Michael Irish

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Michael Irish

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Brophy College Preparatory

Bachelor's

University of Arizona, 2007

Law

Phoenix School of Law, 2011

Personal

Birthplace

Phoenix, Ariz.

Profession

Lawyer

Contact

Campaign website

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Michael Irish (Republican Party) ran for election for the Moon Valley Precinct judge of the Maricopa County Justice Court in Arizona. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Irish completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michael Irish was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He earned a high school diploma from the Brophy College Preparatory, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona in 2007, and a J.D. from the Phoenix School of Law in 2011. His career experience includes working as a lawyer. Irish has been affiliated with the Lions Club International, Certified Mediators of Arizona, Sports Lawyers Association, State Bar of Arizona, and Harvard University.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Maricopa County, Arizona (2024)

General election

General election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct

Mireya Arroyo defeated Michael Irish in the general election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mireya Arroyo (D)	54.7	19,620
		Michael Irish (R)	45.1	16,178
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	55

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,853
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct

Mireya Arroyo defeated incumbent Deborah Begay in the Democratic primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on July 30, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mireya Arroyo	57.2	3,645
		Deborah Begay	42.6	2,716
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	16

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,377
= 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 Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct

Michael Irish advanced from the Republican primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on July 30, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Irish	99.0	5,647
		Other/Write-in votes	1.0	57

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,704
= 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

To view Irish's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Irish in this election.

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Maricopa County, Arizona (2020)

General election

General election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct

Deborah Begay defeated Michael Irish in the general election for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Deborah Begay (D)	54.0	24,395
		Michael Irish (R)	45.9	20,747
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	66

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,208
= 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 Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct

Deborah Begay defeated incumbent Andrew Hettinger in the Democratic primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Deborah Begay	71.0	6,969
	Submit photo	Andrew Hettinger	29.0	2,841

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,810
= 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 Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct

Michael Irish defeated Kimberly Kay Fisher and Josh Culling in the Republican primary for Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Irish	50.5	4,212
		Kimberly Kay Fisher	25.2	2,101
	Submit photo	Josh Culling	24.3	2,029

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,342
= 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

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michael Irish completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Irish's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I've proudly called Moon Valley home for 39+ years. I didn't just grow up in Moon Valley; I grew up with it. I know the streets, people, and issues that matter to us. My community roots run deep, from MV Park, where I played, to the MVNA meetings I attend at MVCC. This personal connection drives my commitment to serving as Justice of the Peace. As an attorney with 13 years of experience and certified mediator, I have the background to understand and address our community's unique challenges and opportunities. I am ready to represent, serve, and unite the community better than any other candidate. My legal background is not just a profession but a commitment to community service. That passion for community led to my role as a club president with Lions Club International, a group dedicated to improving health, well-being, and supporting those in need. My unique legal expertise, which includes handling a wide range of issues heard by the JoP in the justice court (evictions and contract disputes), is a testament to my dedication. I am the only licensed attorney running for this judicial position. My unique qualifications and experience, designed to instill confidence in my ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge, will ensure that I can serve the community effectively and fairly. With this experience I will be able to ensure that every case is handled with the utmost fairness and integrity, upholding the law and serving the best interests of the community.

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?

• First, as an attorney and licensed mediator, I have spent my entire career dealing with conflicts, gaining a deep understanding of the law and the ability to be fair and impartial in all matters.
• Second, I pledge to uphold Arizona law with unwavering impartiality, as any judge should, ensuring that every case is handled fairly, with integrity, and a deep understanding of legal principles.
• Lastly, my extensive qualifications and experience, which no other candidate has, instill confidence in my ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge. I want to be known as a judge who upholds the law correctly and with unbiased integrity, ensuring that every decision is fair and consistent. My commitment to upholding the law is unwavering. I aim to provide voters with security and protection, knowing their rights and interests will be upheld in the justice system. I will ensure that each case is judged fairly and ethically and that the law is upheld without bias or favoritism. This commitment to justice is at the core of my campaign and will guide my actions as Justice of the Peace.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a practicing lawyer, I am passionate about the law and its impact on individuals, communities, and organizations. Laws create societal order, assist in resolving disputes, and create a peaceful society. The justice system hears disputes, analyzes and interprets the rules governing those scenarios, and applies the law to each unique circumstance to find a solution.

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

The Justice of the Peace presides over the small claims, justice, and criminal misdemeanor courts. The Justice of the Peace hears civil cases, small claims, evictions, criminal misdemeanors, and civil traffic cases and grants orders of protection while having the power to marry individuals. The only 'qualifications' for a Justice of the Peace are that one is 18 and can read and write English. However, having a legal background should be required. A courtroom judge should have experience practicing law to preside over the court competently. The most important characteristics of a judge are knowledge and respect of the law, impartiality, integrity, rationality, reasonableness, fairness, and patience. I am committed to bringing these qualities to the Justice of the Peace role, ensuring that every case is treated with the utmost fairness and respect for the law.

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

Maintaining knowledge and respect of the law, impartiality, integrity, rationality, reasonableness, fairness, and patience.

What legacy would you like to leave?

In a judicial capacity, I would like to be remembered as a judge who upheld the law correctly and with unbiased integrity. That every decision was fair and consistent and that case was heard fairly and ethically and that the law was upheld without bias or favoritism.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

I am a member of the State Bar of Arizona, however there is no rating system for its members.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?

It should be required that a judge have a law license.

Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?

Yes. The Superior Court of Arizona would be the next step, and potentially upwards from there. Maybe even someday the Supreme Court of Arizona or the United States of America.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

In my 2020 campaign, I received endorsements from various high-level officials, other candidates, and organizations. However, I've learned that endorsements, while appreciated, don't mean much. Endorsements should not overshadow the merit-based selection of a judge because all people within the same political party will endorse one another, making such endorsements utterly useless. A judicial officer should transcend partisan politics and be selected based on merit, educational (legal) qualifications, and the ability to serve impartially. I am committed to demonstrating my competence and commitment to Justice, which is more important than any 'party' support.

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.

2020

Michael Irish completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Irish's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Michael is a native Arizonan, born and raised in Phoenix since 1985, in addition to being all-Arizona educated. After attending Lookout Mountain Elementary and Mountain Sky Junior High right here in Moon Valley, Michael then ventured downtown to Brophy College Prep for High School, graduating with honors in 2003.

With the exception of time down at the University of Arizona, Michael is a life-long Moon Valley resident. After college, Michael came home to Moon Valley where he attended law school at the Phoenix School of Law, graduating in May 2011 and passing the July 2011 bar exam.

Practicing law since 2011 within the real estate and business realm, Michael is looking for a new challenge and has decided to act upon his long desire to become a judge, and thus this campaign for Justice of the Peace - Moon Valley.

Inspired by his mother's philanthropic endeavors, Michael has been looking for ways to give back to his community. By serving as the Justice of the Peace for Moon Valley, Michael can aid the community by ensuring that the court is competent while also having legal experience to understand, interpret and apply the laws of the great State of Arizona. ​

Michael is a natural leader and strives to be one within the community, believing he can serve the people of Moon Valley to ensure all parties can be fairly heard while exercising their constitutional rights. Mr. Irish is, and always has been, a proud member of the Republican Party. A vote for Irish

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?

• I am the only attorney running and easily the most QUALIFIED candidate, with 9 years as a practicing real estate and business lawyer
• Legal experience will ensure a competent court while also capable to understand, interpret and apply the laws of the great State of Arizona.
• Natural leader can serve the people of Moon Valley to ensure all parties can be fairly heard while exercising their constitutional rights

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Republicans! Properly interpreting the laws that exist on record!

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

People who pave their own way. There is nothing wrong with working hard/smart for something you want and relishing that accomplishment/success.

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

I was just under 2 years old, it is the first memory I have...May 19, 1987...when my sister was born and my grandmother (who appeared to be 8 feet tall) told me in the kitchen while making breakfast.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

It is the judge of a court. There is no requirement that the elected JOP be an attorney, however it is highly recommended. The JOP presides over the court, which oversees justice court and criminal misdemeanor court cases with attorneys making varying motions that someone with proper legal experience should be handling.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

Read, analyze, interpret, apply.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

There is no "emotion" in the analysis of the law.

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I would like to be a judge. I feel I am neutral and unbiased and would serve the court well.

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.

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

Maricopa County Justice of the Peace Moon Valley Precinct

Website

Personal

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LinkedIn

Footnotes

Arizona courts

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Federal courts:

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Arizona • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Arizona

State courts:

Arizona Supreme Court • Arizona Court of Appeals • Arizona Superior Court • Arizona Justice Courts • Arizona Municipal Courts

State resources:

Courts in Arizona • Arizona judicial elections • Judicial selection in Arizona