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Benjamin Carmitchel
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Benjamin Carmitchel (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Arizona State Senate to represent District 16. Carmitchel lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Carmitchel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
- See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Arizona State Senate District 16
Incumbent David Farnsworth defeated Benjamin Carmitchel in the general election for Arizona State Senate District 16 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | David Farnsworth (R)  | 61.4 | 51,406 |
 | Benjamin Carmitchel (D) | 38.6 | 32,261 | |
| Total votes: 83,667 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 16
Benjamin Carmitchel advanced from the Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 16 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Benjamin Carmitchel | 100.0 | 11,785 |
| Total votes: 11,785 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 16
Incumbent David Farnsworth defeated Michael Hernandez in the Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 16 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Farnsworth | 75.8 | 19,399 |
 | Michael Hernandez | 24.2 | 6,184 | |
| Total votes: 25,583 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Benjamin Carmitchel participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on September 10, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Benjamin Carmitchel's responses follow below.[1]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | My top three priorities are education, environment (including the water shortage) and our local economy.[2][3] | ” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | I feel that our public education system is the cornerstone of our economy, after all, it represents over half of the state's budget. The commercialization of our education system has deteriorated the quality of education in Arizona, and has resulted in a lower overall quality of life for many Arizona communities.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[3]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Benjamin Carmitchel answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?
| “ | Fred Rogers was an inspirational philanthropist who stood up for the most vulnerable -our children. He dedicated his life to teaching children through public television and I believe he will be remembered as a true hero. I look up to our forefathers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in particular, in their role in shaping our great country.[3] | ” |
| “ | The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Set during the Great Depression, the novel focuses on a poor family of that was driven from their Oklahoma home by drought and economic hardship -an example of what can happen without strong leadership.[3] | ” |
| “ | Philanthropy. A true and selfless concern for others.[3] | ” |
| “ | As a small business owner, parent and activist, I’m uniquely qualified to represent the voters of the 16th District. I graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and an Associates degree in electronics. Shortly thereafter, I started a one-man small business. Through 20 years of hard work and persistence, my business enjoyed strong growth, and now has locations in the US and Canada. With this experience, I understand how to create business-friendly policies that provide incentives for innovation without providing unfair corporate tax breaks, and I’m dedicated to bringing high-paying jobs to Arizona. I'm also the son of two lifetime educators, who've instilled the importance of public education to my values.[3] | ” |
| “ | To represent the people of Arizona and the people of my district.[3] | ” |
| “ | One of true philanthropy. I want not a single person to believe that I did this for myself. This is one of the reasons that I've pledged my State Senate salary to the public schools of Arizona.[3] | ” |
| “ | When I met candidate Bill Clinton in 1992. I met him twice actually, and he remembered my name. The first time, I just shook his hand...it was such an inspiration, that I jumped back in line to shake his hand again. He said to me "How are you Ben?" Others say that he may have actually said "How have you been?," but that's not how I remember it.[3] | ” |
| “ | I worked for a lady across the street. I took care of her massive lawn, pool, and barn area. It's where I learned that I wanted to work for myself. Later, when I worked in a factory, I realized the difference. This is why I started a small business right out of college.[3] | ” |
| “ | For a short time, I dated a girl named Joelle, who I admired not only for her looks, but her intelligence and ambition. Our very first kiss was in a driveway, where I was dropping her off in my Plymouth Champ, which happened to be a stick-shift (manual transmission). I was taken by surprise with her advancement as I held down the clutch. At some point, my foot slipped off the clutch, which led to an awkward and abrupt end to an otherwise wonderful evening. Fortunately everyone was OK.[3] | ” |
| “ | Without question, the 4th of July. I can't explain why, but it's not just because I love fireworks.[3] | ” |
| “ | Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.[3] | ” |
| “ | Bugs Bunny. Because he outwits everyone he encounters.[3] | ” |
| “ | My wife and children, because they make me who I am.[3] | ” |
| “ | Baby shark. It's the most repetitive and annoying song you'll ever hear. It was made for toddlers. If you look it up on YouTube, you will forever regret it.[3] | ” |
| “ | When I divorced my first wife. The pain and suffering that it caused lasts to this day, for both myself and my children. I'll never forgive myself for letting that happen.[3] | ” |
| “ | There is very little difference in my opinion. Both can introduce legislation. It really depends on which party controls the house or senate.[3] | ” |
| “ | No.[3] | ” |
| “ | Our education system is on the brink of collapse. We have a water shortage that could become a catastrophe. We do have good roads, though.[3] | ” |
| “ | Being able to work together is always the best type of relationship.[3] | ” |
| “ | Absolutely. Working together will accomplish the best results.[3] | ” |
| “ | Arizona does not have a gerrymandering problem at a state level.[3] | ” |
| “ | Education committee[3] | ” |
| “ | N/A[3] | ” |
| “ | N/A[3] | ” |
| “ | No.[3] | ” |
| “ | Yes, US Senate.[3] | ” |
| “ | N/A[3] | ” |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Benjamin Carmitchel's responses," September 10, 2018
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
Current members of the Arizona State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Warren Petersen
Majority Leader:Janae Shamp
Minority Leader:Priya Sundareshan
Senators
District 1
Mark Finchem (R)
District 2
Shawnna Bolick (R)
District 3
John Kavanagh (R)
District 4
Carine Werner (R)
District 5
Lela Alston (D)
District 6
District 7
Wendy Rogers (R)
District 8
Lauren Kuby (D)
District 9
Kiana Sears (D)
District 10
David Farnsworth (R)
District 11
District 12
Denise Epstein (D)
District 13
Javan Mesnard (R)
District 14
Warren Petersen (R)
District 15
Jake Hoffman (R)
District 16
Thomas Shope (R)
District 17
Vince Leach (R)
District 18
District 19
David Gowan (R)
District 20
Sally Gonzales (D)
District 21
Rosanna Gabaldón (D)
District 22
Eva Diaz (D)
District 23
Brian Fernandez (D)
District 24
Analise Ortiz (D)
District 25
Tim Dunn (R)
District 26
Flavio Bravo (D)
District 27
Kevin Payne (R)
District 28
Frank Carroll (R)
District 29
Janae Shamp (R)
District 30
Hildy Angius (R)
Republican Party (17)
Democratic Party (13)
