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Republican – Legislative District 8 House
Phone: (520) 723-0327
Email: tj@tjshope.com
Website: www.realleadershipaz.com
Facebook: Thomas Shope
Twitter: @tjshopeforaz
Address: 1206 N Reeves Rd, Coolidge, AZ 85128
Age: 28. (08/12/85, Florence, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth
Occupation: Manager, Shope’s IGA, since 2008; deputy director of communications, Arizona Republican Party, 2006.
Marital: Single
Education: B.S., political science, ASU, 2008; A.A., general studies, Central Arizona College, 2005; Coolidge H.S., 2003.
Political experience: VP, Coolidge Unified School Dist Governing Bd, since 2008; precinct committeeman since 2003; second vice chair, Pinal County Republican Committee, 2009-11; state chairman, AZ Federation of College Republicans, 2007-08; CD1 member-at-large, AZ Republican Party Executive Committee, 2007-09; president, College Republicans at ASU, 2006-07; president, Central Arizona College Republican Club, 2003-05.
Legis exp: House since 2013; vice chair, House Committee on Commerce.
Interests: I enjoy listening to music, mainly country and enjoy following my favorite sports teams such as the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Coyotes, and all of the ASU Sun Devil athletic teams.
Two biggest issues: Continued focus on economic development and an increased awareness on water are very big issues that will face Arizona in the near future. As vice chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, I have made economic development a major focus of my time in the AZ Legislature, and as a member of the House Committee on Agriculture & Water, I have also focused on the problems facing our state as a result of the long-term drought facing Arizona. If re-elected, I will continue to make these issues my focus at the Legislature.
Budget priorities: Having voted on two budgets, it is abundantly clear that members often don’t get everything they want, whether it’s more cuts or more funding. I believe we must continue on a steady pace that has guided the last two budgets as we’ve not reached the absolute end of our economic recession and we also have a potential deficit staring at us if we do not increase economic development. I am confident, however, that a growing economy will allow us to have more options in the near future in regards to the budget, but until then, we must remain vigilant against efforts to allow spending to balloon.
Fiscal philosophy: I consider myself a fiscal conservative and believe we, as citizens of Arizona, are taxed enough already, so we should increase revenues by growing our economy and adding more jobs.
Common Core: As a Republican, I have believed in rigorous standards for our students so we can accurately capture data of whether our students are learning and whether our teachers are effective. I continue to believe in rigorous standards and testing. Our job creators need workers who can obtain the necessary job skills to compete for jobs and allow Arizona on a state scale to compete with other states to land high-quality jobs.
Gifts to elected officials: I believe that as legislators, we can do much to encourage a better reporting system. If the technology is there, and I believe that it probably is, let’s allow “gifts” to be easily tracked through an online portal that is accessible to the public.
Transparency in government: As a school board member, I am used to providing the necessary transparency to the public in the form of public notices. I believe we should continue to be transparent in government.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I am a practicing Roman Catholic and believe in my church’s teachings on the issue of abortion.
Public policy advice: I turn to many people for advice including other members of the Legislature who I have formed relationships with and obviously, subject matter experts in my own district when difficult issues arise that I may not have much experience in.
