Arizona State Senate District 3 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Arizona, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Arizona State Senate District 3 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Arizona State Senate District 3

John Kavanagh defeated Thomas Dugger in the general election for Arizona State Senate District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John Kavanagh (R)	63.2	84,365
		Thomas Dugger (D)	36.8	49,145

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 133,510
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Address the Water crisis

Increase funding for schools

Protect bodily Autonomy

John Kavanagh (R)

America’s southern border is under attack aided by the complacency or, perhaps, the support of the Biden administration. Millions of illegal aliens are crossing our border. One of the prime motives for my running for the legislature in 2005 was to stop the illegal immigration onslaught we were experiencing then. I am proud to say that I was a co-author and cosponsor of SB1070, Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law. Today, I continue the fight and have pushed for and will get over half a billion dollars in budgetary expenditures for more border security and more border wall. My opponent has no experience in this area.

While Arizona does a good job of educating our children, district and charter schools are still suffering from the budget cuts we were forced to make during the great recession. While we have restored almost all of those cuts, our schools still could use some additional funding, which I support. I also support the expansion of school choice because students and parents should be allowed to select the best educational option available.

Arizona is getting deeper and deeper into a water crisis and we need to take action now before draconian measures are necessary later to deal with shortages. I support the appropriation that we will be making two bowls find new out-of-state sauces for water, advanced conservation measures within the state, and place pumping restrictions in aquifers that are suffering depletion.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Thomas Dugger (D)

I really would like to return sanity and common sense to Arizona legislature. Millions of dollars are being spent on political grandstanding, and billions on tax cuts for the rich. We need to address our water issues proactively instead of reactively, invest more in our schools to attract high-paying jobs and companies, and protect bodily autonomy.

John Kavanagh (R)

I am passionate in many areas of public service. Having spent all 16 years of my legislative time as a member of the appropriations committee, many times as its chairman, I am especially interested in the budget. I have acquired great knowledge in this area and hope to continue serving and using that knowledge to produce fiscally sound and conservative budgets.

I am also a champion of humane animal legislation. I am the only legislator to have been awarded the United States Humane Societies "Legislator of the Year" award three times. I have written and passed into law many humane animal bills and hope to continue this mission in the future.

As a retired police officer and a person with a PhD in criminal justice, I also pay attention to criminal justice issues. I am often troubled by the criminal justice reform measures that can go too far and threaten public safety. I hope to be retained in the legislature so that I can continue to keep a close eye on them to protect public safety. While some prisoners can safely be released from prison, others have no place back in society where they will victimize us.

Our nation and our state are in trouble times. Liberal Democrats control Washington, much of the media, much of our educational institutions and they pose a threat to our lifestyle, culture, economy and safety. Now is not the time to entrust lawmaking to inexperienced first timers. Experience counts.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Thomas Dugger (D)

I look up to my father, he is my mentor in both business and in life. For example, he had two weeks vacation, and instead of going on a fancy trip, he spent the time helping AIDS patients in Jamaica.

John Kavanagh (R)

Politically, I look up to Ronald Reagan who I believe held sound conservative beliefs, was a great communicator, and a decent person.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Thomas Dugger (D)

"America is not the greatest country in the world anymore" - The Newsroom 2012

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Honesty, Integrity, and understanding Businesses, Budgets, and the word of the people.

John Kavanagh (R)

The two characteristics that are best would be knowledge and honesty. In terms of principles, because I am a conservative I would obviously say the conservative principles of limited government, free enterprise, individual freedom and pro-life.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Thomas Dugger (D)

I am an expert negotiator and I understand finance, technology, and science.

John Kavanagh (R)

I am intelligent, honest, easy-going, transparent and committed. I also have a good sense of humor.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Thomas Dugger (D)

To ensure that our senate does not continue corrupt and unethical policies.

John Kavanagh (R)

To be true to the principles that he or she told the voters who elected him or her. A legislator also has a responsibility to be well researched in the bills that they vote on and transparent and communicative with their constituents. I meet with everyone who asks.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Fixing our schools and addressing the water issues.

John Kavanagh (R)

I would like people to say that I sponsored good bills, voted for good laws and opposed bad legislation.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Thomas Dugger (D)

I remember the 200th anniversary of our country in 1976 when I was 6, there was a huge fireworks display in the town of Morris Plains, NJ.

John Kavanagh (R)

I was 10 years old and sitting at my desk in elementary school when the loudspeaker in the front of the room came on with the radio coverage of the assassination of John F Kennedy.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Programmer/Analyst in New York City. I worked for Pinkerton Computer Consultants for 6 years.

John Kavanagh (R)

I was a paperboy in New York City and I did it for several years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Thomas Dugger (D)

"Salem's Lot" by Stephen King. I love scary stories.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Reacher from the new Amazon series. Not the Tom Cruise version.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Thomas Dugger (D)

"The Pot" by Tool. It is about government hypocrisy.

John Kavanagh (R)

Uptown Girl

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Thomas Dugger (D)

I was at the Trade Center on 9/11 and still have issues from all the dust I breathed in. I have been in two terrorist attacks and one plane crash.

John Kavanagh (R)

I have been blessed not to have been confronted with any excessive burdens that amount to a struggle.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Thomas Dugger (D)

The governor should work for the good of all citizens, keeping partisan politics out of their decision making process. Sadly, this no longer happens in our country. The governor should work with both parties to make compromises. In Arizona, our governor only meets with Republicans and totally ignores Democrats - Despite Democrats being the majority of the population.

John Kavanagh (R)

I believe that the ideal relationship is one of communications and mutual respect. I believe that communications prior to passing bills is a good thing because then vetos can be avoided because problems can be dealt with before the bills are transmitted to the governor.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Declaring a state of emergency with our water shortage. Instead of proactive measures, the Republicans only look to line the pockets of their corporate masters, and are leaving the entire agriculture business on the verge of ruin. Landowners must be protected by converting their land to Solar Fields to ensure their investments are not drained away as water restrictions are increased. In Pinal county, many farmers are making more from their solar fields than they were from agriculture. This model must be replicated on a large scale.

John Kavanagh (R)

Without a doubt, water. Arizona is in the midst of a severe drought and some of the aquifers are being dangerously depleted. While most of the negative impacts will be on farming, some will spill over into business and residential uses, if the situation gets bad enough.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Having a senate and house of representatives is an additional "checks and balances" that a unicameral system would have. Only Nebraska has a single chamber in the United States. This drawback is that in a highly politicized environment nothing gets done. All legislation should be done with a 60% majority so that the people are represented. Currently, with gerrymandering, the minority controls the state legislature and the majority are no longer represented. New Zealand is a great example of a well-functioning unicameral legislature.

John Kavanagh (R)

The benefit is that it will be easier to pass legislation out of a legislature. However that is also a major drawback because having two houses requires that there be an additional check and opportunity to correct bills, as problems become apparent. I think two chambers are the best.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Thomas Dugger (D)

It is beneficial that some members have prior experience, however most career politicians are completely detached from real life issues of the people, and only hear the words of their corporate sponsors whispering in their ears.

John Kavanagh (R)

I do. It's nice to say that all it takes is common sense to do this job but that is not true. This job requires extensive knowledge of public policy and governmental procedure. I have been involved in politics since high school. I love public policy and have elective office experience on two town councils and in the state legislature for the last 16 years. However, I have always been employed elsewhere to support my family. I am not a career politician. I am a committed citizen-legislator. I am in effective legislator and I am among a small group that pass a large number of bills into law each year. My experience and knowledge help me do this but I have also become the go to person for people who need laws to protect them, such as persons persecuted by rogue homeowners associations or the humane animal community.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Thomas Dugger (D)

You must build relationships or you will never gain trust. Without trust you will not get support. Unfortunately, we have become so partisan everyone in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches check off boxes based on their party, instead of using their own common sense and values. In today's world, we have an entire party that has been hijacked by someone who lost an election and would rather push for revolution than accept defeat. This is the terrible consequence of ignoring bi-partisanship and giving in to our basest fears and emotions.

John Kavanagh (R)

Absolutely. One of the reasons why I get many of bills past is because I have worked with many of the members in both chambers and have developed relationships with them. They know that I produce quality legislation and they trust me not to lie to them. It's a big plus.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Redistricting should be made by a non-partisan committee based on data analysis to best represent the citizens.

John Kavanagh (R)

While I have problems with the current redistricting situation, I must admit that it is far superior to the traditional one where the party in power gets drawn lines that give them a tremendous undemocratic advantage.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Water, education, budget, and voting security.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

John Kavanagh (R)

I like the appropriations committee because it is very influential. After all, where you spend the money is, in reality, what makes public policy. In addition, I get to influence policy in a manner consistent with my conservative Republican beliefs. I also serve on the public safety committee and as a retired police officer and a person with a PhD in criminal justice this obviously is an area that I have great knowledge of and great interest in.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Thomas Dugger (D)

John McCain

John Kavanagh (R)

While he is best known for his role as the mayor of New York City and was a Democrat and early in his career a liberal one to boot, I do have a great deal of respect for former NYC mayor Ed Koch. In particular, I like the way he was always transparent, frank and honest with people about his reasons for or against different policies. I think people deserve the truth and public policy can best be crafted in an atmosphere where everybody is on the level and not being deceptive.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Possibly

John Kavanagh (R)

No. I am quite happy doing what I do because I do it well and it makes a difference.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

John Kavanagh (R)

I was recently asked to run a bill to make college and other organizational hazing a crime. I'm not talking about juvenile hazing that is not dangerous but serious hazing like making people drink full bottles of alcohol that can kill them. The family I was running the bill for was the family whose son died from being forced to drink too much alcohol as part of hazing and whose body was found by the Mesa Riverwalk area.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Thomas Dugger (D)

Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 8 9.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Thomas Dugger (D)

Emergency powers should be granted by legislature. Legislature should be subject to mandates from the citizens. Government overreach has gotten out of control.

John Kavanagh (R)

I believe that the legislature should share emergency powers with the governor. In fact, I crafted a constitutional amendment to allow that. Putting too much power in one person without any check can be a problem. I think the governor should be allowed to swiftly and act using emergency powers but that the legislature should come in a reasonable time afterwards, say 30 days, and have the ability to either amend or cancel it, with perhaps a 2/3 vote.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Thomas Dugger (D)

This is (or should be) the basis of all politics. Having a 2-party system has made this almost impossible. Our county is suffering from partisan politics while the citizens are ignored. It is all a show for the corporations who write the bills, bribe the politicians, and subvert our democracy.

John Kavanagh (R)

I believe that compromise is necessary, so long as it does not compromise or violate one's firmly held political philosophy.

See also

More about these elections:

• Arizona State Senate elections, 2022

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