Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

Matthew Simon’s path to his current position as the Goldwater Institute’s new director of education policy may be surprising.

Geoff Esposito, a familiar face at the Capitol, has a new role. As a lobbyist for Creosote Partners, the Chandler native has long been active in local Arizona politics, dating back to his high school years and stints at the Arizona School Boards Association and Expect More Arizona.

Jordan Harb, the 17-year-old Mesa student who helped organize a student walkout on March 14 to mark the one-month anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., said he won’t be deterred by lawmakers’ lack of response.

Even after seven years as a foster parent, Darcy Olsen still gets teary eyed talking about the children who have come into her life. Not just for those the system has failed but also for the success stories.

Brandy Wells has passion – for science, for public policy, even for pugs.

A third generation farmer, Republican Tim Dunn hopes to bring some of that experience to the Legislature where he was recently appointed to represent Legislative District 13, succeeding ousted Don Shooter.

Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Director Jeff Hood stumbled into working with kids at a formative time in his own life.

Arizona’s newest senator, Sine Kerr, follows in the footsteps of former Sen. Steve Pierce and the late Sen. Chester Crandell as a lawmaker who lives and breathes the agricultural lifestyle.

Chuck Fitzgerald, the House of Representatives’ sergeant at arms, lives by a Psalms verse hanging in his office: “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Chalon Hutson found his passion in freedom a la libertarian principles. Now, he’s focusing on the issues that affect young Americans most as the field director for Generation Opportunity.