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Stephanie Simmons

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Stephanie Simmons
Image of Stephanie Simmons
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Granada Hills High School

Bachelor's

Utah State University, 1986

Graduate

University of Utah, 2012

Personal
Birthplace
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Profession
Human resources
Contact

Stephanie Simmons (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Arizona House of Representatives to represent District 10. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Biography

Stephanie Simmons was born in Scottsdale, Arizona. She earned a high school diploma from Granada Hills High School, a bachelor's degree from Utah State University in 1986, and a master's degree from the University of Utah in 2012. Her career experience includes working in human resources.[1][2]

Elections

2024

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Arizona House of Representatives District 10 (2 seats)

Justin Olson and Ralph Heap defeated Helen Hunter and Stephanie Simmons in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 10 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Justin Olson
Justin Olson (R)
 
31.0
 
65,454
Image of Ralph Heap
Ralph Heap (R)
 
30.2
 
63,695
Image of Helen Hunter
Helen Hunter (D)
 
19.4
 
40,958
Image of Stephanie Simmons
Stephanie Simmons (D) Candidate Connection
 
19.4
 
40,926

Total votes: 211,033
Candidate Connection = 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 10 (2 seats)

Helen Hunter and Stephanie Simmons advanced from the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 10 on July 30, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Helen Hunter
Helen Hunter
 
96.0
 
13,477
Image of Stephanie Simmons
Stephanie Simmons (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
4.0
 
555

Total votes: 14,032
Candidate Connection = 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 10 (2 seats)

Justin Olson and Ralph Heap defeated Matt Greer in the Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 10 on July 30, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Justin Olson
Justin Olson
 
38.5
 
17,746
Image of Ralph Heap
Ralph Heap
 
35.4
 
16,335
Image of Matt Greer
Matt Greer Candidate Connection
 
26.1
 
12,016

Total votes: 46,097
Candidate Connection = 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 did not identify endorsements for Simmons in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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

Expand all | Collapse all

I’m passionately dedicated to driving change in our state, which plays a crucial role in national conversations about issues like water scarcity and reproductive rights. With over 25 years of executive experience across higher education, banking, technology, and manufacturing, I approach challenges with a unique perspective and a knack for innovative solutions.

I hold a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah and am proud to be a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Honors Society for Public Affairs and Administration.

Service is woven into my life. From seven years with Junior Achievement to my roles as PTA Treasurer, Boy Scout Leader, and a commissioner on the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism, I strive to make my community better. Service isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am.
  • Guarantee Reproductive Freedom. Protect personal and private health choices including if, when, and how we grow our families.
  • An educated workforce ensures a strong economy. To bolster Arizona's economy and attract and retain businesses and talented workers, we must confront the state's status as the worst-funded public education system in the nation. This demands significant policy shifts, foremost among them being the reevaluation of universal vouchers. By reallocating these funds to prioritize fair compensation for educators, we can enhance teacher retention and elevate Arizona's standing in per-pupil spending. Moreover, directing resources towards critical areas like classroom supplies, special education, extracurriculars, STEM programs, and the arts is essential for fostering educational excellence and driving economic growth.
  • Every Arizona urgently requires public policies to tackle its affordable housing shortage, particularly for extremely low-income households, who face severe cost burdens due to spending over half their income on housing. Addressing this crisis necessitates comprehensive strategies to increase the availability of affordable rental homes tailored to those with incomes at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income.
Arizona is facing serious water scarcity due to its dry climate and growing population, putting pressure on resources like the Colorado River. Climate change will likely worsen droughts, threatening agriculture and urban communities that depend on water.

To boost Arizona's economy, we must confront our status as the worst-funded public education system in the U.S. It’s time to reevaluate vouchers and reallocate funds to ensure fair pay for educators and improve teacher retention. Investing in classroom supplies, STEM programs, and the arts is vital for educational success and economic growth.

We also need effective policies to address the affordable housing shortage, particularly for low-income households struggling with high costs.
When considering the essential characteristics of an effective elected official, several key traits stand out:

Listening Skills: An effective elected official must prioritize active listening to understand the needs and concerns of their constituents, fostering trust and building relationships.

Diverse Professional Experience: A broad range of professional backgrounds enriches an official’s perspective. Experience in sectors like education, healthcare, and business can provide valuable insights into complex community challenges.

Understanding of Government Operations: A solid grasp of how government functions is crucial, including knowledge of legislative processes and the role of various agencies.

Deliberation and Collaboration: The ability to engage in thoughtful deliberation and work collaboratively is vital. An effective official should build coalitions, find common ground, and foster dialogue among diverse groups.

Comprehension of the State Budget Process: Understanding the intricacies of the state budget process is essential for making informed decisions about funding priorities and advocating for necessary resources.

Fiscal Responsibility: A strong grasp of taxation and funding sources enables an official to make sound financial decisions, ensuring that funds are allocated to improve public services.

By embodying these characteristics, an elected official can effectively represent constituents, drive positive change, and contribute to a more responsive and responsible government.
The core responsibilities of someone elected to this office are vital for the well-being of constituents and the state. I believe the following are foundational:

Enact Laws: A primary duty is to draft and propose laws that address the needs and challenges faced by Arizonans. This requires understanding key issues and collaborating with fellow lawmakers to create effective legislation.

Authorize the Budget: Elected officials play a crucial role in the budget process, ensuring state funds are allocated wisely. This involves evaluating proposals, prioritizing community needs, and advocating for resources for essential services like education and healthcare.

Create and Oversee Agencies: Establishing and overseeing state agencies is essential for effective governance. This includes ensuring agencies can implement laws and holding them accountable for their performance in serving the public.

Represent Constituents: A key responsibility is to advocate for the interests of constituents in the legislative district and across the state. Engaging with community members, listening to their concerns, and reflecting their needs in policy decisions is paramount.

Promote Economic Growth and Community Well-Being: Beyond legislation, an elected official should foster economic growth and improve quality of life. Supporting initiatives that create jobs, enhance education, and protect the environment is crucial for making Arizona a better place to live.

Engage in Public Outreach: Effective communication with the public about legislative actions and their implications is vital. Educating constituents on important issues encourages civic engagement and ensures informed participation in democracy.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, an elected official can significantly enhance the community and work towards making Arizona the best it can be for all its residents.
The first historical event I vividly remember from my lifetime was the Watergate impeachment hearings. I was in elementary school, and I can still picture my parents intently listening to the proceedings on the radio and television. When President Nixon resigned, she hushed my sisters and me, urging us to gather around the television to witness this momentous occasion. I remember the gravity of the moment as we watched history unfold together. Afterward, my mother emphasized that no president had ever resigned before, making it all the more profound. It was a powerful lesson in civic responsibility and the importance of holding leaders accountable, leaving a lasting impression on me about the impact of history on our lives.

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


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.


Stephanie Simmons campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Arizona House of Representatives District 10Lost general$7,267 $4,586
Grand total$7,267 $4,586
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal 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

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 8, 2024
  2. Stephanie Simmons Arizona House District 10, "Meet Stephanie," accessed October 8, 2024


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
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
Lupe Diaz (R)
District 20
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
Lisa Fink (R)
District 28
District 29
District 30
Republican Party (33)
Democratic Party (27)