GOVERNMENT
Laying down the lawmakers
T.J. Shope State senator incumbent – LD 16
“It opened something up in me, this realization that we all have the ability to try and make a change in the world around us,” she said. “I’m not a career politician, I’m just somebody who wants to serve people. I go to church in this district, I work in this district, I shop in this district, and I can see what the challenges are.” That idea of service is central to the role of a state senator, Seaman said. “I really think it’s a service role and it’s humbling because we put our trust in these public servants, and it’s a huge responsibility,” she said. “I believe it means representing the people in the district and helping them live the life they want to live here.”
Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge) was one of five Arizona legislators with perfect attendance at the State Capitol last session. Showing up is just part of the job, he says. “My role is to be their voice at the Capitol, whether it’s showing up to work on a daily basis to represent their wishes or being present so our district can have a voice in leadership meetings,” he said.
BY MONICA D. SPENCER
W ith the primary elections done and dusted, your ballot will look a little stubbier in November. However, there are still plenty of choices to make when it comes to Maricopa’s repre- sentation in the Arizona State Legislature and U.S. Congress. Not sure about the people behind the names and party designations?
Here’s a look at how each view their role in representing Maricopa and what drove them to run for office. Editor’s note: The election is Nov. 5. Early voting is Oct. 9 through Nov. 1. Vote one for Congress, one for State Senate and two for State House.
That includes his role as President Pro Tempore, the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and lead roles in five other committees. “Basically, our district has a seat at the table every time something very important is being discussed,” he said. “It’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.” Even after spending roughly 12 years in the state legislature, Shope believes he still has a lot to accomplish for the people of his district. “I think there’s unfinished business to take care of,” he said. “Obviously, State Route 347 looms large in the hearts and minds of people in Maricopa, and it’s something that is important to me. And while I did have more bills signed than any other legislator, there’s still some things that I wasn’t able to accomplish in the last two years that I’d still like to see get done.”
Teresa Martinez State representative incumbent – LD 16
Gunning for a second term, Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande) said early infrastructure funding wins in the House boosted her confidence in how much she could achieve for the district. “I don’t want to sound braggadocious, but I realized I can totally do this,” she said. “I thought, ‘I’m just as good as everybody else and I can get this done.’” Martinez has been lauded among the loudest voices in securing funding for infrastructure projects around Maricopa, especially dollars for State Route 347 and Interstate 10. “In the three years that I’ve been there, we have made more progress on our roads and our water infrastructure than ever before, and I’m not going to quit until they are done. I’m just not,” she said.
Jonathan Nez U.S. representative candidate – CD 2
Chris Lopez State representative candidate – LD 16
That passion is central to how she sees her role as a state representative, she said. “My role is to fight and claw for the district,” she said. “It is my job to go to the Capitol and represent the people who live in Maricopa, to fight for roads and water and infrastructure.”
If elected, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (D-Ariz.) would be the first Indigenous person to hold a congressional seat in Arizona. His years in tribal politics as a council delegate, vice president and later president were inspired by his grandfather. “People would always say, ‘Your grandfather was very helpful, he did a lot for his people,’” Nez said. “Hearing that inspired me to go into public service because I thought one way to leave this earth is to know that you’ve helped people along the way.” According to Nez, a desire to focus on bipartisan efforts to get bills passed for people across the massive Congressional District 2 that spans from Maricopa to Four Corners to the
Eli Crane U.S. representative incumbent – CD 2
Newcomer Chris Lopez (R-Casa Grande) represents a third gen- eration in his family’s agricultural business in Casa Grande. He said that not only instilled a ded- icated work ethic in him early on but also allowed him to see up close the issues affecting Pinal County residents. “Politics are so heavily involved in our business, so I see the reality of what’s happening,” he said. “I’m not just going to be somebody on a soapbox who complains about fuel prices or labor prices or taxes, I am living it on a daily basis.” When asked how he envi- sions his role as a state represen- tative, Lopez said it would mean remaining “close to the families and people in the district.” Why? “I am going to rely on them, their issues, their information so I can be a workhorse at the State Capitol,” he said.
Keith Seaman State representative incumbent – LD 16 To put it simply, Rep. Keith Seaman (D-Casa Grande) feels his role is “giving people in our district a voice.” “Being in the legislature means listening to the people and doing what’s right for those constituents,” he said. This is particularly relevant when it comes to funding infrastructure projects in the
Rep. Eli Crane (R) has built a reputation as
someone more than willing to call out people not only across the aisle, but within his own party. Because of that, Crane said he sees himself as a “wartime congressman.” “I’m not and will never be a career politician, but I’ve always promised my voters that as long as I’m there, I’ll fight tooth and nail against the status quo for their best interests,” he said. To him, that fight means “looking out for our nation’s heroes, ensuring the Tribal citizens of [the district] have access to their own resources and land, and securing our southern border.” When asked why he opted to run again, Crane said there’s still plenty left for him to do. “If reelected, I will continue my efforts to be unflinching on the biggest issues impacting our country, while being as effective as possible for legislation impacting rural Arizona,” he said.
Grand Canyon was instrumental to his run for congress. “There has been a lot of division,” Nez said. “What this country needs now is to come back together, work together and make sure that our voters, our people in this country get ahead for their children and for their grandchildren. We want to have a better quality of life into the future, seven generations and beyond.”
Stacey Seaman State senator candidate – LD 16 Newbie Stacey Seaman (D-Casa Grande) is a music teacher and the daughter of Rep. Keith Seaman. She said watching her father enter the political realm inspired her to see how she too could make a difference.
area. Or, specifically for Maricopans, money for State Route 347. “We need the money now,” Seaman said. “We should have had the money a long time ago, so that’s my biggest priority in that part of the district.” His other main priority stems from his roots as an educator. “I was a public-school teacher for 30 years, so I understand the importance of providing schools with the money they need to keep and bring teachers to Arizona,” he said.
InMaricopa.com | October 2024
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October 2024 | InMaricopa.com
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