Scott Podeyn

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

Scott Podeyn

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

High school

Sandia High School

Associate

Central New Mexico Community College, 2008

Bachelor's

University of New Mexico, 2008

Personal

Religion

Agnostic

Profession

Retired

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Twitter

Scott Podeyn (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Arizona House of Representatives to represent District 29. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Podeyn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Scott Podeyn earned a diploma from Sandia High School, an associate degree from Central New Mexico Community College in 2008, and a bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico in 2008.

Elections

2022

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Arizona House of Representatives District 29 (2 seats)

Steve Montenegro and Austin Smith defeated Scott Podeyn in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 29 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Montenegro (R)	36.4	46,831
✔		Austin Smith (R)	35.5	45,636
		Scott Podeyn (D)	28.1	36,162

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 128,629
= 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 Arizona House of Representatives District 29 (2 seats)

Scott Podeyn advanced from the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 29 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott Podeyn	100.0	14,812

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,812
= 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 House of Representatives District 29 (2 seats)

Steve Montenegro and Austin Smith defeated Trey Terry and Hop Nguyen in the Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 29 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Montenegro	37.0	17,240
✔		Austin Smith	30.8	14,324
		Trey Terry	18.7	8,696
		Hop Nguyen	13.5	6,278

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 46,538
= 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

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Scott Podeyn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Podeyn'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.

I’m a retired disabled Air Force veteran. I was a bomb loader and aircraft maintainer for 20 years. I’m leaving retirement to serve again. I support a woman’s right to choose and support LGBTQ+ rights. I’m an advocate for stronger unions.The unions created the middle class and with new intimidation tactics the middle class is disappearing. I want to put a priority on improving public education and paying our teachers and staff a competitive wage. I’m looking for ways to save every drop of water we can by working with agriculture to improve irrigation systems. I want to create a grant program to keep people from medical bankruptcy.

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?

• My life since 1982 has been driven by a few simple words. Duty Honor Integrity and service before self. The state legislature has failed in its duty to the the average person. I have to struggle every month to meet my bills. The republicans have failed by distracting the people from what really matters.
• We can’t expect our students to succeed when they get the cheapest education the state can fund. You get what you pay for and our students are paying the price of a Walmart education.
• The 14th amendment guarantees that women have a right to decide their medical needs. The state is prevented from interfering because of the 14th amendment and everything covered can’t be undone as a state’s rights as laid out in the 10th amendment. The 14th amendment takes priority.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protecting the rights of people under the constitution. Keeping church and state separate even by elected and appointed members of government. Looking out for the needs of the have nots (I’m one of them on a fixed income). Protecting workers rights and repealing right to work or I call it right to starve. People have a right to a fair day’s wages for a days work. I don’t want people to have a J.O.B.=Just Over Broke but a living wage. If a business owner needs to take a pay cut to pay employees then that’s the RIGHT thing to do.

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

Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, Dr. King. True patriots go against the system for change and have put their lives on the line for that change.

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

No

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

Upholding their oath to the constitution of the United States and state. Honesty always putting the people ahead of yourself.

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

I’m level headed. I’ve been to war. I know how to lead and make command decisions on the spot. I’m a student of history not only earth science. I’m not reactionary and I leave my personal thoughts at the front door because that’s what the people expect.

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

Honor

What legacy would you like to leave?

He was an honorable man and man led by duty and service.

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

Vietnam. I was five when my uncle was sent to the Nam in 68. After that it was Watergate when I was 9.

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

My first job was at Shakeys Pizza where I made the pizzas and washed a bunch of dishes. I was there for about a year (it was in 79).

What is your favorite book? Why?

Wild Seasons. It reminds us life is fleeting and you must preserver to survive.

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

No I’m happy being who and what I am.

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

I really don’t remember.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Keeping my mouth shut in the Air Force even though I was supported by the regulations.

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

A positive working relationship with both required to compromise and neither gets everything. The only winners in politics must be the people.

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

Water

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Too many chefs ruin the stew. Neither party can be the winner only the people must win especially those that have the least.

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

Nope

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

Yes because the people get left behind because of partisan bickering.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Based upon a state plain system based upon geography.

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

That’s up to the senior democrat.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I just want to be in a position where my education and experience best serves the state.

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

No

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

Congress

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?

Not as yet

Tell us your favorite joke.

It’s not a G rated joke.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes

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

The purpose of a representative is to work for your constituents. The Constitution and State Constitution must guide legislation.

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

2022 Elections

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Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

Arizona House of Representatives District 29

Website

Twitter

Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Arizona House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Steve Montenegro

Majority Leader:Michael Carbone

Minority Leader:Oscar De Los Santos

Representatives

District 1

Selina Bliss (R)

Quang Nguyen (R)

District 2

Stephanie Simacek (D)

Justin Wilmeth (R)

District 3

Joseph Chaplik (R)

Alexander Kolodin (R)

District 4

Pamela Carter (R)

Matt Gress (R)

District 5

Sarah Liguori (D)

Aaron Marquez (D)

District 6

Mae Peshlakai (D)

Myron Tsosie (D)

District 7

Walter Blackman (R)

David Marshall (R)

District 8

Janeen Connolly (D)

Brian Garcia (D)

District 9

Lorena Austin (D)

Seth Blattman (D)

District 10

Ralph Heap (R)

Justin Olson (R)

District 11

Junelle Cavero (D)

Oscar De Los Santos (D)

District 12

Patricia Contreras (D)

Anastasia Travers (D)

District 13

Jeff Weninger (R)

Julie Willoughby (R)

District 14

Laurin Hendrix (R)

Khyl Powell (R)

District 15

Neal Carter (R)

Michael Way (R)

District 16

Chris Lopez (R)

Teresa Martinez (R)

District 17

Rachel Keshel (R)

Kevin Volk (D)

District 18

Nancy Gutierrez (D)

Christopher Mathis (D)

District 19

Lupe Diaz (R)

Gail Griffin (R)

District 20

Alma Hernandez (D)

Betty Villegas (D)

District 21

Consuelo Hernandez (D)

Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)

District 22

Lupe Contreras (D)

Elda Luna-Nájera (D)

District 23

Michele Pena (R)

Mariana Sandoval (D)

District 24

Anna Abeytia (D)

Lydia Hernandez (D)

District 25

Michael Carbone (R)

Nick Kupper (R)

District 26

Cesar Aguilar (D)

Quantá Crews (D)

District 27

Lisa Fink (R)

Tony Rivero (R)

District 28

David Livingston (R)

Beverly Pingerelli (R)

District 29

Steve Montenegro (R)

James Taylor (R)

District 30

Leo Biasiucci (R)

John Gillette (R)

Republican Party (33)

Democratic Party (27)