WASHINGTON — Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is announcing its first slate of Arizona Spotlight candidates. After making significant gains in 2018, Democrats need just two seats in the House and three seats in the Senate to flip the state from red to blue. Today’s slate of thirteen strong candidates and incumbents represents key races that will help Democrats reclaim the majority.
“Our incredible progress in Arizona in 2018 gave us the momentum to finish the job this year,” said DLCC President Jessica Post. “Our outstanding Spotlight candidates are leaders in their community and fierce advocates for progress. With so much at stake this election, we’re excited to work with this incredible lineup of candidates to flip both chambers red to blue in November.”
The DLCC’s slate of Spotlight candidates includes candidates with a range of experiences and includes teachers, business leaders, immigrants, veterans, and other community leaders:
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Coral Evans (LD-06, House), a third-generation Arizonan who has spent over a decade in public service and plans to reconnect the divide between lawmakers and constituents.
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Jennifer Pawlik (LD-17, House), an incumbent who has already made progress in her community during her first term after defying the odds and narrowly flipping her seat from red to blue in 2018.
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Mitzi Epstein (LD-18, House), a lifelong community leader who is running for re-election to continue forging a brighter future and investing in Arizona’s greatest resource — its people.
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Jennifer Jermaine (LD-18, House), co-founder of Stronger Together Arizona and the We the People Summit who is using her organizing prowess to secure education funding and protect civil rights in the state capitol.
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Judy Schwiebert (LD-20, House), a teacher for nearly thirty years and co-founder of an issue-advocacy organization who wants to create pathways for all Arizonans to succeed.
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Kathy Knecht (LD-21, House), a longtime Arizona resident, former schoolteacher, and 12-year school board member who is running to restore government accountability and solve chronic issues all Arizonans face.
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Aaron Lieberman (LD-28, House), the co-founder of Jumpstart and current state representative who is determined to create a robust education system that ensures children and students are prepared for their future.
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Kelli Butler (LD-28, House), a small business owner and long-time public school volunteer who has ardently fought for her community long before stepping foot in the state capitol.
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Felicia French (LD-06, Senate), a combat veteran in the U.S. Army, medevac helicopter pilot and registered nurse, and teacher for college students who has spent her entire adult life serving others — she’ll bring that spirit to full force in the Senate.
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Ajlan “AJ” Kurdoglu (LD-17, Senate), an immigrant turned U.S. citizen and small business owner who has built a deep love for his state and wants to help Arizonans fulfill their own American Dream.
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Sean Bowie (LD-18, Senate), a former consultant, professor at Arizona State University, and state Senator who has a proven record of putting his community first and is determined to keep fighting for them.
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Doug Ervin (LD-20, Senate), an accountant who grew up in the valley and is working to ensure families get access to quality health care, all children receive the best education, and working families have fair tax policies.
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Christine Marsh (LD-28, Senate), a high school teacher and the 2016 Arizona Teacher of the Year who came within 300 votes of flipping a Senate seat blue in 2018 and is running to upend the Republican status quo and give Arizona students the resources they need to succeed.
Arizona is a top target state in the DLCC’s $50 million Flip Everything campaign to win legislative majorities across the country. Since Trump’s election, the DLCC and state Democrats have flipped more than 450 seats and 10 legislative chambers from red to blue.
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