As we get deeper into election season, more candidates are starting to jump into races, creating head-to-head primary elections to determine the nominee for a district. In Arizona, an open state senate seat has an upcoming primary election for the Democratic nomination. Today we are profiling one of those candidates!

Analise Ortiz (she/her/hers) is the current state representative for her district, but after one term in the Arizona House of Representatives, she has decided to run for the Arizona State Senate. Analise is a Latina millennial civil rights activist who worked for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on issues like criminal justice reform and federal immigration reform, before running for the Arizona House in 2022, where she is the first openly pansexual member of the Arizona legislature. In the House, she is a leader in the Democratic caucus on criminal justice reform, protecting and expanding reproductive rights, and advocating for affordable housing for Arizonans. Analise is passionate about combatting exclusionary zoning practices through meaningful and equitable zoning reforms.

Where are you based?
Maryvale in West Phoenix, AZ.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
Currently the State Representative for District 24, now running for an open seat in State Senate District 24.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
I am a native Arizonan, a small business owner, and a former journalist and civil rights activist. Currently, I live in Maryvale and represent West Phoenix and South Glendale in the Arizona House of Representatives where I have doubled investments into affordable housing and homelessness. As the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, I defended reproductive rights. In the State Senate, I will continue working to make housing more affordable, invest in public schools, and strengthen civil rights.

What inspired you to run?
Growing up in Arizona, my parents were both educators who taught their six kids the importance of giving back. I was keenly aware growing up of the injustices that were harming communities in Arizona, like Sheriff Arpaio’s rein of terror, the ban on Mexican-American studies, and continued disinvestment from public schools. I graduated summa cum laude from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU and became an investigative reporter. After uncovering government corruption and exposing harmful legislation, I realized I wanted to get involved in politics to make a change. I worked at a civil rights organization before the people of Maryvale and Glendale elected me to the Arizona House of Representatives.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I envision a world where all Arizonans have the ability to thrive free of oppression and state violence.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
Two years. I am most proud to have helped legalize casitas, established a new homeless services fund, doubled investments to the state’s housing trust fund, and to have played a key role in repealing the 1864 abortion ban.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
1) Public education: As a product of Arizona’s public schools, I grew up hearing my teacher’s talk about buying their own classroom supplies and working more than one job. I watched my fine arts programs get cut. Decades later and hardly anything has changed in my nieces and nephew’s public schools. It’s time for Arizona to stop being a national embarrassment and ranking last in education funding. We need to support and invest in public schools, community colleges, childcare and early-childhood education, and apprenticeship programs. We need Arizona kids to grow up and be able to find good, union jobs here and stay here. Strong public schools are the foundation of strong future economies, workforces, and fine-arts communities. Public schools are our future.
2) Housing and homelessness: Rent and housing costs are skyrocketing in Arizona and it's contributing to more people, including seniors and families, living unhoused. We must stabilize the housing market by limiting how much rent can be raised. In my zip code of 85035, rent has increased 129% since 2015--it’s forcing families and senior citizens on fixed incomes to go through the trauma of an eviction and in some cases to live in their cars or hotels. It’s unsustainable and unacceptable. There are other steps we must take to truly solve this problem: we need more housing options. We can reform zoning laws to provide those options, increase supply, and ensure homes remain affordable. We must put more money into the Arizona Housing Trust Fund. And we must hold predatory investors accountable for coming into our communities, buying up all the housing, and selling it at inflated rates. I support investing in more social services/wrap-around services and low-barrier shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
3) Protecting Democracy: Arizona’s legislature is ground zero for some of the most dangerous conspiracies about the 2020 election. We need strong fighters to stand up to the big lie and ensure voter suppression legislation is stopped in its tracks. I am a strong supporter of protecting people’s right to participate in the democratic process, including the right to vote and the right to protest. We should pass proactive legislation to expand voting rights, like allowing people to register to vote on Election Day, granting paid-leave to people on Election Day, and making it easier for people who’ve been impacted by the criminal justice system to restore their right to vote.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
I have in-depth conversations with my community frequently through knocking on doors, town halls, and coffee with a candidate event. I believe direct relational organizing is key to uniting Americans.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
As a former community organizer and journalist, I bring a unique perspective and work in a co-governance structure with my community that ensures those most impacted by the policies we pass have a seat at the decision-making table.

What is your motto in life?
All the power to all the people.

Where can we find out more about you? ortizforaz.com

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