Arizona 2026 Midterm Election Results
Here is the latest on preliminary results from Arizona’s 2026 Midterm Election.
As ballots continue to be counted, the Arizona Medical Political Action Committee — the Arizona Medical Association’s political arm — is keeping a close watch on the outcomes of key races in this year’s midterm election, which will shape the future of healthcare policy.
The state is projected to undergo a historic political shift, with Democrats pulling off surprising upsets across the board, including in suburban and rural districts. Should projections hold, the party will control the Governor’s Office, the House, and the Senate — a legislative landscape Arizona hasn’t seen in 60 years.
Several ArMPAC-endorsed candidates — including emergency physician Dr. Amish Shah and incumbent Representative Beverely Pingerelli— are faring well in competitive races. Our endorsees, who sit on both sides of the aisle, were vetted by physicians and vowed to support the practice of medicine.
Please note that with votes still being counted and some races remaining uncalled, these results are unofficial and may change.
Federal Outcomes & Highlights
Emergency physician and ArMA member Dr. Amish Shah (D) holds a commanding lead over Jay Feely (R) in Congressional District 1. While the race hasn’t been officially called yet, Dr. Shah is projected to win out in this highly competitive district.
In Southern Arizona, JoAnna Mendoza (D) is ahead of incumbent Juan Ciscomani (R) in one of the state and country’s most closely watched battleground districts. In CD2, which covers much of the Navajo Nation and is a traditionally conservative district, incumbent Eli Crane (R) is trailing challenger Jonathan Nez (D) by a few hundred votes.
ArMPAC-endorsed private practice physician and ArMA member Dr. Zuhdi Jasser (R) was unfortunately unsuccessful in his bid for CD4 against incumbent Congressman Greg Stanton (D).
Statewide Highlights
Democratic candidates swept all statewide offices, including Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Treasurer, and the Corporation Commission.
Hobbs’ reelection is notable because the newly elected lieutenant governor, John Giles, will also take office as Arizona’s first lieutenant governor under the state’s new succession framework.
State Legislature Outcomes & Highlights
Perhaps the biggest story of the election night is the likely Democratic takeover of both chambers of the Arizona State Legislature, which would give Democrats a governing trifecta alongside Gov. Hobbs.
As of Wednesday morning, Democrats were leading in 20 of 30 Senate seats and 38 of 60 House seats, potentially marking the first time in decades that the party has controlled both chambers.
Several traditionally Republican and competitive suburban districts appear to have shifted toward Democrats:
- In LD4, Aaron Lieberman, Tammy Caputi, and Karen Greshman (D) are leading incumbent Carine Werner, Matt Gress, and Pamela Carter (R).
- LD14, which would have been considered a solidly Republican district, now has Stephanie Walsh (D) leading Mylie Biggs (R) by a few points.
- Several prominent Republican lawmakers faced potential defeats, including Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R) and ArMPAC-endorsed Rep. Julie Willoughby (R), who was running for the Senate in LD13.
Democrats also appeared poised to strengthen their position in Tucson-area districts, including LD17. If these leads hold, the change in legislative control would represent a significant shift in Arizona’s political landscape and fundamentally alter the environment for the 2027 legislative session.
Looking Ahead
As counties continue to process ballots through the end of the week, some close races may remain undecided and could potentially even trigger a recount if the margins are close enough.
ArMPAC will continue to update this story as new developments occur.
About ArMPAC
As the bipartisan political arm of the Arizona Medical Association, ArMPAC is here to ensure your voice is heard at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. We do this by supporting healthcare-minded candidates who support you.
Your involvement in this process is key to preventing costly, intrusive, and unnecessary legislation that affects the daily practice of medicine. You can help by exercising your right to vote for candidates with strong healthcare platforms. That’s why we publish ArMPAC’s Voter Guide — your essential resource for casting a healthcare-minded ballot.
Did you find our election results summary helpful? Please consider supporting our mission by making a donation of any amount. Our work is entirely funded by healthcare-minded voters like you. Together, we’re keeping healthcare front-and-center at the Arizona State Capitol!
Thank you for joining ArMPAC in our mission to amplify the physician voice.
ArMPAC’s 2026 General Election Voter Guide
Arizona’s 2026 General Election is right around the corner! There is a lot at stake for physicians and their patients in today’s political landscape — that’s why you must be ready to cast your vote on Tuesday, November 3.
The Arizona Medical PAC is here to simplify your voting preparation. Our 2026 General Election Voter Guide is the physician community’s best resource for determining which political candidates will create a strong future for healthcare policy.
Every ArMPAC-endorsed candidate was vetted by a panel of physician advocates, who considered candidates’ platforms, legislative track records, and more. 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.
With ArMPAC’s Voter Guide in hand, you’ll feel confident in casting a vote for the future of public health, patient care, and the practice of medicine.
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Endorsements for Congress
Dr. Amish Shah | Arizona 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.
Dr. Zuhdi Jasser | Arizona 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.
Endorsements for Arizona’s Senate
Dr. Amelia Gallitano | Legislative District 2
Dr. Amelia Gallitano is a physician, neuroscientist, and professor who has devoted her career to service and improving public health. Her experience training the next generation of physicians and helping establish the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix has given her firsthand insight into the challenges facing both patients and healthcare professionals.
In candidate interviews, Dr. Gallitano has demonstrated a commitment to evidence-based policymaking and understands the importance of ensuring physicians have a voice in legislative decisions that affect patient care. She will bring a much-needed physician voice to the Arizona legislature.
John Kavanagh | Legislative District 3
John Kavanagh is a veteran lawmaker seeking re-election in the Arizona Senate. In past sessions, he has supported critical workforce investments. When it comes to the consideration of important healthcare policies, he is the strongest candidate running for the Senate in Arizona’s Legislative District #3.
Christine Marsh | Legislative District 5
Christine Marsh is a returning name at the Arizona State Capitol. She previously served two terms in the Arizona Senate and is seeking another term representing constituents in Legislative District 5.
In 2016, she was named Arizona Teacher of the Year and traveled to schools around the state, an experience she says informed her political platform. She also previously championed key healthcare bills, including life-saving harm reduction legislation.
Julie Willoughby | Legislative District 13
Julie Willoughby previously served a two-year term in the State House and now seeks election to the Senate. She is an emergency room trauma nurse and a small business owner. The foundation of her platform is that public service should put people before politics.
In previous sessions, she has championed several of ArMA’s priority commercial medical insurance reforms, including nationally recognized House Bill 2175, which prohibited health insurers from using only AI to deny claims and prior authorizations.
Priya Sundareshan | Legislative District 18
Priya Sundareshan is running for re-election to the Arizona Senate, where she hopes to represent constituents of Legislative District 18. She is an attorney who values evidence-based policymaking and has always respected the expertise of the physician perspective on legislation affecting patient care and the practice of medicine.
Her willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, coupled with her support for policies that improve access to healthcare and strengthen Arizona’s healthcare system, makes her a strong partner for the physician community.
Brian Fernandez | Legislative District 23
Brian Fernandez has proven to be one of the most dependable partners for Arizona’s physician community through his advocacy for important healthcare issues. He is seeking re-election to the State Senate in Legislative District 23.
While his work is often done outside the spotlight, he consistently engages with stakeholders, helps navigate complex legislation, and works collaboratively to stop dangerous proposals while advancing our priorities. His willingness to listen, collaborate, and advocate on behalf of Arizona’s healthcare system makes him a trusted ally.
Endorsements for Arizona’s House
Selina Bliss | Legislative District 1
Selina Bliss is a nurse, educator, and member of the Arizona State House seeking re-election. First elected in 2022, she has served as a thoughtful Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.
During her term, she has championed critical insurance reforms alongside the Arizona Medical Association, including this year’s House Bill 2194, which would require health insurers to provide a point of contact who can assist with each claim denial.
Matt Gress | Legislative District 4
Matt Gress is a strong voice for Arizona physicians at the State Capitol. He consistently commits to discussing key issues with physicians to hear our expertise, concerns, and perspectives.
As a former teacher, school board member, and state budget director, he has a proven record of pragmatism and results, which is essential for the needs of his district.
Tammy Caputi | Legislative District 4
Tammy Caputi is a dedicated public servant, business professional, and community advocate. She previously served on the Scottsdale City Council for four years. She is deeply committed to practical leadership, stronger communities, and real results for Arizona families. She promises to be a strong advocate for physicians and their patients in the Arizona House.
Aaron Márquez | Legislative District 5
Aaron Márquez is seeking re-election to Legislative District #5 in the Arizona House, where he has served for the past two years. During his tenure, he has consistently voted with ArMA on critical healthcare issues and will continue to be a strong ally in achieving our policy goals in the years to come.
Prior to his time at the Capitol, Rep. Márquez dedicated his life to other forms of public service. He served in two combat tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. He also served on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board.
Sarah Liguori | Legislative District 5
Sarah Liguori is seeking re-election to Legislative District 5 in the Arizona House. As a parent, businesswoman, and physician spouse, Sarah knows that building a better Arizona begins with healthy communities.
She stands behind healthcare at the State Capitol by consistently being the first person to speak up for physicians on the House Floor and in the Health & Human Services Committee. She commits to working with fellow lawmakers to advance initiatives backed by the Arizona Medical Association and our allies. She brings a kind, empathetic, and courageous sense of leadership and always fights for what’s right.
Nancy Gutierrez | Legislative District 18
Nancy Gutierrez is seeking re-election to Legislative District #18 in the Arizona House, where she serves as the Minority Leader of the House. During her tenure, she has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening our health system through policies that invest in healthy communities.
As a member of the Appropriations Committee, she has supported strategic investments and shown a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement. Prior to her political career, she was a math teacher in Tucson.
Chris Mathis | Legislative District 18
Chris Mathis is seeking re-election to Legislative District #18 in the Arizona House. Throughout his tenure, he has been a steadfast partner for the physician community.
His record reflects an unwavering alignment with the Arizona Medical Association’s advocacy priorities, and we can be confident that he will continue to be a trusted advocate and ally for the health of all Arizonans.
Beverly Pingerelli | Legislative District 28
Beverly Pingerelli has been a hardworking partner on healthcare issues affecting Arizona physicians during her recent term in the Arizona House. Now, she is seeking re-election to represent Legislative District 28.
In 2025, she fought passionately for legislation to allow Anesthesiology Assistants to practice in Arizona. Her pragmatic approach to policymaking and openness to stakeholder input have made her a valued voice on healthcare policy.
Preparing to Vote
How to Make Your Voting Plan
The voter registration deadline for Arizona’s General Election has passed, and mail-in ballots were sent to early voters on Wednesday, October 7. If you are registered to vote, then take a few minutes today to make your voting plan.
Click here to access a nonpartisan resource that can help you:
- Explore your options for voting early, by mail, or on Election Day.
- Find your polling place, early voting location, or ballot drop-off options.
- See what’s on your ballot and check voter ID requirements.
What’s At Stake for Healthcare
There is a lot at stake for physicians and their patients in today’s political landscape. Policies that affect public health priorities, patients’ affordability and access to healthcare, and your profession as a physician are decided by the lawmakers elected during Arizona’s General Election. We cannot afford for healthcare voices to be missing from that process.
Other Ways to Support Civic Engagement
There are other easy ways to support ArMPAC’s mission of connecting voting and health, all while staying nonpartisan. Small actions go a long way in making civic engagement part of everyday care.
- Download free digital materials to begin helping communities, like your patients, register to vote in upcoming elections
- Order your own badge to help eligible voters cast their ballots
About ArMPAC
As the bipartisan political arm of the Arizona Medical Association, ArMPAC is here to ensure your voice is heard at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. We do this by supporting healthcare-minded candidates who support you.
Your involvement in this process is key to preventing costly, intrusive, and unnecessary legislation that affects the daily practice of medicine. You can help by exercising your right to vote for candidates with strong healthcare platforms. That’s why we publish ArMPAC’s Voter Guide — your essential resource for casting a healthcare-minded ballot.
Did you find ArMPAC’s Voter Guide helpful? Please consider supporting our mission by making a donation of any amount. Our work is entirely funded by healthcare-minded voters like you. Together, we’re keeping healthcare front-and-center at the Arizona State Capitol!
Thank you for joining ArMPAC in our mission to amplify the physician voice.
Arizona’s 2026 Governor’s Race Takes Shape as Hobbs Launches Multimillion-Dollar Ad Campaign
Governor Hobbs Makes Aggressive Start to Re-election Campaign Amid Competitive Year
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has kicked off her re-election bid with a multimillion-dollar advertising push, signaling an early and aggressive start to what is expected to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races in the country.
What the Ads Say
The television, radio, and digital campaign highlights Hobbs’ working-class background — including stints in fast food, driving for Uber, and working as a social worker before entering public office. The ads also emphasize her policy agenda focused on lowering costs for Arizona families, including housing, utilities, and prescription drugs.
The Political Landscape
Hobbs’ team says the campaign is designed to reinforce her commitment to working families and bipartisan solutions. Republicans, however, are pushing back — questioning her record on inflation, housing, and state spending.
Why Arizona Is in the Spotlight
The early ad buy reflects Arizona’s continued rise as a national political battleground. Both parties are expected to invest heavily in the governor’s race over the coming year, making it a key contest heading into 2026.
The Results Are In: Analyzing Arizona’s Primary Election
Celebrating Victories: ArMPAC’s Impact on Arizona’s 2024 Primary Election
Arizona’s 2024 Primary Election was held yesterday, and while many votes are still being counted, we have some exciting results to share! Voters had the opportunity to select party nominees for federal, state, and local elections.
Tuesday saw 1.1 million ballots cast, 26.02% voter turn out, with 96% of precincts reporting. Our endorsed healthcare-minded candidates showed strong performances, and we’re excited to see many of them advancing. Here’s a quick rundown of the outcomes:
Primary Election Victories
Amish Shah, MD | Congressional District 1
Janeen Connolly | Legislative District 8
Learn more about Ms. Connolly »
Representative Matt Gress | Legislative District 4
Representative Sarah Liguori | Legislative District 5
Learn more about Rep. Liguori »
Representative Seth Blattman | Legislative District 9
Learn more about Rep. Blattman »
Representative Lorena Austin | Legislative District 9
Learn more about Rep. Austin »
Representative Julie Willoughby | Legislative District 13
Learn more about Rep. Willoughby »
Representative Chris Mathis | Legislative District 18
Learn more about Rep. Mathis »
Representative Alma Hernandez | Legislative District 20
Learn more about Rep. Hernandez »
Representative Quantá Crews | Legislative District 26
Representative Beverly Pingerelli | Legislative District 28
Learn more about Rep. Pingerelli »
Representative Steve Montenegro | Legislative District 29
Learn more about Rep. Montenegro »
Senator Christine Marsh | Legislative District 4
Learn more about Senator Marsh »
Senator Denise “Mitzi” Epstein | Legislative District 12
Learn more about Senator Epstein »
Senator Priya Sundareshan | Legislative District 18
Learn more about Senator Sundareshan »
Senator Brian Fernandez | Legislative District 23
Learn more about Senator Fernandez »
Primary Election Losses
While some of our candidates didn’t make it through, their efforts and dedication to healthcare advocacy remain invaluable:
Zuhdi Jasser, MD | Congressional District 4
Zuhdi Jasser, MD | Congressional District 4
Learn more about Ms. Hunsaker »
Representative David Cook | Legislative District 7
As votes continue to be tallied, we remain optimistic about the final counts and grateful for the commitment each candidate has shown to improving healthcare in Arizona.
What’s Next?
ArMPAC, the non-partisan political arm of the Arizona Medical Association, is dedicated to ensuring that your voice is heard at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. We support candidates who advocate for the healthcare community, and your involvement is crucial.
Get Involved
You can help make a difference by making a small, recurring donation to ArMPAC. Your contributions allow us to continue supporting candidates who prioritize your needs and work towards preventing costly, intrusive, and unnecessary legislation affecting the daily practice of medicine.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for your continued support!
Elections 103: Maricopa County Text Updates
Have you ever wondered if your election ballot was verified and counted? Maricopa County residents can receive text updates on the status of their ballot from start to finish. Want to receive texts for the general election in November? Text the letters “EV” to 628683. You will receive a link to subscribe to text and emails from the Maricopa County Recorder’s office. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation text that you have signed up to receive alerts. Throughout election season, you can text “EV” to 628683 and receive the most recent update on your ballot.
This article was originally published by Eryn Streeter for the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) on Friday, August 5, 2022.
Elections 102: Candidate Names on a Primary Election Ballot
Have you ever noticed that candidate names listed on a primary election ballot are not always in alphabetical order? Any ballot category that has two or more candidates running for an office will have names rotated so each candidate’s name appears equally at the top. Rotating names provides the opportunity for each candidate to be exposed to the same number of voters as their competitors. In Maricopa County, there are over 19,000 ballot styles for the primary election alone.
This article was originally published by Eryn Streeter for the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
Elections 101: Ballot Measure Numbers
Did you know the actual ballot measure number has a specific meaning about the measure? Initiatives and referendums can range from 100 all the way through 400.
Ballot measures that begin with a one are Constitutional amendments. Any proposed amendment to the Constitution must be approved by voters and can be introduced by a voter initiative or legislative referendum. Proposition 105 (1998), which prohibits the legislature from amending citizens’ initiatives, is a well-known example of a constitutional amendment. Measures that begin with a two are citizen initiatives. As you may recall, in 2020, voters had two citizen initiatives: Proposition 207 which legalized recreational marijuana, and Proposition 208 which imposed a tax surcharge on certain income brackets for education funding.
Ballot measures beginning with a three are legislative referendums. In this instance, if sufficient signatures are gathered to demonstrate that voters are not supportive of a newly enacted law, the voters will have the opportunity to override the legislature’s law. Finally, propositions beginning with a four are bond or budget override, or it is a local government issue. The Peoria Unified School District, for example, referred an override to the ballot in 2020 that would authorize a 13 percent maintenance and operations budget override continuation.
This article was originally published by Eryn Streeter for the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) on Friday, July 22, 2022.