About Primary Election Endorsements
The HVA Primary Election Voter Guide does not include all of our endorsements. We will make additional recommendations for the general election and post on our website. The General Election Guide will be more comprehensive and include recommendations on ballot measures and other races. Some endorsements made for the general election may change based on primary election race outcomes or other factors.
Humane Voters of Arizona (HVA) is an all-volunteer, non-partisan organization supporting State legislators and candidates who advocate for animals and their protection via legislation and other legal measures.
The HVA Board and Election Team approves all candidate endorsements, which are based primarily on voting records of the past two legislative sessions, analyses of actions that candidates have taken in the past with regard to animal protection issues, and on their stated positions on these issues. For candidates who do not have a historical record and have not provided written position statements (survey responses or other documents), we have made no endorsements. In the survey response section, we try to acknowledge candidates who have submitted excellent survey responses. We recommend that voters review those surveys and contact candidates if they have questions.
When making endorsements, HVA may also consider other factors in a race in addition to voting records and surveys.Some endorsed candidates may not have excellent voting records but would likely be more supportive on animal protection issues than their opponents.
In primary races where there are no HVA endorsements, please refer to legislative reports (for incumbents and former legislators), and candidate survey responses which are posted on the HVA website.
“Single-Shot” Voting”: In Arizona House races voters choose two representatives for each legislative district. In LDs where HVA has endorsed only one candidate, please consider casting a single vote for the endorsed candidate, which will maximize their odds against opponents where votes are split.
For federal election information and endorsements visit the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
Be a Voice for Arizona’s Animals by voting in the state primary election, where many races are decided. Please share this voter guide with other animal advocates and encourage them to vote. If you’re not sure what new legislative district you reside in, you can get all information at Arizona.Vote.
Candidates who support animal protection need your help! Please consider pitching in to help HVA elect animal-friendly legislators and to volunteer on their campaigns! If you can help, please contact us at info@humanevotersaz.org.
Primary Election Voter Guide
Arizona State Senate
LD 2 Judy Schwiebert (i)
LD 3 John Kavanagh (i)*
LD 4 Christine Marsh (i)
LD 5 Lela Alston (i)
LD 6 Theresa Hatathlie (i)
LD 8 Lauren Kuby *
LD 9 Eva Burch (i)
LD 10 Robert Doyle *
LD 12 Mitzi Epstein (i)
LD 16 T.J. Shope (i)
LD 17 John McLean *
LD 18 Priya Sundareshan (i)
LD 20 Sally Ann Gonzales (i)*
LD 21 Rosanna Gabaldón (i)
LD 22 Eva Diaz (i)
LD 23 Brian Fernandez (i)
LD 26 Flavio Bravo (i)*
LD 29 Eric Stafford *
Arizona House of Representatives
LD 1 Selina Bliss (i)
LD 1 Quang Nguyen (i)
LD 2 Ari Bradshaw *
LD 4 Kelli Butler
LD 4 Matt Gress (i)
LD 5 Sarah Liguori (i)
LD 5 Charles Lucking (i)*
LD 6 Mae Peshlakai (i)
LD 6 Myron Tsosie (i)
LD 7 Walt Blackman
LD 7 Nancy Hartl *
LD 8 Brian Garcia *
LD 9 Lorena Austin (i)
LD 9 Seth Blattman (i)
LD 12 Patty Contreras (i)*
LD 12 Stacey Travers (i)
LD 16 Teresa Martinez (i)
LD 16 Keith Seaman (i)
LD 18 Nancy Gutierrez (i)*
LD 18 Chris Mathis (i)
LD 20 Alma Hernandez (i)
LD 20 Betty Villegas (i)
LD 21 Consuelo Hernandez (i)
LD 22 Lupe Contreras (i)
LD 22 Elda Luna-Nájera (i)
LD 24 Lydia Hernandez (i)
LD 26 Quanta Crews (i)
LD 27 Deborah Howard *
LD 27 Brian Morris *
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.
Candidates with Excellent Survey Responses
HVA would like to acknowledge the following candidates who submitted excellent survey responses with detailed comments. We recommend that voters review those survey responses. You can access all surveys here.
Karen Gresham, LD 4 House
Mary Ann Mendoza, LD 9 House
Gregg Frostrom, Jr. LD 19 House
Michelle Altherr, LD 23 Senate
Jimmy Holmes, LD 23 House
Barbara Fike, LD 28 House
Candidates in Other Races
HVA generally does not make endorsements on all races. However, we believe it is important for voters to learn about the position of candidates on animal protection. We will be making more recommendations in the General Election Voter Guide.
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.
Kirsten Engel, candidate for Congressional District 6, is a former state legislator who has an excellent voting record for protecting animals and citizen initiative rights.
Steve Gallardo, candidate for Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, is a former state legislature who consistently voted to protect animals and citizen initative rights.
Rachel Mitchell,candidate for reelection as Maricopa County Attorney, hired an experienced detective with significant experience investigating animal cruelty cases. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office also actively supported several animal protection bills. HVA will be sending surveys to all county attorney candidates for the general election and posting their responses for consideration by voters.