Diego Espinoza (Arizona)

Diego Espinoza (Democratic Party) was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, representing District 19. He assumed office on January 12, 2015. He left office on September 5, 2022.

Espinoza (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Arizona State Senate to represent District 22. He did not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 8, 2022.

Biography

Jose "Diego" Espinoza earned a B.A. in business management from Ottawa University and an A.A. in organizational leadership from Estrella Mountain Community College. Espinoza’s career experience includes working as the owner and manager of Fuego Bar and Grill. His volunteer experience includes serving as a mentor for the Tolleson Teen Youth Council. Espinoza was elected to serve as the representative for the Arizona House of Representatives District 19.

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Espinoza was assigned to the following committees:

• House Rules Committee
• House Commerce Committee

2019-2020

Espinoza was assigned to the following committees:

• House Appropriations Committee
• Government and Higher Education Committee
• House Rules Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Arizona committee assignments, 2017
• Commerce
• Military, Veterans and Regulatory Affairs
• Rules

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Espinoza served on the following committees:

Arizona committee assignments, 2015
• Banking and Financial Services
• Commerce
• County and Municipal Affairs

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

State Senate

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Arizona State Senate District 22

The following candidates ran in the general election for Arizona State Senate District 22 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eva Diaz (D) (Write-in)	59.0	6,629
		Steven Robinson (R) (Write-in)	33.1	3,722
		Steven Chapman (D) (Write-in)	4.8	545
		Stephen Diehl (Independent) (Write-in)	0.9	100
	Submit photo	Ryan Benson (R) (Write-in)	0.8	94
	Submit photo	Jeffrey Norwood (R) (Write-in)	0.7	76
	Submit photo	Kenya Raymond (D) (Write-in)	0.5	59
	Submit photo	Paul Valach (D) (Write-in)	0.1	7
	Submit photo	Richard Weed (R) (Write-in)	0.0	5
	Submit photo	Justin Crawford (D) (Write-in)	0.0	4

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,241
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Deniece Platt (R)
• Diego Espinoza (D)
• Bryan Kilgore (D)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 22

Diego Espinoza defeated Richard Andrade in the Democratic primary for Arizona State Senate District 22 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Diego Espinoza	52.6	6,224
		Richard Andrade	47.4	5,600

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,824
= 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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State House

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2022

Diego Espinoza was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.

2020

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Arizona House of Representatives District 19 (2 seats)

Incumbent Diego Espinoza and incumbent Lorenzo Sierra defeated Joe Quijada in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 19 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Diego Espinoza (D)	52.9	43,372
✔		Lorenzo Sierra (D)	47.1	38,617
	Submit photo	Joe Quijada (D) (Write-in)	0.0	34

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 82,023
= 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 19 (2 seats)

Incumbent Diego Espinoza and incumbent Lorenzo Sierra defeated Leezah Sun in the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 19 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Diego Espinoza	41.6	9,160
✔		Lorenzo Sierra	36.5	8,037
		Leezah Sun	21.9	4,835

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,032
= 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

• Arturo Ramirez (D)

Republican primary election

No Republicans filed for this race. Shelby Busch ran as a write-in and received 150 votes. Write-in candidates were required to receive at least 263 votes to make the general election ballot.

2018

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Arizona House of Representatives District 19 (2 seats)

Incumbent Diego Espinoza and Lorenzo Sierra won election in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 19 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Diego Espinoza (D)	53.1	26,428
✔		Lorenzo Sierra (D)	46.9	23,319

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 49,747
= 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 19 (2 seats)

Incumbent Diego Espinoza and Lorenzo Sierra defeated Devin Del Palacio in the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 19 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Diego Espinoza	42.6	6,080
✔		Lorenzo Sierra	31.7	4,524
		Devin Del Palacio	25.8	3,681

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,285 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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.

2016

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016.

Incumbent Diego Espinoza and incumbent Mark Cardenas were unopposed in the Arizona House of Representatives District 19 general election.

Arizona House of Representatives, District 19 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Diego Espinoza Incumbent	52.96%	30,693
	Democratic	Mark Cardenas Incumbent	47.04%	27,263
Total Votes				57,956
Source: Arizona Secretary of State

Incumbent Mark Cardenas and incumbent Diego Espinoza were unopposed in the Arizona House of Representatives District 19 Democratic Primary.

Arizona House of Representatives, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Mark Cardenas Incumbent
	Democratic	Diego Espinoza Incumbent

2014

See also: Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 28, 2014. Incumbent Mark Cardenas and Diego Espinoza were unopposed in the Democratic primary. Sophia Johnson was unopposed in the Republican primary. Cardenas and Espinoza defeated Johnson in the general election.

Arizona House of Representatives District 19, General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mark Cardenas Incumbent	37.8%	10,999
	Democratic	Diego Espinoza	34.6%	10,076
	Republican	Sophia E. Johnson	27.6%	8,029
Total Votes				29,104

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Diego Espinoza did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Diego Espinoza did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign donors

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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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Diego Espinoza campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Arizona State Senate District 22	Withdrew general	$65,175	$83,284
2020	Arizona House of Representatives District 19	Won general	$96,990	N/A**
2018	Arizona House of Representatives District 19	Won general	$26,000	N/A**
2016	Arizona House of Representatives, District 19	Won	$427	N/A**
2014	Arizona State House, District 19	Won	$2,200	N/A**
Grand total			$190,792	$83,284
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

2018

Arizona House of Representatives District 19 2018 election - Campaign Contributions
Top individual contributors to Diego Espinoza's campaign in 2018
HERMMANN, RAYMOND R	$1,000.00
AJA, BASILIO FERMIN	$500.00
DELGADO, ROBERT MICHAEL	$300.00
YONKO, DOUGLAS JAMES	$300.00
MCCAIN, ANDREW K	$300.00
Total Raised in 2018	$26,000.00
Source: Follow the Money

2016

Espinoza won re-election to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2016. During that election cycle, Espinoza raised a total of $427.

Arizona House of Representatives 2016 election - campaign contributions
Top contributors to Diego Espinoza (Arizona)'s campaign in 2016
Barber, Dennis L	$250
Cox, William	$100
Diego Espinoza Campaign Cmte	$77
Total raised in 2016	$427
Source: Follow the Money

2014

Espinoza won election to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2014. During that election cycle, Espinoza raised a total of $2,200.

Arizona House of Representatives 2014 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Diego Espinoza (Arizona)'s campaign in 2014
Pinnacle West	$500
UPFF Tempe Chapter PAC	$500
Arizona Optometric Association	$200
Arizona State Lodge Fraternal Order Of Police	$200
Sandquist, Jeffrey A	$200
Total Raised in 2014	$2,200
Source: Follow the Money

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Arizona

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Arizona scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15. Americans for Prosperity - Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The Arizona Center for Economic Progress Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic policy.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 9 to July 31. Arizona Free Enterprise Club: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform. Center for Arizona Policy Action Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Progress Arizona Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Arizona Center for Economic Progress Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic policy.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 10 to June 25. Arizona Free Enterprise Club: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform. Center for Arizona Policy Action: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Progress Arizona Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's policy platform. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Arizona Center for Economic Progress Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic policy.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 11 to June 30. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 13 to May 26. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 14 through May 28. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the 54th Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 4. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 53rd Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 4. Americans for Prosperity Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Tucson Metro Chamber Legislators are scored on their support of business policies.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the 52nd Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 7. Americans for Prosperity Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy. Arizona Small Business Association Legislators are scored on their votes on ASBA's legislative priority bills. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on policies related to reproductive health issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Tucson Metro Chamber Legislators are scored on their support of business policies.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the 52nd Arizona State Legislature was in session from January 12 to April 2. Americans for Prosperity Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy. Arizona Republican Assembly Legislators are scored on how they vote in relation to the Republican Party platform. Arizona Small Business Association Legislators are scored on their votes on ASBA's legislative priority bills. Center for Arizona Policy: Senate and House Voting Records Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Legislators' votes are recorded by the Center for Arizona Policy on bills related to family issues. Children's Action Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues. Humane Voters of Arizona Humane Voters of Arizona] Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona Legislators were scored on their stances on policies related to reproductive health issues. Secular Coalition for Arizona Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy. Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Arizona State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Warren Petersen

Majority Leader:John Kavanagh

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)