2026 Arizona Primary Election Voter Guide

About the Humane Voters of Arizona Primary Election Voter Guide

The Humane Voters of Arizona (HVA) Primary Election Voter Guide does not include all of our endorsements. Additional recommendations will be made for the General Election and posted on our website. Our General Election Voter Guide will be more comprehensive and will include endorsements for additional races, ballot measures, and statewide contests. Some endorsements may change based on the outcome of the primary election or other relevant developments.

Your Primary Election Vote is Important

In many legislative districts, the Primary Election will effectively determine who wins the seat because the General Election is unlikely to be competitive. Supporting pro-animal candidates in contested Primaries is therefore just as important as electing them in competitive November races.

Humane Voters of Arizona is an all-volunteer, non-partisan organization dedicated to electing legislators and candidates who will fight for stronger protections for animals and oppose legislation that weakens Arizona’s animal cruelty laws and other humane policies.

HVA Endorsement Process

All endorsements are approved by the HVA Board of Directors and Election Team. They are based primarily on candidates’ voting records during the past two legislative sessions, their leadership and actions on animal protection issues, and their stated positions as reflected in candidate surveys and other public statements. We do not endorse candidates who lack a legislative record and have not provided written responses or other meaningful information about their positions. A candidate’s voting record, when available, always carries greater weight than survey responses when determining endorsements.

Our website also includes candidate survey responses, which we encourage every voter to review. We recognize candidates who provide thoughtful, substantive responses that demonstrate a strong understanding of animal protection issues and encourage voters to contact candidates directly if they have questions.

While voting records and survey responses are our primary criteria, HVA may also consider other relevant factors that reflect a candidate’s likely commitment to advancing animal protection. These factors could include speaking out on animal-related measures or providing other help on legislation. As a result, some endorsed candidates may not have perfect voting records but are likely to be stronger advocates for animals than their opponents.

In Primary races where HVA has not made an endorsement, we encourage voters to review incumbent legislative scorecards, former legislators’ voting records, and candidate survey responses, all of which are available on our website.

Be Strategic with Your Vote

Arizona voters elect two House of Representatives candidates from each legislative district. In districts where HVA endorses only one House candidate, we encourage supporters to consider casting a single vote for that candidate rather than voting for two candidates. Known as “single-shot voting,” this strategy can maximize the endorsed candidate’s chances of election by avoiding vote dilution.

You can find voting records for incumbent federal candidates at Humane World Action Fund.

Be a Voice for Arizona’s Animals

Many Arizona races are effectively decided in the primary election, making your vote especially important. Please vote, share this voter guide with fellow animal advocates, and encourage others to participate. If you’re unsure which legislative district you live in or need election information, visit Arizona.Vote.

Candidates who will stand up for animals also need your support. Please consider making a contribution to Humane Voters of Arizona or volunteering for endorsed candidates’ campaigns. To get involved, contact us at info@humanevotersaz.org.

Arizona State Senate

Arizona House of Representatives

Key

LD = Legislative District
(i) = Incumbent
* = Responded to HVA Questionnaire

Please Note: HVA has not endorsed candidates in all legislative districts.

In legislative races where there are no HVA endorsements, please refer to legislative reports (for incumbents and former legislators) and candidate survey responses.

If you have questions or comments, please contact us at info@humanevotersaz.org.

Animal Advocate Candidates in Other Races

HVA primarily makes endorsements on legislative races. However, we believe it is important for voters to learn about the position of candidates in other races regarding animal protection. We will be making more recommendations in the General Election Voter Guide. You can find voting records for federal candidates at Humane World Action Fund.

Congressional District 1 Primary Election

Dr. Amish Shah, candidate for Congressional District 1, is a former state representative who has demonstrated a strong commitment for animal protection and citizen initiative rights. He sponsored bills that would have repealed the law prohibiting local ordinances that ban sales of puppy mill dogs, legislation to outlaw the practice of declawing cats, and other animal protection bills.

Pima County Animal Welfare Court Justice

Victoria Steele is running for reelection as Pima County Animal Welfare Court Justice. In Court, Judge Steele demonstrates her strong ethics and compassion for animals on a daily basis. As a former legislator, Senator Steele has a 100 percent voting record on animal-related bills from Humane Voters of AZ and also helped sponsor legislation to address puppy mills and worked to pass the bill that raised penalties for extreme animal abuse.