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

State Elections Director Eric Spencer said he has always been fascinated by politics and law, and the intersection between three disciplines – politics, public policy and law – has defined his career.

Debbie and Joe Faillace have been slinging subs together just around the corner from the Capitol for 25 years. Their restaurant, Old Station Sub Shop, is an eatery popular among lawmakers, lawyers and several of Arizona’s governors.

Annette Reichman seriously considered dropping out of high school. Now, Reichman serves as the superintendent for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

Nick Ponder, the new legislative director at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, said his goal is to reintroduce the organization to the Capitol community.

Hayden Samples, the reader at the Arizona House of Representatives, stands out from the sea of dull black, gray and brown outfits with his three-piece suits, colorful bolo ties and boots one might mistake for a snake.

Cheryl Najafi wanted to wear clothes that proudly exclaimed her distaste for the president’s travel ban. So she started her own fashion line, Love Over H8.

From a young age, Mike Liburdi knew he either wanted to work in politics or make a living as a pilot. In the end, he choose law school, the more pragmatic option, that would propel him into Arizona politics.

Chris Herstam spent 35 years at the Capitol, first as a lawmaker and last as a lobbyist, but the longtime public policy fanatic is ready to call it quits.

Francisco Meneses, Jr., remembers watching televised boxing matches as a child with his aunts and uncles at family parties. More than 20 years later, Meneses serves as executive director of the Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission

Dan Hargest started screen-printing T-shirts in his back yard in 1999. Nowadays, he's more well-known as the printer who churned out nearly 25,000 “Red for Ed” shirts in the past two months.