Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024 Ribbon Banner - Your Comprehensive Election Resource
Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024 Ribbon Banner - Your Comprehensive Election Resource

Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024: Key Races and Candidates

Phoenix, Arizona is gearing up for a pivotal election season in 2024, with numerous crucial races set to shape the political landscape from the U.S. Senate down to local Maricopa County positions. This comprehensive Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024 is designed to provide clarity amidst the political discourse, offering essential information on key races and candidates appearing on the Arizona ballot this fall. Stay informed as we continuously update this guide with the latest insights and reports leading up to the November election.

AMERICA VOTES 2024: Access Local and National Election Coverage

Navigate through our Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024 by selecting a race below or scrolling down to explore detailed information on each contest.

RACE SELECTION: U.S. Senate | Arizona Corporation Commission | Maricopa County Attorney | Maricopa County Board of Supervisors | Maricopa County School Superintendent | Maricopa County Sheriff | Maricopa County Recorder | C.D. 1 | C.D. 2 | C.D. 3 | C.D. 4 | C.D. 5 | C.D. 6 | C.D. 7 | C.D. 8 | C.D. 9

Looking for more candidate information? Visit AZ Clean Elections for a comprehensive list of candidates running for office in Arizona.


U.S. Senate Race in Arizona

The race for U.S. Senate in Arizona is prominently featured in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024, particularly with Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s decision not to seek reelection. This has set the stage for a compelling contest between Congressman Ruben Gallego and former Phoenix TV news anchor Kari Lake.

A significant development in this race is the candidates’ agreement to debate on October 9th, providing a platform for voters to compare their positions directly.

Candidate: Ruben Gallego (D) [Candidate Profile]

Ruben Gallego’s campaign prioritizes reproductive rights, emphasizing access to abortion and supporting the codification of Roe v. Wade, potentially through filibuster reform.

Economically, Gallego champions the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, both of which he believes are beneficial for Arizona’s economy. He advocates for raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and increasing taxes for high-income earners and corporations.

On immigration, Gallego emphasizes border security, citing his voting record in favor of increased border patrol funding. He also supported the bipartisan border bill that faced congressional deadlock earlier in 2024.

Gallego’s background as a Marine and former member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee informs his legislative agenda, which includes improving VA oversight and benefits for veterans, particularly those exposed to toxic burn pits.

Candidate: Kari Lake (R) [Candidate Profile]

Kari Lake’s key priorities are centered around border security and economic issues. Her 10-point plan aims to secure the border, reduce inflation, and lower the deficit. On abortion, Lake supports Arizona’s 15-week abortion law, while opposing the Arizona Abortion Access Act.

Lake’s border security plan includes finishing the border wall, enhancing technological surveillance, and strict enforcement of existing immigration laws.

Economically, Lake promises to cut spending, reduce bureaucracy, and foster an environment for economic growth, although specific details on these measures are not yet fully outlined.

Lake’s background includes a 27-year career in journalism in Phoenix, which she credits with developing her understanding of people’s stories and concerns.


Arizona Corporation Commission Election

The Arizona Corporation Commission, a critical body regulating public utilities, has three open seats in this election cycle, as detailed in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024. The commission’s decisions directly impact utility rates and regulations for companies like Arizona Public Service and Southwest Gas. Voters will choose from a field of Republican, Democratic, and Green Party candidates.

Candidate: Ylenia Aguilar (D) [Candidate Profile]

Ylenia Aguilar, a Democrat, is a former school board member and current board member of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District. Her campaign focuses on consumer advocacy, arguing that current Republican leadership on the commission is not effectively representing ratepayers. She aims to be a voice for families struggling with utility costs.

Candidate: Mike Cease (G) [Candidate Profile]

Green Party candidate Mike Cease is campaigning on a platform centered on climate action. He supports sanctions against mining companies impacting natural sites and aims to target agribusinesses with high water consumption and companies involved in exploitative housing practices. Cease also intends to push for faster transitions to renewable energy by imposing restrictions on companies slow to adopt these technologies.

Candidate: Jonathon Hill (D) [Candidate Profile]

Democrat Jonathon Hill brings a technical background to the race, with 18 years of experience at Arizona State University working on NASA space missions. He emphasizes the need for technical expertise on the commission and expresses concern over rising utility bills, advocating for more responsible rate-setting.

Candidate: Rene Lopez (R) [Candidate Profile]

Republican Rene Lopez, a U.S. Navy veteran with a nuclear engineering degree and former Chandler City Council member, focuses on efficient government services and public safety. His experience in city government provides a background in local regulatory issues and efficiency improvements.

Candidate: Nina Luxenberg (G) [Candidate Profile]

Green Party candidate Nina Luxenberg, a physician, emphasizes ethical conduct in public and private businesses, prioritizing public services and affordability. She supports strict environmental regulations to protect water, soil, and air quality and advocates for sustainable water supplies. Luxenberg is running a donation-free campaign.

Candidate: Lea Márquez Peterson (R) [Candidate Profile]

Republican incumbent Lea Márquez Peterson has served on the commission since 2019. Her background includes owning a chain of gas and convenience stores. She recently supported a rate increase for Arizona Public Service, which she notes was lower than the initial proposal, and also supported a moratorium on power disconnections during summer months.

Candidate: Joshua Polacheck (D) [Candidate Profile]

Democrat Joshua Polacheck, a former foreign service officer with nearly 20 years at the U.S. Department of State, criticizes the current Republican majority on the commission for rate increases. He aims to ensure affordable, reliable, and safe public services for Arizona voters.

Candidate: Rachel Walden (R) [Candidate Profile]

Republican Rachel Walden, a Mesa Public Schools board member with a financial sector background, emphasizes putting ratepayers first and ensuring reliability and affordability of utility services for current and future generations. Her priorities include academic achievement and fiscal responsibility from her school board experience.


Congressional District 1 Race

The Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024 highlights the Congressional District 1 race, a key contest in northeastern Maricopa County, featuring incumbent Republican David Schweikert and Democratic challenger Dr. Amish Shah.

Candidate: Amish Shah (D) [Candidate Profile]

Dr. Amish Shah, a Democrat, is a state legislator with five years of experience as a representative. An emergency room physician and former NFL physician, his campaign focuses on lowering healthcare costs, particularly prescription drug prices, and protecting women’s reproductive rights.

Candidate: David Schweikert (R) [Candidate Profile]

David Schweikert, a Republican incumbent seeking his eighth term, emphasizes fiscal conservatism and budget discipline. As a “Budget Hawk,” he highlights his work on tax policy, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Cuts Act, and his focus on economic growth in Arizona and collaboration with tribal communities.


Congressional District 2 Race

Congressional District 2, geographically vast and encompassing diverse communities and Native American reservations, is another key race in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024. The candidates are Democrat Jonathan Nez and incumbent Republican Eli Crane.

Candidate: Jonathan Nez (D) [Candidate Profile]

Jonathan Nez, a Democrat and former President of the Navajo Nation, prioritizes lowering the cost of living, protecting Social Security and Medicaid, increasing funding for fentanyl interdiction and border security, and supporting the DREAM Act.

Candidate: Eli Crane (R) [Candidate Profile]

Incumbent Eli Crane, a Republican and member of the House Freedom Caucus, is a fiscal conservative critical of government spending. He supports border wall construction and enhanced border security measures and opposes “unrestrained aid” to Ukraine.


Congressional District 3 Race

Located in Maricopa County, Congressional District 3, with a strong Democratic voter base, is represented in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024 by Democratic candidate Yassamin Ansari and Republican Jeff Zink.

Candidate: Yassamin Ansari (D) [Candidate Profile]

Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat and Phoenix City Council member and former vice mayor, is the first Iranian American elected to political office in Arizona. Her priorities include combating climate change, preventing housing discrimination, and supporting abortion rights.

Candidate: Jeff Zink (R) [Candidate Profile]

Jeff Zink, a Republican, identifies as a Conservative Republican and “America First” candidate. He advocates for expanding school choice and reducing government regulation on small businesses and has pledged to serve only three terms if elected.


Congressional District 4 Race

Congressional District 4 in Maricopa County features incumbent Democrat Greg Stanton and Republican challenger Kelly Cooper, as detailed in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024.

Candidate: Greg Stanton (D) [Candidate Profile]

Greg Stanton, the Democratic incumbent seeking his fourth term, focuses on border security, water security, and economic growth for Arizona. He supports operational control of the southern border and the bipartisan Senate bill on border security and highlights his efforts to secure Arizona’s water future through infrastructure projects.

Candidate: Kelly Cooper (R) [Candidate Profile]

Kelly Cooper, a Republican who previously ran against Stanton in 2022, aims to improve the economy, enhance community security, and raise living standards. He supports energy independence and a secure, efficient immigration system with a guest worker program.


Congressional District 5 Race

Congressional District 5, encompassing parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties, is a focus of the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024, featuring Democratic candidate Katrina Schaffner and incumbent Republican Andy Biggs.

Candidate: Katrina Schaffner (D) [Candidate Profile]

Katrina Schaffner, a Democrat and Ukrainian activist, is running in opposition to incumbent Andy Biggs’ stance on Ukraine funding. Her platform includes advocating for an economy and healthcare system that benefits everyone, protecting renters, and ensuring fair taxation.

Candidate: Andy Biggs (R) [Candidate Profile]

Andy Biggs, the Republican incumbent seeking his 5th term, is a member of the House Freedom Caucus and a strong conservative voice. He is known for his stance on border security, opposition to Ukraine funding, and fiscal conservatism. He also opposed certifying Arizona’s 2020 election results.


Congressional District 6 Race

Congressional District 6, a closely contested district, is a crucial race highlighted in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024. Incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani faces a rematch against Democrat Kirsten Engel, whom he narrowly defeated in 2022.

Candidate: Kirsten Engel (D) [Candidate Profile]

Kirsten Engel, a Democrat, is a former Arizona State Representative and Senator and a law professor at the University of Arizona. Her platform focuses on combating drought and rising utility costs, reproductive freedom, lowering prescription drug costs, and securing the southern border while reforming the immigration system.

Candidate: Juan Ciscomani (R) [Candidate Profile]

Juan Ciscomani, the Republican incumbent, sits on the House Appropriations and Veterans Affairs Committees. He emphasizes border security, aiming to “end catch and release” and continue building the border wall. While personally against abortion, he notes he does not support a federal abortion ban and allows for exceptions. He also supports military, veterans, and energy independence.


Congressional District 7 Race

Congressional District 7, spanning the Arizona-Mexico border, is another district covered in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024, featuring incumbent Democrat Raúl Grijalva and Republican challenger Daniel Francis Butierez Sr.

Candidate: Raúl Grijalva (D) [Candidate Profile]

Raúl Grijalva, the Democratic incumbent since 2002, is a ranking member on the House Natural Resources Committee. His priorities include immigration reform, campaign finance reform, education access, and advancing his climate agenda, including the Environmental Justice for All Act.

Candidate: Daniel Francis Butierez Sr. (R) [Candidate Profile]

Daniel Francis Butierez Sr., a Republican and small business owner, is campaigning on “securing the southern border” and increasing resources for Border Patrol. He is a proponent of the Second Amendment and aims to reduce crime and taxes and improve education.


Congressional District 8 Race

Congressional District 8, covering parts of Maricopa and Yavapai counties, is detailed in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024, with Democratic candidate Gregory Whitten and Republican Abe Hamadeh vying for the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Debbie Lesko.

Candidate: Gregory Whitten (D) [Candidate Profile]

Gregory Whitten, a Democrat and biosecurity expert, focuses on senior citizens’ healthcare access, protecting Medicare, and lowering prescription drug costs. He identifies as a moderate and prioritizes affordable housing, water security, and public education.

Candidate: Abe Hamadeh (R) [Candidate Profile]

Abe Hamadeh, a Republican and former Maricopa County Prosecutor, is endorsed by former President Donald Trump. His priorities include returning to a traditional budget process, ending aid to Ukraine, securing the border, and building the border wall. He is anti-abortion and challenged the 2022 Attorney General election results.


Congressional District 9 Race

Congressional District 9, located in western Arizona bordering California and Nevada, is presented in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024 with Democratic candidate Quacy Smith and incumbent Republican Paul Gosar.

Candidate: Quacy Smith (D) [Candidate Profile]

Quacy Smith, a Democrat, is a lawyer and retired Marine. He supports reproductive rights, comprehensive immigration reform, strengthening Social Security, and the right to bear arms with “common-sense measures.”

Candidate: Paul Gosar (R) [Candidate Profile]

Paul Gosar, the Republican incumbent, is a former dentist and has served in Congress since 2013. He is pro-life, opposes the Affordable Care Act, and supports the Second Amendment. Gosar objected to counting Arizona’s electoral votes in 2021 and focuses on illegal immigration and border security.


Maricopa County Attorney Race

The Maricopa County Attorney race, overseeing prosecution in the fourth-largest county in the U.S., is a key focus of the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024, featuring incumbent Republican Rachel Mitchell and Democratic challenger Tamika Wooten.

Candidate: Rachel Mitchell (R) [Candidate Profile]

Rachel Mitchell, the Republican incumbent and a prosecutor for 30 years, prioritizes prosecuting crimes against children and strengthening sexual assault laws. She gained national attention for questioning Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh during Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Candidate: Tamika Wooten (D) [Candidate Profile]

Tamika Wooten, a Democrat with 34 years of legal experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge, prioritizes crime prevention and restorative justice. Her focus is on juveniles, veterans, and non-violent offenders with mental health and addiction issues. She created a domestic violence program as Chief City Prosecutor in Glendale.


Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Races

Several districts for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors are contested in the 2024 election, as detailed in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024. These races will determine county leadership and policy direction.

District 1 Candidates:

Joel Navarro (D) [Candidate Profile]

Joel Navarro, a Democrat and Phoenix Fire Department deputy chief and former Tempe City Council member, focuses on public safety, neighborhoods, parks, housing, homelessness, and drug addiction.

Mark Stewart (R) [Candidate Profile]

Mark Stewart, a Republican and Chandler City Council member, emphasizes safety, livability, and business opportunities. He believes in minimal yet efficient government and runs a marketing agency and men’s health clinics.

District 2 Candidates:

Julie Cieniawski (D) [Candidate Profile]

Julie Cieniawski, a Democrat and public school educator and Scottsdale Unified School District governing board member, focuses on solution-oriented governance and addressing family homelessness.

Thomas Galvin (R) [Candidate Profile]

Thomas Galvin, a Republican and current vice chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, prioritizes fiscal responsibility, public safety, economic development, housing, and water.

District 3 Candidates:

Daniel Valenzuela (D) [Candidate Profile]

Daniel Valenzuela, a Democrat and former Phoenix City Council member and retired firefighter, focuses on public safety, strengthening neighborhoods, and economic transformation.

Kate Brophy McGee (R) [Candidate Profile]

Kate Brophy McGee, a Republican and former state senator and community banker, emphasizes her long-term residency in the Sunnyslope neighborhood and experience on the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission.

District 4 Candidates:

David M Sandoval (D) [Candidate Profile]

David M Sandoval, a Democrat and local business owner and Peoria Unified School District governing board member, focuses on youth opportunities and equitable success.

Debbie Lesko (R) [Candidate Profile]

Debbie Lesko, a Republican and current Congresswoman for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, is seeking to transition to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. She has a background in the state legislature and U.S. House of Representatives.

District 5 Candidates:

Steve Gallardo (D) [Candidate Profile]

Steve Gallardo, the Democratic incumbent Maricopa County Supervisor for District 5 and former state legislator, prioritizes public safety and strong communities.

Ann Niemann (R) [Candidate Profile]

Ann Niemann, a Republican, emphasizes her faith, family values, and American freedoms. Her focus is on fair elections and defending against government overreach.


Maricopa County Recorder Race

The Maricopa County Recorder race, responsible for voter registration and early voting, is a significant contest in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024. The current recorder, Stephen Richer, was defeated in the Republican primary.

Candidate: Tim Stringham (D) [Candidate Profile]

Tim Stringham, a Democrat and attorney and first-time political candidate with Army and Navy leadership experience, aims to protect mail-in voting and ensure accessible, secure, and transparent elections.

Candidate: Justin Heap (R) [Candidate Profile]

Justin Heap, a Republican State Representative, emphasizes “election integrity” and supports hand-counting ballots, ending early voting, and precinct-based voting. He has raised concerns about voter rolls and ballot counting times in Maricopa County.


Maricopa County School Superintendent Race

The Maricopa County School Superintendent race, overseeing school board elections and school finance, is also covered in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024.

Candidate: Laura Metcalfe (D) [Candidate Profile]

Laura Metcalfe, a Democrat with nearly three decades of experience in education, from teacher to principal and within the County Superintendent’s office, aims to “restore fiscal integrity” to the office and support public education.

Candidate: Shelli Boggs (R) [Candidate Profile]

Shelli Boggs, a Republican with over 20 years as a teacher and a governing board member for the East Valley Institute of Technology, supports school choice and collaboration between stakeholders. She aims to “restore integrity and accountability” to the office and focus education on skills for success without political agendas.


Maricopa County Sheriff Race

The Maricopa County Sheriff race is a high-profile contest in the Maricopa County Voter Guide 2024, featuring Democratic nominee Tyler Kamp and Republican nominee Jerry Sheridan.

Candidate: Tyler Kamp (D) [Candidate Profile]

Tyler Kamp, a Democrat and former Phoenix Police Department officer and NGO worker fighting human trafficking, prioritizes ending the Melendres court-ordered oversight, improving staffing, and proactive law enforcement.

Candidate: Jerry Sheridan (R) [Candidate Profile]

Jerry Sheridan, a Republican and former Chief Deputy under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, campaigns on a return to “tough-on-crime” policies. He advocates for a low-level offender detention center and emphasizes stopping drug smuggling and improving MCSO staffing.


For more comprehensive information on candidates and races, please visit AZ Clean Elections candidate list.

Stay updated with the latest election news from ABC15.

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