State House, Senate candidates differ on issues
Alicia Hart
On Nov. 4, voters will be hitting the polls to not only decide who the next president will be, but also who will fill seats in the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate. State House- District 18
Mesa
Cecil Ash: Cecil Ash, a Mesa native, is retired from practicing law and adamant about getting involved in public issues.
Ash is against illegal immigration and believes the solution is to limit the attractions that make illegal immigrants want to cross the border.
The ex-lawyer believes that each government agency should be more efficient and productive with their budget.
He thinks that all new programs that require increased spending should be reviewed in the context of the government’s responsibilities under the constitution.
Steve Court: Steve Court, 58, a retired accountant and small business owner, is committed to serving the people of Mesa for District 18.
If elected, Court believes in safety first and plans to work closely with law enforcement and various public safety entities, to ensure that necessary services are provided in a cost effective manner.
Court also plans to protect seniors by making sure they have the resources to protect those against fraud, identity theft and health care issues.
Tammie Pursley: Tammie Pursley, a Mesa teacher, is the lone Democratic candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives in District 18. Pursley, a 19-year Mesa resident, is a strong advocate for education.
She plans to fight for more funding for education in Arizona, so that classes can be smaller.
Pursley also wants to ensure teacher accountability and enact programs to recruit and train quality teachers.
Pursley will fight to make healthcare affordable for everyone in Arizona.
She plans to provide leadership to develop solutions to the healthcare crisis.
State Senate- District 18
Judah Nativio: Judah Nativio, 30, is close to securing a seat in the state Senate in District 18.
He took home the most votes in the primary and has gained the democratic nomination.
Nativio is a pro-family Democrat who is looking to serve as an advocate for quality education and to protect individual rights.
The 30-year-old seeks to increase the amount of money that is spent per student compared in Arizona with the national average so that each child can have more invested in their future.
Nativio also believes that the best way to combat illegal immigration is to create a temporary workers program that will allow businesses to seek workers across the border.
Russell Pearce: Pearce, a 61-year old retired law enforcement officer, has secured the Republican nomination for a seat in the Senate in District 18 in Mesa.
A four-term representative, term limits barred Pearce from running for re-election in the House.
Pearce has gained national attention for crusading against illegal immigration.
If elected in the Senate, he plans to speak out against illegal immigration and enforce and uphold the law.
The 61-year-old is for limiting the size of government and plans to say no to what he calls out-of-control spending on the part of the government and advocates spending restraint.
State House- District 21
Chandler
Phil Hettmansperger: Phil Hettmansperger, a retired schoolteacher, is running for a seat for the Democratic Party in District 21.
If elected, he plans to work with other legislators to create comprehensive legislative reform.
He also wants to work toward improving air quality and wants to provide incentives for alternative energy development.
Warde V. Nichols: Nichols, an Arizona native, is running for re-election for his House seat in District 21. Nichols supports traditional family values and marriage. If re-elected, he plans to continue to protect property rights of Arizona citizens.
Steve Yarbrough: Steve Yarbrough, running for re-election, believes that to improve healthcare, taxes and regulations should be reduced so that small businesses can better provide coverage for their employees.
Yarbrough is also in support of employer sanctions. He is also adamant that teachers should receive higher pay and there should be high quality teachers in the classroom.
State Senate- District 21
Jay Tibshraeny: Tibshraeny, 52, a native of Chandler, is seeking re-election for District 21. Tibshraeny is a former Chandler mayor.
