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Arizona House – LD8
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DEMOCRAT CONNOLLY
Elected to serve 2025–26
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Past Chair; Superstition Vistas Steering Committee
Past President; Tempe Leadership Board
V. P. Executive Board; Central AZ College Foundation
Hon. Commander; Luke Air Force Base
Volunteer; Local Food Pantry
Janeen has this incredible balance between compassion for others, passion for the work, and practical business acumen in planning, rallying resources, and execution.
– Nick Tomashot, Tempe Leadership Board Member, Public Company CFO
Meet
JANEEN CONNOLLY
Committed to Arizona
Janeen is a 42-year resident of Tempe, in the new Arizona Legislative District 8.
As a single mom, she raised four accomplished and contributing daughters.
A proud graduate of MCC, she went on to earn a MA in Advocacy Communication from Arizona State University. Go Devils!
Janeen forged a stellar career in grassroots community engagement and has established exemplary government relationships throughout the state.
She is well known for bringing people to the table and moving sensitive issues forward, skills needed to be an effective legislator.
Janeen is ready to "give back" to her community.
And she wants to talk with you!
Provide input or submit questions, Janeen will respond. (480) 582-5056
Arizona Capitol Times
New faces poised for Legislature after primary wins
New faces poised for Legislature after primary wins
Jakob Thorington Arizona Capitol Times//August 9, 2024//
Read this article by clicking the link above.
Endorsed by
Endorsed by
VOTE FOR JANEEN CONNOLLY
CONNECTING WITH VETERANS
CLARK PARK GARDEN
EVERY CORNER OF THE DISTRICT
"I want to represent you at the Arizona Legislature. I simply believe we can ‘do more’.
Let's talk about what you consider to be our top issues."
To provide input, or submit questions, message via (480) 582-5056. Janeen will get back with you.
Click for more about Janeen Connolly
Click for more about Janeen Connolly
ACCOMPLISHED AT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Janeen is a skilled community organizer with a proven track record of bringing people together to solve problems. A proponent of civil dialogue, she is known in many areas of Arizona for her ability to listen to all sides, link common thinking and then move solutions forward. Ask her about lessons learned and positive community outcomes.
ADVOCATE FOR FAIRNESS AND LIFE QUALITY
Janeen is a strong advocate for fairness and improved life quality for all Arizonans. She is committed to working with policies that will build common ground with a focus on retaining affordable community college throughout our state. Then building our workforce focusing on a prolific future and jobs for Arizonans. Ask her about affordable community college.
A WARRIOR FOR THE UNDERREPRESENTED
As an academic, Janeen believes in giving voice to the marginalized and influencing policy for good. She is passionate about striking the right balance in providing housing and services to the homeless and near homelessness within LD8 and throughout Arizona. She is dedicated to establishing practices that meet the needs of the underrepresented. Talk with her about your ideas on protecting low income housing.
STRIVES TO REACH COMMON GROUND
Janeen is a consensus builder, always willing to listen to all sides regarding any topic. Known for her ability to find common ground even on the most difficult issues she is committed to working with people from every walk of life to build a better future for Arizona. And, she wants to talk with you!
Scottsdale Independent
Q&A
Janeen Connolly is running as a Democrat for Arizona Legislative District 8 House race.
Three of the five candidates running for the Arizona District 8 House responded to the Daily Independent’s questionnaire regarding their candidacy for the 2024 election.
Legislative District 8 includes parts of South and Central Scottsdale, North and Central Tempe, a sliver of West Mesa, parts of Phoenix, and the Salt River Pima - Maricopa Indian Community.
Two seats are open for the House. There is one Republican running for the seat and three Democrats. The three candidates who responded to the questionnaire are Republican Caden Darrow and Democrats Janeen Connolly and Brian Garcia.
Question 1: Why are you running for Legislative District 8?
Connolly
The voters of Legislative District 8 express concerns about our direction. I am ready to provide a new direction. Personal agendas have clouded the ability to truly represent and move good policy forward. In addition, this legislative district houses ASU, one of the largest economic engines of the state. Given that, LD8 legislators should be focused on filling a key role, a leadership role, in resolving Arizona’s most pressing problems namely, education, affordable housing, climate change, water and yes, there are more.
I am running to fill one of two open house seats in LD8 because I am looking to provide a new and straightforward approach to representation. I am for effective government. I believe in engaging in honest and open dialogue and working to resolve critical issues. I am a skilled organizer with a proven track record of bringing people together to move solutions forward. When elected, I am not going to sacrifice our ideals as Democrats. I will be sticking to the values that the people of this district share, and I will be working well with others to get things done.
Question 2. What do you think are the top two challenges facing the district in the next five years and why?
Connolly
The top challenge at this time is K-12 education. Voters talk to me about this every day. They would like problems with the (Empowerment Scholarship Account) voucher program to be resolved in a way that does not weigh on the state budget, more pay in the hands of teachers and public money to go to public schools. Recognizing that to “represent” is in the title of this job, I will be dedicated to supporting what voters want regarding their schools.
In LD8, affordable housing is also a top challenge. Legislators should be taking responsible steps toward providing affordable housing with the goal of creating a healthy, sustainable and thriving market in mind. The tax repeal is one such step because it aims to lessen the burden for renters. A better balance must be struck between state oversight and what ends up in the hands of the cities and counties. In the end, it will be important to also have measures in place that encourage stability and predictability in the housing market.
Question 3. In your opinion, what are the two key issues driving voters to the polls this election and where do you stand on those issues?
Connolly
The key issues driving Arizonans to the polls this election year will be immigration and women’s healthcare.
Regarding immigration, I am supportive of Congressman Greg Stanton’s new framework for common sense immigration reform. It is multi-faceted, and employs a rational approach guided by humane treatment. Some aspects I particularly appreciate include separating drug trafficking from everyday people, restructuring the immigration courts to both address backlog and achieve efficient processing, and matching visa processing with worker demand. The report, which was issued in February, 2024, outlines much more than I can relay here. A link is provided on Congressman Stanton’s website. I encourage readers to take time to review the information.
On women’s healthcare, in my district a striking number of voters talk with me about amending Arizona’s constitution to establish a woman’s fundamental right to have an abortion. I agree. All women should have the basic right to make their own decisions regarding their personal medical treatment.
(Review the full article at https://www.yourvalley.net/scottsdale-independent/stories/candidates-for-ld8-house-ract-tackle-questions,519525)
In Other News...
Janeen and a few members of her team comment on the Harris/Walz Debate Watch Party at the Mesa Convention Center.
Blog For Arizona
September 10, 2024
by David Gordon
Still Not A Lobbyist
In my line of work there was a very clear distinction between my job as a community advocate and those who were registered lobbyists.
My sister democrat in Tempe has been working hard to find fault, odd as she is not my opponent. The document she posted demonstrates that I was not a registered lobbyist. No report of me lobbying is in the details. My long time employer simply included me, along with a number of my colleagues, as an AL which is an authorized lobbyist.
To be clear, AL’s do not work on legislation. They might testify in committees, serve as Admins for those who lobby, or in my case occasionally brief legislators on major infrastructure projects. For example, I met with Senator Pete Rios on his district’s major infrastructure needs, he had some feedback for me. I once discussed with Representative Bill Konopnicki preserving flight patterns for birds along the San Pedro, then asked for his input. Collaboration at this level is vital to effective problem solving.
My employer likely erred on the side of caution. This is a good thing. My sister democrat may be splitting hairs. I am addressing it to assure LD8 voters that I have no hidden agenda and that I will take the experience I have gained down to the legislature to do good.
Financials
My votes are not bought. No person or entity has contributed to my campaign over an amount that would prevent me from writing a reimbursement check tomorrow if we disagreed on legislation.
I am running a traditionally funded campaign and I am accepting contributions within the Arizona Secretary of State’s Campaign Contribution Limits for the 2023-24 Election Cycle. I am funded first by myself, second by my family and friends, then to a lesser extent people and a few organizations who want to work with me at the legislature. I am very proud of the fact that after raising 4 kids on my own while going to college I am now financially solid.
I am proud to have built good relationships. And I am completely humbled by the fact that voters, along with my friends and family, believe in me.
Working at SRP
I had an amazing career at SRP working as a community advocate. This experience helped me gain incredible skills, the most important of which is my ability to talk with all parties and move good solutions forward. You have to work a little harder to arrive at solutions that consider everyone, I will do that.
I worked on the earliest wind projects, the early large scale solar projects (and solar with battery storage), underground water storage projects, wetland establishment and numerous others. These projects took me all over the state, I have garnered trust and built longstanding relationships as a result.
Projects I worked on clearly helped me gain the wealth of tools I have in my toolbox. Tools I will put to use at the legislature.
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