ArMPAC’s 2024 Primary Election Voter Guide
![Arizona’s 2024 Primary Election is right around the corner! Monday, July 1 is the voter registration deadline for the State Primary Election, which is taking place on Tuesday, July 30. To […]](https://armpac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/6.2024_ArMPAC-Voter-Guide.png "ArMPAC’s 2024 Primary Election Voter Guide")
Arizona’s 2024 Primary Election is right around the corner! Monday, July 1 is the voter registration deadline for the State Primary Election, which is taking place on Tuesday, July 30. To learn more about important election dates and your legislative district, click here.
With your time at the ballot box rapidly approaching, the Arizona Medical Political Action Committee (ArMPAC) is making it easier than ever before to stay informed on which candidates have vowed to support the physician community. Take a moment to meet this election cycle’s ArMPAC-endorsed candidates by reviewing our newly published 2024 Primary Election Voter Guide. With ArMPAC’s voter guide in hand, you can feel confident that your vote will support a strong future for health care policy.
Every one of our spotlighted candidates has committed to protecting the practice of medicine at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. You will find that our list features a diverse, bipartisan group of voices, including physicians, teachers, healthcare educators, and more. Together, they can fight for the betterment of medicine in Arizona and work across the aisle to protect patients’ access to high-quality care.
Congressional Endorsements
This year, we are fortunate to have two physicians and Arizona Medical Association members running to represent the State of Arizona in U.S. Congress.
Amish Shah, MD | Congressional District 1
Dr. Amish Shah, an emergency room physician, served as a representative of Legislative District 5 within the Arizona State Legislature for five years. He has a proven track record of sponsoring legislation that is patient-focused and backed by science. During his time at the legislature, Dr. Shah proudly worked across the aisle and, as a result, he had more bills passed and signed by the Governor than any other Democrat member during his tenure. He is dedicated to collaborating on important issues that impact all Arizonans and is a reliable champion for the healthcare community.
Zuhdi Jasser, MD | Congressional District 4
Dr. Zuhdi Jasser is an internal medicine physician and United States Navy Veteran dedicated to Arizona’s medical community. In 2007, he served as president of the Arizona Medical Association, and he is also responsible for the founding and chairing of ArMA’s Private Practice Physician Section. Additionally, Dr. Jasser founded and chairs the same section of the American Medical Association. His experience and unique perspective on the obstacles facing private practices in Arizona and beyond make him an excellent candidate for representing the state’s Congressional District 4.
New State Endorsements
This year, ArMPAC is proud to endorse new candidates for the Arizona State Senate and House of Representatives. From freshman candidates to seasoned legislators seeing re-election in a different chamber, these are the individuals stepping up for physicians and their patients:
New House of Representatives Candidates
Janeen Connolly | Legislative District 8
Janeen Connolly is committed to patient-focused healthcare; she knows, from experience, that healthcare gives Arizonans the ability to work and serve their community. One of her main policy focuses is improving workforce training programs including for healthcare professionals here in Arizona.
Lalani Hunsaker | Legislative District 14
Lalani Hunsaker is a proud Arizonan and a dedicated community member. Her unique background of working across the aisle illustrates her desire to work together in the name of accomplishing good policy for Arizonans. She is interested in improving access to behavioral healthcare and expanding workforce training programs. She is a new candidate running in Arizona’s Legislative District 14, and ArMPAC believes she will be an excellent ally to the House of Medicine.
New Senate Candidates
Representative David Cook | Legislative District 7
Representative David Cook believes in a healthy Arizona for all. He has a unique perspective on rural Arizona and recognizes the need for better access to food, water, and medicine. He is a strong and relentless ally on issues regarding rural medicine and insurance reform, and he has several years of experience at the Arizona State Capitol under his belt.
Incumbent State Endorsements
Many of Arizona’s current state legislators are running for re-election in 2024. Of those seeking re-election, several have proven to be allies of the physician and patient communities.
House of Representatives Incumbents
Representative Matt Gress | Legislative District 4
In 2024, Representative Matt Gress completed his first term in the Arizona State Legislature, where he demonstrated his commitment to working across party lines on policies that improve health care access in Arizona. In addition to his work on the House Health & Human Services Committee, Rep. Gress has experience as a high school English teacher in a low-income area and has served as the state’s budget director. His experiences provide him with a unique perspective on the issues facing Arizonans and make him an ideal candidate for reelection in Legislative District 4.
Representative Sarah Liguori | Legislative District 5
Representative Sarah Liguori was appointed to represent Arizona’s Legislative District 5 during the Arizona State 56th Legislature’s Second Regular Session. She is a strong advocate for equity and equality as well as a dedicated member of the community. Rep. Liguori has been a strong, reasonable voice on the House Health & Human Services Committee, where she has proven a consistent ally to physicians everywhere and an excellent choice for voters in LD5.
Representative Seth Blattman | Legislative District 9
Representative Seth Blattman, who represents Arizona’s Legislative District 9, wants to see Arizona ranked #1 in healthcare spending. Rep. Blattman’s history of honesty and support for physicians make him an ideal candidate for representing the constituents of LD9.
Representative Lorena Austin | Legislative District 9
Representative Lorena Austin has been and will continue to be an excellent advocate for the physicians of Arizona’s Legislative District 9. Representative Austin is passionate about affordable, responsible healthcare and is committed to protecting the House of Medicine in Arizona.
Representative Julie Willoughby | Legislative District 13
Representative Julie Willoughby is an emergency room trauma nurse and dedicated public servant. She cares deeply about the medical community and Arizona’s patients. Rep.Willoughby sees the clear need for change within our healthcare system and works tirelessly to address these problems at the Capitol and beyond. In her first year as part of the legislature, she championed several patient-focused insurance reforms and vows to continue this work in the years to come.
Representative Chris Mathis | Legislative District 18
As a professor of health care law at the University of Arizona, Representative Chris Mathis knows what’s best for physicians and patients in Arizona’s Legislative District 18. Rep. Mathis has a robust knowledge of healthcare policy, making him a valuable asset to physicians and healthcare professionals across the state.
Representative Alma Hernandez | Legislative District 20
Representative Alma Hernandez has a passion for medicine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in care, health & society and a master’s in public health, both of which she earned from the University of Arizona. She is an outspoken ally for the House of Medicine and shows her dedication to medicine and to patients through her daily work and proven ability to work across the aisle.
Representative Quantá Crews | Legislative District 26
Representative Quantá Crews is deeply involved with her community in Arizona’s Legislative District 26. She coordinates the No Limits Special Needs Ministry and is passionate about equitable policy. Since her appointment in 2023, Rep. Crews has been an ally to the medical community on issues of insurance, scope, and workforce development.
Representative Beverly Pingerelli | Legislative District 28
Representative Beverly Pingerelli has a background in biological sciences, working as a cytogenetics technologist at St. Joseph’s Molecular Medicine Lab. Between her background and her dedication to bettering the lives of Arizonans, Rep. Pingerelli has proven herself to be an ally to physicians across the state. During her tenure, Rep. Pingerelli worked tirelessly on key healthcare legislation and never backed down from a challenge, making her an excellent choice for voters in Arizona’s Legislative District 28.
Representative Steve Montenegro | Legislative District 29
Representative Steve Montenegro served as the House Health & Human Services Committee Chair during the Arizona State 56th Legislature’s regular session. As Chair, he was always open and available to physicians for policy discussions on bills as they moved through the process, and he championed several bills with important patient-focused reforms.
State Senate Incumbents
Senator Christine Marsh | Legislative District 4
Senator Christine Marsh believes in a future where the doctor-patient relationship is respected and protected. That’s why her election to the Arizona State Senate is absolutely necessary to create a healthy future for all Arizonans.
Senator Denise “Mitzi” Epstein | Legislative District 12
Senator Mitzi Epstein has always held the same principles in her service to Arizona’s Legislative District 12. She is consistent, and her dedication to physicians is deeply exemplified through her actions at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. Committed to protecting the practice of medicine in Arizona, Senator Epstein is the best choice for LD12.
Senator Priya Sundareshan | Legislative District 18
Senator Priya Sundareshan is the best choice for voters of Arizona’s Legislative District 18. Senator Sundareshan continues to be an advocate for the physician community and works hard to ensure a healthier future for the next generation of Arizonans.
Senator Brian Fernandez | Legislative District 23
Senator Brian Fernandez is a native Arizonan. Born and raised in the district he serves, Senator Fernandez is deeply in tune with the unique issues rural Arizonans face every day. He is a champion of medical policy and a physician’s best advocate. Senator Fernandez was the recipient of ArMA’s 2024 Walk the Talk Award, and he is an excellent choice for voters in Legislative District 23.
Thank you for joining ArMPAC in supporting those supporting you.
Be sure to visit the Arizona Medical Association’s website for frequent updates on physician advocacy and healthcare policy issues impacting physicians and their patients.
And, check back soon for ArMPAC’s General Election Voter Guide, coming later this year.