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Democrat – Legislative District 4 Senate

Phone: (928) 782-1455

Email: [email protected]

Website: Pancrazi4Senate.com

Facebook: Lynne Pancrazi

Twitter: @mpancra1

Address: 3748 W 18th Pl, Yuma, AZ 85364

Age: 60. (01/15/54, Yuma, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth

Occupation: Realtor (inactive); retired teacher, 1977-2006.

Marital: Married

Children: 1

Education: M.A., elementary education, NAU, 1985; B.A., physical education, Point Loma Nazarene College, 1977.

Political experience: Campaign worker; educational activism.

Legis exp: Senate since 2013; asst Dem leader since Oct 2013; House 2007-12.

Interests: Being with family; watching grandkids in their activities.

Two biggest issues: Economic development and public education – both K-12 and college/post-secondary.

Budget priorities: We must reevaluate corporate tax credits to see which ones work and which do not. That will allow the Legislature to make better use of credits that result in the appropriate outcome, and help us eliminate those that do not. We must make DPS self-funding and return HURF funds to our counties.
Public education funding needs to be equalized for all.

Fiscal philosophy: I am a solutions-oriented legislator, not an ideologue. I look at issues and work to find appropriate solutions. I will not create issues and then try to formulate solutions that fit them. I am fiscally conservative, and I understand that adequate funding for public education is a fiscal responsibility.

Common Core: Implementing the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards, aka Common Core, provides school districts with the standards they need to implement their curriculum. It will also allow Arizona students to compete nationally with their peers.

Gifts to elected officials: Legislators do not take on this job because of perks that come with the job. I do not see any reason why we as legislators should be allowed to accept gifts, trips or money. In addition, I do think educational conferences have an appropriate place if they help us acquire knowledge. We have an obligation to educate ourselves on issues we are working to resolve. For example, I take advantage of any event providing information on water.

Transparency in government: Transparency is essential to keeping our constituents informed and our communities involved in the political process.

Pro-life / pro-choice: A woman’s body is her own. Any decision she makes about it is solely within the purview of her and her family.

Public policy advice: Policy analysts at the state Capitol, and those who work for our caucus are my primary advisors. I also consult with constituents I know who have knowledge about a particular topic. During my tenure at the Capitol, I have developed relationships with folks around the state who I call for advice. Many agency directors and staff have a wealth of information that can be relevant. All we have to do is ask them.

Republican – Corporation Commission

Phone: (602) 303-7175

Email: [email protected]

Website: vernonbparker.com

Facebook: Vernon Parker

Twitter: @vernonbparker

Age: 54. (11/16/59, Houston, TX).

Arizona since: 1997

Occupation: Government relations consultant, assistant secretary, U.S. Dept of Agriculture; special assistant, President George H. W. Bush, the White House; general counsel, U.S. Office of Personnel Management; director of policy, U.S. Office of Personnel Management; financial analyst, Rockwell International.

Marital: Married

Children: 2

Education: J.D., Georgetown University; B.S., finance, CSU Long Beach; A.S., Long Beach Community College.

Political experience: Councilmember, Town of Paradise Valley; mayor, Town of Paradise Valley; candidate U.S. House, CD-3; candidate U.S. House, CD-9; selected by the Speaker of the House to give a rebuttal to the President’s weekly radio address; worked on five presidential campaigns; Matt Salmon for Governor campaign; Jon Kyl senatorial campaign; various other state and local campaigns.

Interests: Cooking is my number on passion. I love college athletics. I enjoy cycling, movies & reading.

ALL – Public policy advice: I cannot single out one specific person, as every situation is unique and requires a unique response and analysis. I get information from a variety of sources. I try to gather information from stakeholders on all sides of issues before making a decision.

Independent – Governor

Phone: (480) 353-8478

Email: [email protected]

Republican – Legislative District 8 Senate

Phone: (480) 888-0372

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.preview8.webdesignsyourway.net

Facebook: Alan Pease

Address: 967 E Lovegrass Dr , San Tan Valley, AZ 85143

Age: 74. (11/16/39, Cambridge, MA).

Arizona since: 2003

Occupation: Independent residential water treatment specialist, 29 years.

Marital: Married

Children: 2

Education: B.S., marketing, Northeastern University.

Political experience: None.

Interests: Youth programs.

Two biggest issues: Economic development: eliminate sales tax. Education: earmark a percentage of education budget that must go to teachers.

Budget priorities: I am for increasing revenue by continuing to make Arizona more attractive to foreign businesses.

Fiscal philosophy: Conservative.

Common Core: These are standards agreed upon by a number of states, not the federal government. These standards are voluntary and not to be confused with curricula. Curricula are still the purview of the local school board.

Gifts to elected officials: I am not yet familiar with these laws.

Transparency in government: This must be in a free society.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I am personally against abortion, but believe that this is an extremely personal choice that should be made by the individual, not the government.

Public policy advice: For the past 11 years, my passion has been building a community service organization dedicated to providing youth programs for kids in Pinal County. In so doing, I have learned how to bring a wide cross-section of people together for the purpose of building a consensus for the common good. My success has been due to the fact that I am willing to surround myself with those more knowledgeable than I, and to take their advice. If elected, I would continue to employ these skills for the good of Arizona and for the good of LD 8.

Independent – Congressional District 7 U.S. House

Phone: (602) 254-0877

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.penalosaforarizona.com

Facebook: Jose Penalosa

Twitter: @Penalosa4Az

Address: 55 E Lexington Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012

Age: 52. (03/03/62, San Diego, CA).

Arizona since: 1986

Occupation: Attorney, Penalosa & Associates, since 2003; attorney, Penalosa & Eslava-Grundwaldt, P.C., 2001-03; attorney, Jose Penalosa, 1993-2001; attorney, Friendly House, Inc., 1991-93.

Marital: Married

Children: 3

Education: J.D., ASU, 1989; B.A., political science, UCLA, 1986; A.A., general studies, Palomar College, 1983.

Political experience: U.S. congressional candidate, 2010.

Interests: Spending time with my wife and three daughters. We enjoy traveling, going to the movies, church, going out to eat, attending musical and dance concerts, running road races, and spending time on the beach.

Top priority: When I am elected to the Congress, my top priority will be to pass immigration reform that both secures the border and provides for legalization and a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented persons here in the U.S. I’ll seek an assignment on the House’s judiciary and homeland security committees, so that Arizona has a seat at the immigration reform table. I’ll take the initiative to unite Arizona’s congressional delegation to form the AZGroupof9. I will lead Arizona’s congressional delegation in forging a bi-partisan consensus and passing immigration reform that will both secure the border and provide relief for the 11 million undocumented immigrants. Immigration reform promotes family unity, economic development and educational opportunities for our children.

Initial legislation: As a member of Congress, my first piece of legislation that I will introduce will be an immigration reform bill that provides for legalization and a pathway to U.S. citizenship while concurrently providing the resources to secure both the southern and northern borders.

Federal deficit: I will first seek to reduce the federal deficit by working to trim and cut the corporate welfare programs administered by the Depts of Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture and Energy. Concurrently, I will advocate against pork barrel spending and earmarks.

Federal spending in AZ: I would direct funding towards the “common good” of the State of Arizona. The Central Arizona Project (“CAP”) would be that project. The CAP brought water to Arizona’s desert communities, which in turn brought folks here to live, start communities, families, and businesses. Arizona’s population growth is projected to continue to grow over the years. In order to sustain our communities here in Arizona, we must have the ability to capture and retain water for the common good. Federal money must be used to build more reservoirs and desalination plants here in Arizona, so that we have a sustainable supply of water to serve the next generations.

Respected opponent: I admire and respect General Colin Powell for his independence, character, and distinguished service to our country. His humble beginnings and ascension to the rank of General and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is remarkable. As Secretary of State, he served the nation well and was internationally respected for his leadership. Even after retirement from government service, General Powell has still maintained his presence in the community by way of his foundation.

Public policy advice: With regard to public policy issues, I seek the wisdom of my peers from the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy and the foundation’s distinguished leadership team. I also count on the support and perspective of my Valley Leadership, Hispanic Leadership, and Scottsdale Leadership classmates. Furthermore, I’ve learned from my Dreamer friends with regard to their perspectives pertaining to education, social issues, and immigration reform. Lastly, I count on the wisdom of my fellow attorneys with respect to advice for public policy issues as many of them work in different areas of the law that impact public policy.

Democrat – Legislative District 23 Senate

Phone: (480) 221-0976

Email: [email protected]

Website: Paula2014.com

Facebook: Paula Pennypacker

Twitter: @PPennypacker

Address: 16495 North 113th Way , Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Age: 56. (05/03/58, Toledo, OH).

Arizona since: 1998

Occupation: Small business owner, president/founder, Just for Redheads International, since 1993.

Marital: Married

Children: 1

Education: B.A., business management minor, University of Toledo, 1980.

Political experience: Republican party activist for 30 years before changing my party registration to Democrat last year. Founder, The Lucas County Republican Grassroots Coalition; founder, Citizens for Fair Taxation (Lucas County); candidate for Toledo City Council, 1989; candidate for mayor of Toledo, 1991 and 1993; candidate, LD8, 2010.

Interests: Politics is my passion. I have been a good government activist since graduating from the University of Toledo in 1980. I am also a studying martial artist and am working towards a black belt in Wado karate. I am also an avid reader of non-fiction.

Two biggest issues: The education of all our children is both an economic and social imperative. We cannot continue our current system that leaves far too many behind. The alternative is to keep expanding our private prison industry at a huge cost to the state. Expanding access to quality preschool programs, restarting statewide all-day kindergarten, and ensuring that all of our students are reading at grade level by the 3rd grade will increase academic achievement and reduce our high school dropout rate. We will accomplish this by making sure our public schools have the resources they need and that hold them accountable for results. The second biggest issue that I will address will be major tax reform that addresses the revenue shortfall we are experiencing. I favor tax reform that will lower and broaden our state sales tax. I also favor closing tax loopholes.

Budget priorities: Major tax reform will generate the much needed revenue for the state.

Fiscal philosophy: I have always been fiscally responsible. And have always favored lower and broader taxes for everyone. Everyone must have skin in the game. That is why I favor a consumption tax over the personal and corporate income tax. This type of tax model puts more money in people’s pockets to spend and moves the global economy forward.

Common Core: Yes! But Common Core will have limited success due to the continued under funding of our public schools by our current Legislature. As a recent letter writer in the Arizona Republic opined about the new core-driven curriculum, “When average class sizes are 35 students, does anyone believe this state will attract quality teachers into an environment where sub-professional wages, inadequate facilities, overloaded classes and negative rhetoric are the norm?”

Gifts to elected officials: Gifts to our elected officials need to be transparent. All trips should have to be reported regardless of who pays. All sporting and event tickets should be reported. Tickets over a face value of $75 should be banned. Currently, gifts valued over $500 must be reported. That amount should be dropped to $250. And there must be sanctions against those who do not report correctly.

Transparency in government: Good government demands transparency! Lack of transparency is the number one reason why people have left the political process and voter turnout is at an all time low. Transparency must be prevalent at all times and the games played by legislators of not giving the public enough notice of upcoming bills and committee meetings must stop. The rules are that agendas must be set the day before and that has to be held true. The games of “it was on an agenda last week so we can introduce it today” without any real notice must also stop.

Pro-life / pro-choice: Safe, legal and rare.

Public policy advice: Over my years as a political activist, I have collected a rather large group of political mentors and friends who I turn to for political advice. My most trusted adviser? My husband.

Democrat – Legislative District 7 Senate

Phone: (928) 606-4998

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.peshlakai4azsenate.com

Facebook: Jamescita Peshlakai

Twitter: @jamescita

Age: 46. (02/09/68, Tuba City, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Grant & lead coordinator, Navajo Nation Traditional Agricultural Outreach, 2008-13; director, Workforce Investment Act program, Native Americans for Community Action, Inc., 2004-07; outreach coordinator, NAU, Education Opportunity Centers, 1998-2000; U.S. Army, 1989-97; Persian Gulf War, 1990-91.

Marital: Divorced

Children: 2

Education: M.A., educational psychology, NAU, 2004; B.S., history, NAU, 1997.

Political experience: Candidate for Coconino County Board of Supervisors, 2008.

Legis exp: House since 2013, LD-7; member, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources committee; member, Public Safety, Military and Regulatory Affairs Committee.

Interests: I was born and raised in northern Arizona and understand the diversity and opportunities as well as challenges of living in Arizona. I am raising my two daughters here. One is at a public university and the other in the 7th grade. I work to keep them active, reading and engaged in community activities. I have travelled globally and understand that no matter our challenges, we have more opportunities here than any other place in the world. Living and working in diverse cultures and environments of northern Arizona, I love community work and outreach – it is who I am.

Two biggest issues: As a U.S. Army Persian Gulf War Veteran (71Lima), I know veterans issues are an urgent matter that need to be dealt with swiftly. I will work to make the veterans outreach and access to services and benefits my priority. The Veterans Administration is a sprawling bureaucracy not serving the needs of our most patriotic of citizens. States can have a hand in improving the national, state and local systems. Being from a rural and Native American nation, I am acutely aware of deficiencies. Child Protective Services and development of the new Child Safety and Family Services is also an immediate priority. My constituents have made it clear that their thoughts for solutions lie in prevention services. I will work to make prevention programs such as childcare, grandparent support and family support programs a basic component of keeping our most vulnerable children safe.

Budget priorities: Budget priorities that need to be addressed are in K-12 education and workforce diversification. That is a long-term solution to keeping Arizona competitive and successful. Solar and renewable energy development ought to be a priority for our windy and sun-soaked state. The Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) distribution formula needs to be addressed. Tribal nations are paying a high price in bringing revenue to the state that is returned to communities off tribal nations. This is less than fair and equitable to Arizona citizens on tribal lands. The Fuel Excise Tax falls into the same unjust redistribution formula as the TPT.
Increased revenues can begin to be addressed by not giving corporations tax breaks unnecessarily. It takes away potential opportunities from communities and places more usage on infrastructure and resources.

Fiscal philosophy: Did not respond.

Common Core: Common Core is a basic common-sense approach to readying an emerging workforce in a responsible manner.

Gifts to elected officials: Reforms are needed and campaign finance needs to be better adhered to.

Transparency in government: Transparency and public notice is a must. We cannot limit the manner in which newspapers distribute information. Communication infrastructure needs to be planned for the long term.

Pro-life / pro-choice: As a veteran and a woman, I believe a woman’s right to choose is her concern, no one else’s. We live in diverse populations and conditions. No one population’s beliefs ought to be in moral judgment of, in control of, or prevent access of another’s personal and private decisions of such. To keep safety and health of such persons in a developed nation out of harm’s way, less harm comes to our citizens when legal abortion is available and accessible.

Public policy advice: My education, culture and strong base of American beliefs.

Republican – Legislative District 12 House

Phone: (602) 332-5812

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.votewarrenpeters.com

Facebook: Warren Petersen

Twitter: @votewarren

Address: 2085 E Avenida del Valle Ct , Gilbert, AZ 85295

Age: 37. (09/08/76, Wentworth, MO).

Arizona since: 1987

Occupation: Owner of real estate brokerage since 2001; VP sales, VIP Homes, since 1999; investor since 1999; office staff, VIP Homes, 1997-99.

Marital: Married

Children: 5

Education: Attending, B.S., political science, ASU; agent and brokers licenses, AZ School of Business and Real Estate; continuing education with various certified real estate schools; Gilbert H.S., 1995.

Political experience: Precinct committeemen since 2009, Victor Petersen for Council, Emilena Turley for Council, John Lewis for Mayor, Eddie Cook for Council, Jordan Ray for Council, No on Prop 406.

Legis exp: House since 2013.

Interests: Anything with my family, sports, church activities, scouting, reading.

Two biggest issues: The biggest issue facing Arizona is the struggling economy. By implementing free market principles and limiting government, we can continue to improve the business climate for Arizona. I’m proud to be just one of four legislators to be named “Free Market Champion.” Arizona has been a leader in pro-business legislation, and I will continue to push for improvement.

Budget priorities: Arizona needs to move to a zero-based budgeting model. We also need to privatize as many aspects of the government as possible.

Fiscal philosophy: I am a fiscal conservative.

Common Core: I believe in local control of education. I have always voted against Common Core.

Gifts to elected officials: I support a ban on gifts and have supported legislation to do such.

Transparency in government: There is a lack of transparency in all levels of government. In the last session I drafted legislation that would require governing boards to make public all policies they were lobbying for. This process would ensure that a citizen could get more informed of what policy is being pushed by their local jurisdiction.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I believe that life is the first inalienable right. I’m proud to have supported several pro-life bills. Recently I signed an amicus brief in support of pro-life law that is being challenged by Planned Parenthood. I’m happy to say that with the efforts of several pro-life groups and the Legislature, Arizona has moved up to the 4th most pro-life state in the nation. I don’t understand why anyone would terminate the life of our most innocent and vulnerable.

Public policy advice: The first question I ask is whether it is constitutional and truly a function of government. Then I question how it will affect an individual’s ability to choose or affect their rights. When I struggle with a policy, I first look to heaven and then to many of my friends who I respect and admire. I’m fortunate to have seat-mates that are proven conservatives. I think it is imperative to truly listen to both sides of every policy as both have valuable insight to offer.

Republican – Legislative District 18 House

Phone: (480) 838-3118

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.DavidPheanis.com

Address: 938 E Ranch Rd , Tempe, AZ 85284

Age: 67. (05/31/47, Columbus, OH).

Arizona since: 1970

Occupation: Professor of computer science and engineering, ASU, 1974-2004; officer, U.S. Air Force, 1969-73; founder and principal, Western Microsystems (a company that designs and develops custom software for microprocessors and embedded systems), since 1974.

Marital: Married

Children: 2

Education: Ph.D., electrical and computer engineering, ASU, 1974; M.S., electrical engineering, ASU, 1973; B.S. (with honors), math, Case Institute of Technology, 1960.

Political experience: President of two different HOAs for over 25 years; founder, Youth for Goldwater.

Interests: Working on houses, hiking, reading, travel, avid sports fan.

Two biggest issues: Improving the economy and improving education. The government can improve the economy by removing or reducing impediments to businesses and job creation. The compliance/reporting burden that the government imposes on businesses is crippling, especially for small businesses that do not have large administrative staffs. Improving education is essential for our future, and improving education will ultimately improve the economy and job prospects. We need stronger requirements for the study of math, science, English, and personal finance. We also need to expand the Regents Scholarship program so that more of our best and brightest students will remain in Arizona for college and, most likely, following graduation from college.

Budget priorities: Simply spending more money without carefully targeting it will not help, but my top priority for budget consideration is education. I think the best opportunity for saving money would be to provide a defined-contribution retirement plan for new government employees while allowing current employees to remain in their defined-benefit plan if they wish.

Fiscal philosophy: I believe in a balanced budget, of course, but the state, unlike the federal government, has no other option. I have always been frugal with my own money and have managed my personal finances carefully and wisely. I would do no less with the state’s finances.

Common Core: The implementation of Common Core is certainly far from perfect, but I have not seen any alternative proposal that would be as good. We need higher standards for education. Our children will grow up to compete with people from all over the world, and our children will not do well if we continue to give them an education that ranks well below what children in many other countries receive. If someone has a proposal for standards that are better than Common Core, we should consider that proposal. Simply being against Common Core without offering a better program, though, seems like a shortsighted approach.

Gifts to elected officials: I would favor a clear-cut rule that simply prohibits such gifts entirely. Alternatively, we could allow gifts of a nominal value, perhaps not to exceed $25 in value.

Transparency in government: The more visible the governing process is, the better our government will be. Public scrutiny tends to eliminate many undesirable actions.

Pro-life / pro-choice: My personal feeling is that abortion is a terrible thing, and I think that anyone who saw the exhibit of fetuses at the Arizona Science Center a few years ago would feel the same way. I think the government should provide counseling and the alternative of adoption. However, I do not feel entitled to impose my own personal beliefs onto other people, so I will not be the person who, for example, tells a rape victim that she cannot have an abortion.

Public policy advice: I look to people who have experience and knowledge in the particular area of the policy in question. For example, I have talked with present and former legislators to gain insight about things the Legislature has done in the past. I have talked with medical experts to get informed opinions regarding medical issues. I have talked with other educators to help develop my own ideas about education. In general, I go to people who have expertise in the area of concern, so I don’t turn to any one source for overarching advice.

Republican – Secretary of State

Phone: (480) 776-9343

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.JustinPierceForArizona.com

Facebook: Justin Pierce

Twitter: @JPierce4Arizona

Address: 2621 E Odessa Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213

Age: 39. (01/06/75, Mesa, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth

Occupation: Attorney/shareholder, Jackson Lewis P.C., since 2010; associate, Ford & Harrison, LLP, 2007-10; associate, Lewis & Roca, LLP, 2004-06; law clerk, the Honorable Charles E. Jones, Chief Justice, AZ Supreme Court, 2003-04.

Marital: Married

Children: 5

Education: J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2003; B.S., accountancy, ASU, 2000.

Political experience: Precinct committeeman since 1993; volunteer for multiple campaigns for Congress, the state Legislature, and statewide offices over the last 20 years.

Legis exp: House 2011-14. Appointed 5/25/11 to replace Kirk Adams.

Interests: I enjoy spending time with my wife and five children, particularly in the beautiful Rim Country of Arizona. I also enjoy watching, playing, and coaching sports. I have also played the guitar for more than 25 years and am interested in a wide variety of music.