Sarah Wharton

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

Sarah Wharton

Independent

Education

Bachelor's

Arizona State University, 2009

Personal

Birthplace

Phoenix, Ariz.

Profession

Entrepreneur

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Sarah Wharton (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Arizona's 1st Congressional District. She did not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

Sarah Wharton was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She earned a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in 2009. Her career experience includes working as an entrepreneur.

Elections

2024

See also: Arizona's 1st Congressional District election, 2024

Arizona's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (July 30 Democratic primary)

Arizona's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (July 30 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Arizona District 1

Incumbent David Schweikert defeated Amish Shah in the general election for U.S. House Arizona District 1 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Schweikert (R)	51.9	225,538
		Amish Shah (D)	48.1	208,966

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 434,504
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Sarah Wharton (Independent)
• Bryce Beckstrom (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 1

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 1 on July 30, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Amish Shah	23.5	17,214
		Andrei Cherny	21.3	15,596
		Marlene Galán-Woods	21.2	15,490
		Conor O'Callaghan	18.5	13,539
		Andrew Horne	12.3	8,991
		Kurt Kroemer	3.2	2,356

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 73,186
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Cody Newman (D)
• Melissa Lamore (D)
• John Williamson (D)
• Robert Glasgow (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 1

Incumbent David Schweikert defeated Kimberly George and Robert Backie in the Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 1 on July 30, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Schweikert	62.7	62,811
		Kimberly George	27.5	27,587
		Robert Backie	9.8	9,854

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 100,252
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Paul Burton (R)
• Reina Patocs (R)

Libertarian primary election

No Libertarian candidates ran in the primary.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michelle Martin (L)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wharton in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Sarah Wharton completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wharton'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.

Born and raised in Arizona, Sarah lives in Phoenix with her husband, Matt, and their two dogs, PomPom and Ollie. As a lifelong Phoenician, Sarah has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by residents of CD1. Sarah is not just an experienced small business owner, but also a former legislative staffer and a life-long advocate for her community. With a decade of experience in public policy, Sarah has successfully navigated the legislative process, consistently prioritizing the needs of her fellow Arizonans. Through her legislative and entrepreneurial experience, she’s garnered invaluable insights into the economic struggles, infrastructure needs, and local challenges unique to CD1. Sarah’s approach has always been balanced and caring, earning her a reputation as a devoted advocate and coalition builder in both public and private sectors.

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?

• Unburdened by party politics, Sarah is a true voice for the people of CD1. She’s driven by a passion for enhancing the quality of life and laying a robust foundation for future generations. Sarah believes firmly in the power of community and sees endless potential in coming together to address pressing issues, creating opportunities for all. Sarah is not a political insider, making her uniquely positioned and deeply committed to representing every voice in CD1, tirelessly advocating for measures that elevate the quality of life and expand opportunities across the district. Her goal is straightforward: to bring fresh perspectives, genuine empathy and a relentless work ethic to the table, making sure all citizens are heard.
• Sarah stands uniquely positioned to advocate for the people, bridging the gaps within a deeply divided and broken system. Her unwavering desire to work for the residents of CD1 is evident, and she is ready to collaborate with all members of the community and representatives from all parties to achieve shared goals.
• In a system that has become so divided and broken, Sarah stands as a beacon of unity. Join her in reshaping the future of CD1, where every voice matters and collective goals finally become achievements.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Bipartisan solutions, technology and innovation, immigration, homeland security, individual rights, the economy and cost of living, and improving government functionality just to name a few.

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

I believe that in so many ways, our system is broken and those who are running the show are ill equipped to deal with the incredibly complex situation at hand. It will take more than spear throwing and arguing over intentionally divisive issues that serve only to distract us.

We need a new generation of leaders who are interested in solutions and compromises more than they care about which side has the upper hand, or how they may benefit personally. I am tired of seeing this country tear itself apart and make the lives of individual citizens harder every single day.

I believe that we need representatives in all branches of government who are willing to put the country and the People first. I am running as an independent because despite my deep respect for systems and order, it is more important to get things done, and sometimes the only way to do that is from the outside.

I do not label myself a disruptor. In fact, my intent is the opposite of that. My intent is to create bridges and find common ground on the issues that are plaguing the lives of everyday citizens, and I don’t believe that either major party is currently equipped or structured to facilitate that process. I am interested in making things work again, not serving my own political ambitions or those of any particular party. I don’t promise perfection, or even the perfect outcome, but I do promise that I will fight for the logical, compassionate and curative option every single time.

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

I am deeply concerned about the state of our government, which seems to be perpetually mired in dysfunction. The longstanding issues, such as the unresolved challenges in immigration and border security dating back to the 1980s, highlight the urgent need for a fresh approach. I am running as an independent, not to disrupt, but to bring a new perspective and foster collaboration. We require leaders who prioritize effective solutions over partisan victories, dedicated to healing the divides in our country and ensuring that our government works for the benefit of all citizens, not just a select few. Let's move beyond the entrenched political battles and work towards a future where governance is about serving the people and creating positive change.

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

My first job was at Cold Stone Creamery at age 15. This job not only introduced me to the world of employment but also allowed me to cultivate valuable skills and responsibilities. Over the course of 3.5 years, I worked diligently and progressively ascended to the role of supervisor. The dynamic environment of Cold Stone Creamery provided a hands-on platform for learning about customer service, team coordination, and the operational aspects of management. This experience not only shaped my work ethic but also instilled in me a sense of responsibility and leadership, setting the foundation for my future professional endeavors.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I LOVE books. I am always reading about five at a time, and I can't pick just one favorite. I adore biographies though!

Throughout high school and college I listened to the entire biography section at the public library. This was before you could download audio books, so I was constantly changing CDs! Looking back, making my way from A-Z feels like quite an accomplishment before everything became digital.

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

In policymaking, the importance of compromise cannot be overstated, as it serves as the bedrock for effective and inclusive governance. The intricate tapestry of diverse perspectives within any society demands a willingness to find common ground and negotiate solutions that cater to the broader spectrum of public needs. Compromise fosters collaboration, enabling lawmakers to synthesize varied viewpoints and navigate the complexities inherent in crafting robust policies. By prioritizing compromise, policymakers not only bridge ideological gaps but also cultivate a sense of unity and trust among constituents, reinforcing the democratic principles that underpin a thriving and cohesive society. Ultimately, it is through compromise that governments can navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and contribute to the collective well-being of their citizens.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

In recent years, the U.S. House of Representatives has abused their investigative powers, transforming them into a political cudgel rather than a tool for upholding constitutional integrity. The repeated attempts at impeachment against various presidents and high-ranking officials have raised concerns about the politicization of the impeachment process. Instead of being reserved for clear breaches of constitutional duty, these proceedings have, at times, appeared driven by partisan motives, contributing to a sense of skepticism and frustration among the public.

While acknowledging the need to prevent the abuse of investigative powers, it is crucial to strike a balance that preserves the House's ability to conduct legitimate and necessary inquiries. Restraining or limiting these powers excessively could impede the essential function of the legislative branch to oversee the executive and ensure accountability. It is imperative to establish a framework that distinguishes between genuine investigations aimed at addressing constitutional violations and abuses of power vs. those initiated for purely political gains. Striking this balance will not only safeguard the integrity of the investigative process but also reinforce the public's trust in the House of Representatives as a responsible and impartial institution.

What committees interest you?

Transportation and Infrastructure, Science Space and Technology, Oversight and Accountability, Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Ethics

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The current landscape of decision making is veiled at best, taking place behind closed doors where favored party elites and special interest groups are the only ones who hold real sway. A bastardization of the system which was designed to advocate for the authentic resonance of the American voice. The very essence of democracy, originally established as a platform for citizen representation has been tarnished by this concealed coordination, resulting in everyday citizens grappling with an overwhelming sense of underrepresentation and despair.

To call this style of governance insidious is kind. As we have all witnessed, it leads to nothing more than last-minute measures and stopgap solutions that merely postpone long standing issues, because there is no longer a framework in place to actually solve them. The state of affairs is thus characterized by a rigidity and a pervasive and entrenched political divide. It is impossible to solve anything other than the most pressing of emergencies, and even those are increasingly left unresolved.

There is a continued declining trust in governmental institutions. In addition to widening socioeconomic disparities and a growing sentiment of disconnection between the government and its citizens. We all know that there is a dire need to recalibrate our democratic process and redirect the power back to the people, as it was originally intended.

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.

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Sarah Wharton campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Arizona District 1	Withdrew general	$0	N/A**
Grand total			$0	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2024 Elections

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Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Arizona District 1

Website

Twitter

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Footnotes

[show]

Arizona's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ruben Gallego (D)

Mark Kelly (D)

Representatives

District 1

David Schweikert (R)

District 2

Eli Crane (R)

District 3

Yassamin Ansari (D)

District 4

Greg Stanton (D)

District 5

Andy Biggs (R)

District 6

Juan Ciscomani (R)

District 7

Vacant

District 8

Abraham Hamadeh (R)

District 9

Paul Gosar (R)

Republican Party (6)

Democratic Party (4)

Vacancies (1)