedicated their life to advocacy and leadership, inspired by their grandmother’s tireless work ethic dedicated to service. They’re driven by a vision of progress and equity, advocating for education access, amplifying student voices, championing LGBTQ+ rights, and amplifying marginalized voices.
Junelle Cavero
House District 11
Representative Junelle Cavero is a small business owner, who says she knows firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face and believes that effective assistance can make entrepreneurship an economic driver. Raised by a Vietnam vet and U.S. Postal carrier, Cavero is committed to social justice and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable by fighting discrimination.
Patricia Contreras
House District 12
Patty Contreras’ family roots are over 100 years deep in Arizona. She was the first in her family to graduate from college. After working for the City of Phoenix for 31 years, Contreras retired from that career and now is seeking to represent her community in the Legislature as an advocate for public education, senior resources, climate resilience, and equitable policies.
Anastasia Travers
House District 12
Representative Stacey Travers said she wants to expand opportunities for the next generation. As a mother, she frequently thinks about the legacy being left for children and that all Arizonans deserve a better future. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Travers is a dedicated advocate for veteran women’s issues and for homeless and disabled veterans, working to create an equitable future.
Brandy Reese
House District 13
Brandy Reese is an advocate for education and community safety. With a chemistry degree, she served 14 years at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as a forensic scientist, ensuring justice through accurate testimony. Based in the East Valley, Brandy supports educators and fights for local needs while opposing gun violence and defending freedoms in Arizona’s political landscape.
Barbara Beneitone
House District 15
Barb Beneitone is an Arizona native, born and raised in mining communities. She is pro-human rights and believes in equity for all, including women and the LGBTQ+ community. Beneitone is passionate that our democratic institutions must be strengthened and preserved. In the Legislature, she will pursue compassionate immigration reform and advocate on behalf of public education funding.
Nancy Gutierrez
House District 18
A Native Arizonan, Representative Nancy Gutierrez was named Minority Co-Whip in June 2023. She is a teacher, military spouse, and mother to two daughters. Passionate about education, she is on the Safety Committee at Tucson High Magnet School. She also advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and previously served as President of Tucson NOW.
Alma Hernandez
House District 20
Representative Alma Hernandez was born in south Tucson. She holds degrees in public health from the University of Arizona with additional training from Johns Hopkins. As a legislator, she’s supported Jewish family services, led efforts against ACA repeal, and aided HIV/AIDS patients locally. Her advocacy has earned accolades including the Walk the Talk award and Women’s Health Champion.
Betty Villegas
House District 20
A Tucson native, Representative Betty Villegas has extensive experience as Housing Program Manager for Pima County and Director of the Pima County Housing Center. Her career spans 18 years. Her prior experience includes serving on the Pima County Board of Supervisors and as the South Tucson Housing Authority Community Housing Director.
Consuelo Hernandez
House District 21
Representative Consuelo Hernandez advocates for education equity and government transparency. With a bachelor’s degree in Global Health from ASU, she mentors at-risk youth and fights for minority student success in higher education. Her activism is both local and global, from citizenship workshops to establishing free clinics in Panama and Ghana. She’s also the President of Sunnyside Unified Schools.
Briana Ortega
House District 21
Briana Ortega is an attorney and small business owner deeply committed to her community. As a law student, she clerked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and championed diversity in law. In her own practice, Ortega fights for justice, including a landmark case for Governor Raul Castro’s family. She follows a public service legacy in her immigrant family, driven by dedication and community advocacy.
Stephanie Stahl Hamilton
House District 21
Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton has deep Arizona roots, spending her early childhood years on Navajo Tribal lands. She is an ordained Presbyterian minister with a master’s degree in divinity from Princeton. She has served on TUSD’s Family Life Curriculum Committee, advocating for children’s well-being and against voucher expansion.
Elda Luna-Nájera
House District 22
Representative Elda Luna-Nájera has a master’s degree and doctorate in social work. She is dedicated to educational leadership and managing social programs in schools. Her first-generation Mexican American background informs her commitment to public service and education. She aims to continue focusing on youth empowerment and community service.
Betsy Muñoz
House District 22
Betsy Muñoz is a proud Latina born and raised in Arizona by immigrant parents. A graduate of Arizona State University in Public Service and Public Policy, she supports college access and readiness in local schools. Through her firsthand education experience, she aims to address gaps in public education through legislative advocacy for students, families and communities.
Mariana Sandoval
House District 23
Representative Mariana Sandoval is a proud daughter and great-granddaughter of Mexican immigrants. Her family chose to call Goodyear home so their children to have a better life. She previously worked in the Arizona Attorney General’s office and served on the Agua Fria Union High School District governing board for four years, focused on expanding opportunities for traditionally underserved constituents.
Anna Abeytia
House District 24
Anna Abeytia was born and raised in Maryvale. Influenced by her grandparents’ civil rights activism and their commitment to standing up for what is right, she is dedicated to community involvement. As the youngest member of the Cartwright Governing School Board, Abeytia has extended her impact beyond campaign work to advocate for school and community improvement in Arizona.
Quantá Crews
House District 26
Representative the Rev. Quantá Crews, a community advocate and an associate minister at The Historic Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Phoenix, coordinates the No Limits Special Needs Ministry. As a real and personal property appraiser, she champions ethics in property tax. She advocates against inequitable legislation harming marginalized communities and prioritizes equity.
Deborah Howard
House District 27
Deborah Howard has worked extensively across government, nonprofits, and the private sector, focusing on health care, defense, trade, real estate policy, tort reform and electoral politics. A breast cancer survivor, she has redirected her focus to activism and passion into expanding freedoms and fairness for all.
If you’re a candidate wanting to update your information or have questions, contact info@vrlaction.org
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