Ray Michaels

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

Ray Michaels

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Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Phoenix, Ariz.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Entrepreneur

Contact

Campaign Facebook

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Personal Facebook

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Ray Michaels (Republican Party) ran for election to the Arizona State Senate to represent District 24. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Michaels completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michaels was born on July 29, 1961, in Phoenix, Arizona. He has career experience as an entrepreneur as well as in the cruise, travel, and enetertainment industries. He is affiliated with the Arizona Republican Party, Ballet Arizona, and Scottsdale Bible Church.

Elections

2020

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Arizona State Senate District 24

Incumbent Lela Alston defeated Ray Michaels in the general election for Arizona State Senate District 24 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lela Alston (D)	70.9	66,719
	Submit photo	Ray Michaels (R)	29.1	27,402

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 94,121
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 24

Incumbent Lela Alston defeated Ryan Starzyk in the Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 24 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lela Alston	64.0	18,071
	Submit photo	Ryan Starzyk	36.0	10,169

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 28,240
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 24

Ray Michaels advanced from the Republican primary for Arizona State Senate District 24 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Ray Michaels (Write-in)	100.0	690

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 690
= 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

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ray Michaels completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Michaels' 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.

As a native Phoenician, I am responding to this call to action and bring a renewed energy, focus and leadership back into the state legislature.

As a product of the Scottsdale school system, I have participated in many service organizations, community activities and in school, awarded the Clarence L. Carpenter Award for "Outstanding Youth Senator". I am proud to say that my family has been in the Valley of the Sun since the 1940's and I am a dedicated neighbor, Precinct Committeeman and State Delegate for the Arizona Republican Party 2020. As a Christian Conservative, Constitutional Republican and Business Owner, I will serve my constituents as a Statesman and not Politician. My current focus is Overall Public Safety, Education and a Robust Economy for all Arizonans. Foundational pillars include; Limited Government, States Rights, Balanced Budgets, Community Involvement, Family and Faith Based Values, Individual Rights, Self Sustainability, Quality Health Care, Personal Responsibility and Accountability, Small Business Minded, Environmental Stewardship, Life, Liberty, Freedom, and Child Safety and Welfare. I would be honored to be your voice as I serve as Senator and will work tirelessly to achieve the goals of my constituents'. Please consider helping with your vote and contribution at www.RayMichaels4AZ.com

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?

• Ensure the Governments First Priority - Public Safety
• Education must be a priority and a solid foundation for a Self Governing People.
• Free Market Economy with limited Governmental Regulations

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public Safety - Any Citizen of the United States should feel confident that their Lives, Liberty and Property are protected by their Local, State and Federal Government without fear of threat anywhere they are.

Education - The United States was founded on having a educated populous necessary for self governess. Children must be educated in our founding history, Citizenship and what it means to live in and be a party of the greatest experiment in human history. Most importantly, we must protect our Children from exposure to the wiles of social experimentation and to teach them how to be to be good people and citizens.

Economy - We must allow the creativity and ingenuity of the individual flourish without excessive governmental regulations and barriers. A free market system will allow all citizens to truly live out the American Dream.

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

Jesus, The great men and women of the bible, Our Founding Fathers, my Parents and the men and women who have stood for righteousness.

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

Read the book, "The five thousand year leap".

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

Strong foundational principles. Understanding of our unique governmental system. Patients, Gratitude and Compassion for the people you serve. Truly knowing the entire purpose and limitations of Local, State and Federal Governments.

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

I have traveled the world and have worked with a wide variety of people from many cultures and all aspects of life. I have had numerous careers in many, many fields and am a hands on leader, manager, job creator and inovator.

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

To represent and work tirelessly on behalf of their constituents and to be a Statesman and not a lifetime politician. To put service and limitations over selfishness and unbridled wants and to be in touch with the people you are serving. To listen and act accordingly.

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

The moon landing was my most memorable. July 20, 1969, just a few days before my 8th birthday.

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

My very first job was in the service industry. I have continued to have this type of work for my entire working career working and would like to continue to serve my constituents.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Bible. It is Gods instruction book to man.

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

The Great Leslie from the motion picture, "The Great Race".

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

We're comin' to America

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

Checks and balances. Being the only member of the Senate for my district, there is a great responsibility to seek knowledge and wisdom from as many constituents as possible.

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

Not necessarily. Life experience outside of the political environment will give a much different perspective on how legislation would effect the average Arizonan. As legislators, we must understand that every decision and every piece of legislation we pass, will have longstanding and intimate outcomes.

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

Planning for a large amount of new residents. Proper planning and land use is essential as well as Public Safety, Education and Economy.

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

The governor and state legislature should be working towards the same goal. Making a better state for all Arizonans. This would include building relationships with meetings and updates for new ideas and a path for prosperity for all areas of the state.

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

Yes. Relationships are one of the key aspects of communication, clarity and understanding. I look forward to working will all legislators, in either party, to accomplish great things for my LD.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Fair and equitable. No gerrymandering.

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

I will proudly serve where I am needed.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Yes, I would be open to serve in any capacity that I am needed. Once elected, I will find where I could best serve.

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

One that hold the U.S. and State Constitution as the law of the land.

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

I am running for State Senator to serve my LD and the people of Arizona. This will be my main focus for now. No one knows what the future holds or where God might lead me in the future.

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?

I find many in my district that are surprised and concerned that one person could be in the legislature since 1976. Most agree that term limits were set for a reason. To have new faces and new ideas come into the legislature. Most circumvent the will of the people by switching back and forth from House to Senate. Being a legislator in the State of Arizona should not be a lifetime job.

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

2020 Elections

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Footnotes

[show]

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

Theresa Hatathlie (D)

District 7

Wendy Rogers (R)

District 8

Lauren Kuby (D)

District 9

Kiana Sears (D)

District 10

David Farnsworth (R)

District 11

Catherine Miranda (D)

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

Priya Sundareshan (D)

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)