Stacey Seaman
State Senator - District 16
Democratic
Stacey Seaman is an educator and advocate, seeking her Ph.D in Music Education. She grew up in rural Arizona, and was involved in both her community and politics at an early age. After graduating from UofA with her degree in Music Education, she moved to Casa Grande to teach music in the Casa Grande Elementary School District. Stacey has always been a strong community advocate, church volunteer, and prominent in the Casa Grande Community, and even named an Exemplary Woman Leader for Pinal County. She now plans to represent her community in the state legislature alongside her father.
I grew up in the rural community of Lake Havasu City and was involved in both my community and politics at an early age. I volunteered for my father's first legislative campaign when I was sixteen. I moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona and graduated with a degree in Music Education. After graduation, I briefly taught music in Tucson before moving to Casa Grande to teach in the Casa Grande Elementary School District. I have always been a strong community advocate and have been prominent in the Casa Grande Community. I served on the Casa Grande Arts and Humanities Commission for nine years, the Casa Grande Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for two years, and was a three-year member of the Creative Communities grant delegation through the Arizona Commission on the Arts. I have been a Casa Grande "Voices " of the Future Honoree, named an Exemplary Woman Leader for Pinal County, and a National Women in Business Week Honoree. I also serve as cantor every Sunday at my local church. I know the power of community, and I am excited to continue to represent Pinal County in the legislature.
Thomas "T.J." Shope
State Senator - District 16
Republican
https://tjshope.com/
T.J. Shope has a diverse family background, rooted in community. His grandmother and grandfather, Luisa and Jesse, shaped TJ's work ethic and philosophy. Jesse worked as a miner and was a member of the United Steelworkers. T.J.'s other grandfather opened an independent grocery store sixty years ago. T.J. was recognized as the "Freshman of the Year" from the Arizona Mining Association, a "Tech Ten" legislator by the Arizona Technology Council, and has proudly been endorsed by police and fire. T.J. is a proud ASU Sun Devil and lives with his wife, Melissa, in Coolidge.
This election is critical for Arizona. I am proud to fight for District 16 and rural Arizona as your State Senator. From funding law enforcement, to fighting to bring new jobs to Pinal County, to supporting our mines and rural interest, I am working on priorities that benefit hard-working families throughout our state. I am proud to have earned endorsements from first responders, including police and fire, as well as business groups from around the state. I have sponsored legislation to provide law enforcement with the tools and the funding they need to get the job done and keep criminals off our streets, including voting for harsher penalties against drug cartels, dealers, and human traffickers. From border security and funding law enforcement, to responsibly investing in our schools, protecting our water rights and rural way of life, to balancing our state budget while investing in the I-10 widening and SR 347, I will keep fighting for you at the State Capitol! For more information visit www.TJShope.com.
Rob Hudelson
State Representative - District 16
Republican
https://robforstaterep.com/
Rob Hudelson is a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Gulf War years. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Rob went to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master's degree in Christian Education. Rob served as a youth minister for a decade before becoming the founding pastor of Legacy Baptist Church in Coolidge 18 years ago. While living in Coolidge Rob served on the City Council for four years. Rob and his wife, Amy, have 7 children and 5 grandchildren. Rob enjoys training in Jiu Jitsu for a hobby and personal fitness.
I have been married 31 years, with 7 children, and 5 grandkids. As a family man, a pastor, and a small business owner, I see a desperate need for Christian leadership in our nation. The Republican party platform is exceptional because it is rooted in biblical principle. For example, I am pro-life because of Psalm 139.13. I am pro-second amendment because of Luke 22.36. Parents, not the government, are responsible for their children's education and should have school choices (Ephesians 6.1-4). This is why protecting ESA's is so important. The invasion at the border must be stopped, and the woke narrative strangling businesses through DEI training and ill-fated policies must be opposed at every turn. Current LD 16 representatives have supported these damaging policies, at least in part, undermining our freedoms and liberties. This is a critical time for our country and especially for our state. I will fight to be your voice staving off the socialist agenda and protecting our American heritage.
Chris Lopez
State Representative - District 16
Republican
https://www.LopezForAZ.com
Born and raised in Casa Grande, Chris Lopez is a small business owner, dad, and husband. Chris and his wife chose to raise their five kids in Casa Grande because it provides a great sense of community and upholds Arizona's core values. Chris attended the University of Anchorage Alaska to pursue a marketing degree and put his education and lessons learned into starting his business, which has grown with Arizona - and even into neighboring states. Passionate about his faith and local charities, he serves on non-profit boards that support the community!
Born and raised in Casa Grande, I have dedicated my life to upholding our Conservative values. As a dad, I know the importance of safe neighborhoods, a secure border, and the ability to provide Arizona families with school choice. As a small business owner, I know how critical a thriving economy is to the hardworking men and women in District 16, which is built upon limited government, low taxes, and an affordable cost of living. I am committed to defending our shared values at the State Capitol. Whether it's more funding for police and first responders, defending our neighborhoods, or fighting for employers and job creators throughout our state, I am the candidate with the private sector experience and knowledge we need at the Capitol. My wife and I chose to raise our family in Arizona based on the values we learned in Pinal County because we believe this community offers great schools, strong neighborhoods, and safe streets - and I'm committed to fighting to protect it. Learn more at LopezForAZ.com
Teresa Martinez
State Representative - District 16
Republican
https://martinezforarizona.com/
Rep. Teresa Martinez was born and raised in Casa Grande, AZ. Teresa is a single mom of a 22 year old son. She is the oldest of 5 children, Rep. Martinez has a long history working in politics, holding multiple positions for two Members of Congress and for the former Republican Arizona Secretary of State. Before getting into politics, Teresa worked as long term substitute teacher at her alma mater Casa Grande Union High School for several years and at the Frito Lay factory in Casa Grande.
My priorities include protecting local businesses, developing the economy in the face of inflation, and help to bring high paying jobs to the district. Transportation infrastructure is an important point of focus, especially as it pertains to the I-10 expansion between Casa Grande and Chandler as well as improvements on State Route 347 and 238 for the town of Maricopa. I will support legislation that makes our schools and our community safer. I support law enforcement and the adequate funding they require to do their jobs effectively. My other priorities include school choice and empowering parents, election integrity, preserving rural communities, protecting our Second Amendment and water. I will always put you first!
Gabriela "Gabby" Saucedo Mercer
State Representative - District 16
Republican
https://gabbyforaz.com
Gabby Mercer became a naturalized citizen on July 3rd. 1991. She has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Gabby has been involved in politics since 2009, she became a Precinct and State Committeeman. She has served as the 2nd Vice chair and Secretary at the AZ Republican Party. She was a Delegate at the 2016 RNC Convention casting her vote to nominate Donald J. Trump. Gabby has been fighting the establishment on both sides since 2009. Gabby works for a small business in Tucson; she is bilingual and not afraid of saying it like it is in both languages.
After living in LD16 for almost 15 years, I have not had my values and the things that matter to me represented at the legislature. I am running because I am tired of having to vote for the lesser of two evils. As an elected representative you should not compromise fiscal responsibility, sanctity of life and the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as stated in the US Constitution; just to be in good graces with lobbyist and special interest groups to insure your political career. Katie Hobbs regime has been very destructive to our liberties, and they need to be stopped. We need to strengthen our Southern Border and demand the Federal Government enforce our immigration laws. The foreign invasion we are experiencing is not acceptable. We must restore our American values, strengthen our public education with curriculums that cover all the basics in learning and entice children to be challenged in math and science; our society will not survive if we continue this path of dumbing down our children with failing public education. We must give parents educational choices for their children by continuing to offer and defend the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA).
Keith Seaman
State Representative - District 16
Democratic
https://www.seamanforarizona.com/
I moved to Arizona in 1974 to start my first teaching job in Lake Havasu City. Over the next 40 years, I dedicated my life to education while raising my daughter. I worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in Mohave County. My time in education showed me the problems that teachers and students face. In 2018, I ran - and won - a seat on the Coolidge Unified School Board. In 2022, I was honored by the voters of LD 16 to represent them in the Arizona House of Representatives. If re-elected, I will fight for Arizona students, teachers, and families.
During my 40 years in rural classrooms across the state, I saw just how underfunded our state's public schools are when a ceiling collapsed over a rug full of my kindergarten students while I was teaching. Now, I work to help Arizonans make their voices heard at the legislature through my work with Civic Engagement Beyond Voting. I am ready to continue the work of listening to constituents as Legislative District 16s representative. My vision is an Arizona where every child in our state can access a quality public education regardless of zip code, all voters have the freedom to vote and participate in our democracy, and families don't have to choose between paying healthcare costs and avoiding bankruptcy. Our state is so divided right now. I know we can bridge divides and build community by bringing everyone into our governing process and giving all good ideas the fair hearing at the legislature they deserve.