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David Redkey
David Redkey (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Arizona's 1st Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on August 4, 2026.[source]
Redkey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
David Redkey was born in Bloomington, Indiana. He attended Sunnyslope High School, earned an associate degree from Glendale Community College in 2014, a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in 2016, a master's degree from Arizona State University in 2019, and a graduate certificate from Northern Arizona University in 2023. His career experience includes working in advocacy.[1][2]
Elections
2026
See also: Arizona's 1st Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on August 4, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 1
The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 1 on August 4, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Brian Del Vecchio | |
 | Marlene Galán-Woods | |
 | Mark Robert Gordon | |
 | Rick McCartney  | |
 | David Redkey | |
 | Amish Shah | |
 | Jonathan Treble | |
| ||||
| = 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 U.S. House Arizona District 1
Incumbent David Schweikert and Derrick Gallego are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 1 on August 4, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | David Schweikert | |
 | Derrick Gallego | |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Redkey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Redkey's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am David Wayne Redkey, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. I am a public-school teacher, small business owner, and disability advocate who is running for Congress to fight corruption, restore accountability in our courts, and strengthen the working and middle classes. My campaign — centered on what I call “Foundational Economics” — focuses on practical reforms that improve everyday economic security for families in Arizona.
I earned an Associate of Arts (2014), concurrent B.A. degrees in English and Communication from Arizona State University (2016, summa cum laude), a Master of Education in Secondary Education (2019), and a Graduate Certificate in Rhetoric, Writing, and Digital Media Studies (2023). I have worked in education and public service and run TBI Writer LLC. My experience navigating the Arizona probate system after a debilitating injury led me to become an outspoken advocate for conservatorship reform and greater judicial transparency. I serve as director of Clean Up Our Courts Arizona and have made reforming private conservatorship practice a central element of my platform.
Top priorities:
End the private, for-profit conservatorship system and create stronger protections for vulnerable Arizonans; promote transparency and return misused funds to families.
Advance “Foundational Economics” policies that strengthen wages, reduce predatory financial practices, and expand economic opportunity for working families.
Increase accountability and transparency in government and the courts, including stronger oversight of fiduciaries and lawyers who serve vulnerable people.
Support practical, classroom-focused education policies that improve outcomes for students and equip teachers which strengthen family choice without sacrificing the tools for public educators.
Protect individual rights and access to essential healthcare while pursuing common-sense, evidence-based reforms -- such as universal healthcare.
I live in Arizona with my wife, Agatha, and our son. I’m running to turn courtroom experience into common sense policy that protects families, restores trust, and creates opportunity across AZ-1.
- Foundational Economics: Our economy doesn’t grow from the top down — it grows from the middle out. I’m running to put working families first: the teachers, nurses, veterans, small business owners, and laborers who are the foundation of this country. For too long, billionaires and corporate lobbyists have rigged the system. I will fight for a living wage, real labor rights, quality public schools, and healthcare that doesn’t bankrupt you — because when the foundation is strong, America stands tall.
- Every child deserves a strong public school — no matter their zip code. I will fight to fund public schools equitably, end patchwork funding, and pay teachers what they’re worth. I support a statewide salary schedule so great educators don’t have to "school shop" for better pay. Education thrives on consistency — and good teachers should be able to stay and build strong schools in every Arizona community. I’ll also push to make trade schools and community colleges tuition-free, so every student has a pathway to success.
- Families should build wealth, not lose it to rigged systems. I’ll close tax loopholes for billionaires and corporations that offshore profits — and instead reward companies that hire American workers. I’ll expand the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and help first-time homebuyers achieve the American Dream. But I’ll also fight to end abusive conservatorships and probate cartels that prey on families. If the state takes away a person’s rights, it should pay the cost — not the family’s estate. No one should be exploited just for growing old or surviving an injury.
When I was a student at David Crockett Elementary School in Phoenix, I had the opportunity to attend a special event where Carl Sagan spoke to children from schools across the Valley. It was held at what was then known as America West Arena, now the PHX Arena.
He was answering questions from young students — making science feel accessible, alive, and deeply human. I was next in line to ask a question, but the session ended just before my turn. It’s a moment that still haunts me. I often think, “If I had just stepped forward sooner, I could have spoken to someone who shaped how millions of people understand our place in the universe.”
Even though I never got to speak with him, that experience shaped me. Sagan taught me that science is not just about facts, but about perspective — about recognizing how small we are, and how precious everything around us is. His example reminds me that public service, like science, must be rooted in truth, compassion, and a responsibility to future generations. I try to carry that spirit in everything I do.
Aristotle believed that leadership requires finding the right balance — the golden mean — between extremes. That principle resonates deeply with me, especially in today’s polarized environment. A representative must balance courage with humility, action with reflection, and loyalty to constituents with service to the common good. It is not enough to have good intentions. One must cultivate the habits and character traits that support fairness, wisdom, and civic responsibility.
The Nicomachean Ethics also teaches that we are social beings, that we achieve our highest potential not in isolation but through relationships, community, and shared purpose. I carry that belief into my campaign and my policy vision. My platform — Foundation Economics — is rooted in the idea that our democracy and economy must serve people first. It means investing in families, teachers, small businesses, and workers. We should not just try to stimulate GDP; we must foster a more just, thriving society.
So much of today’s politics rewards spectacle over substance, cruelty over compassion, and short-term gain over long-term good. But Aristotle reminds us that ethics is about action, habit, and character. A good society requires good leaders, and good leaders must strive toward the virtues that strengthen the community as a whole.
As a former public school teacher, I didn't have a team of lobbyists pushing my agenda and neither do most Arizonans. That's exactly who I fight for. The role of a representative is not to climb a ladder or build a brand. No, it's to strengthen the foundation of our country: the working and middle class.
I call this approach Foundation Economics — the idea that if we don't invest in the people who build, teach, care, grow, serve, and protect, then the entire system is vulnerable. As I often say: "It doesn’t matter if the house has the best roof in the world... If the foundation is crumbling, the house will fall."
I am not a career politician. I’m a certified teacher, a husband, a father, and an advocate for families who have been harmed by the very systems meant to protect them. I’ve lived through the injustice of conservatorship abuse, seen family wealth drained by court-appointed professionals, and witnessed a legal system that rewards silence and punishes truth. But instead of walking away, I stood up. I’ve filed motions, exposed corruption, worked for reform, and launched a grassroots campaign to give people a voice. This isn’t a platform built on theory—it’s built on survival and service.
As a teacher, I know how to communicate with clarity and compassion. I’ve taught hundreds of students, helping them understand complex topics and build confidence in themselves. That same skill guides how I engage with voters and advocate for foundational economics, public education, and government transparency. I speak plainly and boldly, because the truth should never be buried under political spin. I know how to listen, how to lead, and how to stand my ground.
I am also resilient. For nearly two decades, I’ve challenged institutions with no political protection and no corporate funding behind me. I’ve stood alone in rooms where everyone else had power or paychecks at stake. I’ve taken that fight to the courts, the public, and the ballot. I’ve told my story to media, filed bar complaints, launched petitions, and used every tool available—from legal briefs to TikTok—to expose injustice.
Next, a representative must write and support legislation that directly improves the lives of the people they serve. That includes fighting for fair wages, affordable healthcare, accessible housing, strong public schools, and safe communities. Legislation should reflect the needs and values of everyday Arizonans, not the demands of corporate donors or political elites. I believe in what I call Foundation Economics — strengthening the working and middle class by building policy from the bottom up, not the top down.
A representative must also secure federal funding and resources for their district. Whether it is infrastructure, broadband, water security, or educational investment, our district deserves its fair share, and someone who will fight to bring it home.
Oversight is another critical duty. Congress is entrusted with checking waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Oversight should be aggressive, honest, and based on facts, not political theater or headlines. This includes protecting the public interest in areas like veterans’ services, Social Security, Medicare, and federal contracts.
Finally, communication is key. A representative must explain votes, policy positions, and updates in clear, plain language. Constituents should never feel like they are being left in the dark. Transparency is how trust is earned.
I came back. I earned multiple college degrees, including graduate-level education. I went from someone some dismissed as broken to someone who won awards in forensics, excelled in competitive speech and debate, published poetry, and became a certified teacher serving students from low-income communities. All the while, the court claimed I was “incapacitated” as probate professionals drained nearly a million dollars from my estate. I kept fighting—teaching, mentoring, advocating, and using every platform I could to speak for the voiceless. Through it all, I never forgot where I came from or who I fight for.
I hope my legacy is one of fearless advocacy and lasting reform. I want to be remembered as someone who exposed abuse in conservatorships and guardianships, who held corrupt actors accountable, and who helped protect what families have worked so hard to build. I want to help build a system where people are not punished for being vulnerable, where transparency is the standard, and where justice is not reserved for the wealthy.
What struck me most was how everyone around me reacted — teachers, neighbors, and relatives were glued to their TVs. It was the first moment I realized that events far away could impact people everywhere, including my own family and community. That early awareness shaped my sense of responsibility and curiosity about world events, justice, and the role of government in people’s lives.
For more than a decade, I lived under court control, labeled incapacitated by a system that refused to acknowledge reality. During that time, I earned multiple college degrees, became a certified teacher, published poetry, won awards in forensics and debate, and worked full time. Meanwhile, the Probate Court of Maricopa County allowed professionals to drain nearly a million dollars from my estate. These weren’t isolated mistakes. They were systematic extractions of generational wealth, protected by silence, privilege, and lack of oversight.
The deeper struggle was psychological. I was forced to prove, over and over, that I was capable — while others profited from the presumption that I wasn’t. I had to become my own advocate, researcher, and eventually a candidate for public office. Through it all, I discovered a strength I didn’t know I had and a mission I never expected.
The Constitution grants the House the sole authority to originate revenue bills, placing it at the center of all budget and tax legislation. That is not just a procedural rule. It reflects the principle that decisions about how public money is raised and spent should begin with the chamber closest to the people. The power of the purse is a foundational duty in our democracy and allows the House to lead on issues such as infrastructure, public education, health care, and veterans’ services.
The House also plays a critical role in government oversight. It has the power to investigate agencies, subpoena witnesses, and uncover waste, fraud, or abuse of power. This oversight authority must be exercised with integrity. It should serve the public interest, not political gamesmanship. The House also holds the unique power to impeach federal officials, making it a vital safeguard within the system of checks and balances.
I did not come from a political dynasty or corporate boardroom. I come from a place where I had to fight just to be heard. My battle against corruption in Arizona’s probate and conservatorship system has exposed me to a level of misconduct and institutional failure that most people could never imagine — and many would prefer to ignore. I have seen firsthand how powerful interests use legal systems to silence dissent, drain family wealth, and avoid accountability. And I have refused to back down.
That experience has shaped not only my campaign, but my entire view of public service. I understand how government can feel distant or even dangerous to people who have been ignored, exploited, or betrayed by it. That is why I believe Congress should include more people who have lived through the consequences of public policy — not just those who have written it from a distance.
Frequent elections may seem demanding, but they are a vital mechanism for preserving trust and democratic legitimacy. When people feel unheard or neglected by their elected officials, they should not have to wait six years to make a change. The two-year term ensures that citizens can regularly reassess whether their representative is truly working on their behalf.
However, I also believe Congress must adapt its calendar to reflect this responsibility more effectively. Too often, the legislative schedule prioritizes fundraising and partisan maneuvering over listening and legislating. I support implementing a more balanced and transparent congressional calendar that includes guaranteed constituent weeks built into each session. These dedicated weeks would ensure that representatives spend meaningful time in their districts, holding town halls, visiting schools and businesses, meeting with local leaders, and staying grounded in the realities of the people they serve.
Public service should not be a remote operation. It should be visible, local, and engaged. With a structured calendar and term limits on congressional leadership, the two-year term can be a tool for responsive government rather than an excuse for perpetual campaigning.
As for term limits for members of Congress, I am open to a reasonable, well-structured system — but only if it is paired with strict lobbying bans and stronger institutional support. Without those safeguards, term limits can actually increase the influence of special interests. When elected officials are quickly cycled out without experienced, independent staff or proper training, corporate lobbyists and entrenched bureaucrats often step in to fill the gap. That is not reform. That is trading one problem for another.
To prevent this, we need nonpartisan congressional staff who serve the public good, not party agendas. We also need required ethics training, public transparency, and a lifetime ban on lobbying for former members of Congress. It is not enough to rotate people through office; we must also close the revolving door that lets them profit from their public service afterward.
More fundamentally, I believe Congress should be a reflection of the society upon which it is built. Right now, it too often reflects wealth, status, and connections instead of lived experience. We need more teachers, nurses, farmers, veterans, caregivers, and small business owners in Congress because the people who understand what it means to live paycheck to paycheck, raise a family, and deal with systems that don’t always work. A government truly of, by, and for the people requires leadership that looks like the people.
Mo Udall was a towering figure in Arizona politics, not because he sought the spotlight, but because he earned widespread respect. He had a sharp mind, a quick wit, and a reputation for honesty that stood out even in his time. He championed Native American rights, environmental protection, and campaign finance reform long before these became mainstream priorities. He was unafraid to challenge his own party and lead with principle. Most of all, he showed that you could be serious about values without being self-important. He was a true public servant — pragmatic, humble, and focused on progress.
I also respect what Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brings to Congress. She rose from working-class roots and won office without corporate backing. Like her, I was not born into wealth or privilege. I understand what it means to fight systems built to serve the powerful. She has pushed important issues like climate justice, student debt relief, and fair wages into the national spotlight. Even under fierce scrutiny, she speaks clearly, leads boldly, and remains accountable to the people who sent her there.
Mr. Chalmers worked hard, saved diligently, and built a retirement for himself. But after being placed under court control, hundreds of thousands of dollars from his estate were drained by probate professionals. These were not minor bookkeeping errors. These were systematic and egregious extractions of wealth by individuals who operated with almost no oversight or consequence.
The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, recognized the injustice. In case number 1 CA-CV 22-0429, the court ruled that the professionals could not keep the money because they had failed to follow the law. That decision gave hope to many families across Arizona — that maybe, finally, accountability was possible.
But that hope was short-lived. When the case reached the Arizona Supreme Court under CV-23-0263-PR, the Court reversed course. They ruled that the mandatory protections in A.R.S. § 14-5109 were not automatic. In their view, the courts only needed to intervene if the protected person — the one under guardianship or conservatorship — raised the issue themselves. That reasoning ignored the obvious: a person stripped of their legal rights often cannot advocate for themselves.
Compromise becomes desirable when it leads to real progress that improves people’s lives — safer communities, better schools, lower costs, and stronger protections for workers and families. We need leaders who are willing to collaborate and listen, not just shout across the aisle or play to a cable news audience. In a divided nation, refusing to compromise can result in gridlock, dysfunction, or worse, the erosion of democracy itself. But compromise must always be grounded in purpose and principle, not convenience or careerism.
There are lines I will not cross. I will not compromise on voting rights, because the right to vote is the foundation of representative democracy. I will not compromise on public education, because every child deserves access to quality learning regardless of their ZIP code. I will not compromise on anti-corruption efforts, because trust in government cannot survive without accountability. And I will not compromise on due process, because justice must never be optional or conditional.
My top revenue priorities would include expanding the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, two of the most effective tools we have for lifting families out of poverty and strengthening the financial foundation for working parents. I would also propose major reforms to close offshore tax loopholes and stock buyback incentives that allow corporations to hoard profits without investing in workers or innovation.
I would introduce legislation that rewards companies that hire and train American workers with meaningful tax incentives, while significantly raising the corporate tax burden on those that offshore jobs, rely heavily on automation to replace workers, or profit from artificial intelligence without reinvesting in the human workforce. Corporations should not be rewarded for cutting jobs and replacing people with machines. If a company lays off American workers to pad executive bonuses or avoid paying fair wages, they should pay more — not less — in taxes.
While President Trump used tariffs that ultimately raised prices on American consumers, I would instead shift the burden where it belongs: onto corporations that exploit loopholes and displace American workers. We need a revenue system that reflects our values. One that says, if you build here, hire here, and train here — we will support you. But if you undermine American labor, we will make sure the tax code no longer shields you.
If elected, I would support using investigative authority to confront problems that affect everyday Americans. This includes pharmaceutical and hospital systems that exploit patients with hidden fees and inflated billing, as well as defense contractors who overcharge taxpayers while delivering subpar results. Another area demanding attention is the probate and guardianship system. These courts have stripped thousands of individuals of their rights, assets, and dignity. In many cases, court-appointed professionals charge excessive fees while providing little or no benefit. Some even use these funds for lavish vacations while those they claim to protect are left isolated and overmedicated. These abuses inspired the Netflix film "I Care a Lot," which, though dramatized, reflects real systemic problems.
Oversight & Accountability (end waste and abuse)
Financial Services (family finance, banking fairness)
Judiciary (civil rights; due process, including guardianship issues)
Natural Resources (water security for Arizona)
I support a full ban on individual stock trading by members of Congress and their immediate families. No elected official should personally profit from the legislation they write or the oversight they conduct. Members of Congress should be required to place their assets in blind trusts and face real penalties for violations.
I also support real-time online disclosures of congressional meetings, travel paid for by outside groups, and the earmarks inserted into legislation. If taxpayers are footing the bill, they deserve to know how decisions are being made and who is influencing them.
Government accountability requires more than transparency. It requires strong whistleblower protections, proper funding for inspectors general, and enforcement of ethics rules across the board. Oversight should be thorough and fact-based. It should be focused on rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, not generating political soundbites.
I am especially committed to oversight of systems that often escape scrutiny, including the probate courts and conservatorship and guardianship industries. Too many families have been exploited because no one was watching and no one was held accountable. I have lived through that system and seen firsthand how easily it can be abused.
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Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
