New faces poised
for Legislature after primary wins

Jakob Thorington Arizona Capitol Times//August 9, 2024//

Read this article by clicking the link above.

Q&A

Candidates for LD8 House race tackle questions

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)

Tempe Tribune Opinion
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Opinion article on page 32.

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azsos.gov/elections

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.

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. 

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.