Ballot Pedia, Matt Gress

Matt is from a small town in Oklahoma. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree from Syracuse University. Matt is married to his partner Daniel.

Matt is the state’s top budget chief in the Arizona Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting. He is a former public school teacher and has served as a faculty associate at Arizona State University. Previously, he worked as a budget analyst at the Arizona State Capitol.

Matt Gress has previously served as a commissioner on the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission and as a school board member. 

Candidate website

Supports fiscally responsible legislation to fight inflation, reduce the cost of living, cut government spending, keep taxes low, and help small businesses grow. Plans to "cut through red tape" to ensure Arizona's economy reflects resilience and strength.

Supports fiscally responsible legislation to fight inflation, reduce the cost of living, cut government spending, keep taxes low, and help small businesses grow. Plans to "cut through red tape" to ensure Arizona's economy is "resilient and strong."

- Supports fiscally responsible legislation to fight inflation, reduce the cost of living, cut government spending, keep taxes low, and help small businesses grow. Plans to "cut through red tape" to ensure Arizona's economy is "resilient and strong."

Economy

Believes in individual liberty and opposes government overreach. Supports the Second Amendment.

Supports harsher punishments for drug dealers distributing lethal doses of fentanyl to prevent deaths and disrupt the supply chain.

Supports harsher punishments for drug dealers distributing "lethal doses of fentanyl" to prevent deaths and disrupt the supply chain. Wants to establish a Fentanyl Strike Task Force.

Supports fully funding and backing law enforcement, opposing efforts to "Defund the Police."

Plans to establish a new Criminal Justice Academy at Arizona’s universities and community colleges to ensure graduates are certified and hirable immediately.

Supports tuition-free education and training for police and correctional officers in exchange for a work commitment, funded by a public-private partnership.

Believes the Biden-Harris Administration has failed in its constitutional duty to secure the southern border, creating a crisis. Supports increased resources for border sheriffs, state troopers, and the National Guard.

Believes the Biden-Harris Administration has failed in its "constitutional responsibilities" to secure the southern border. Supports increased resources for border sheriffs, state troopers, and the National Guard.

- Opposes gun control.
- Supports harsher punishments for drug dealers distributing "lethal doses of fentanyl" to prevent deaths and disrupt the supply chain. Wants to establish a Fentanyl Strike Task Force.
- Supports fully funding and backing law enforcement, opposing efforts to "Defund the Police."
- Plans to establish a new Criminal Justice Academy at Arizona’s universities and community colleges to ensure graduates are certified and hirable immediately.
- Supports tuition-free education and training for police and correctional officers in exchange for a work commitment, funded by a public-private partnership.
- Believes the Biden-Harris Administration has failed in its "constitutional responsibilities" to secure the southern border. Supports increased resources for border sheriffs, state troopers, and the National Guard.

Public Safety

Believes Arizona’s 15-week abortion law is preferable to current laws and extreme measures proposed by advocates. Said, "We must respect women and protect new life."

Believes the territorial abortion law is "unworkable" and not reflective of the electorate's values.

Believes in repealing restrictive abortion laws and reverting to a 15-week limit.

Supports policies that empower women and protect new life, including exceptions to abortion laws, and opposes Arizona’s territorial ban.

Opposes "late-term and taxpayer-funded abortions" and supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Believes the state should support women, children, the vulnerable, and the elderly.

Believes the 1864 territorial ban on abortion is "unworkable" and not reflective of the electorate's values, transcending political affiliations.

- Believes Arizona’s 15-week abortion law is preferable to current laws and extreme measures proposed by advocates. Said, "We must respect women and protect new life."
- Believes the territorial abortion law is "unworkable" and not reflective of the electorate's values.
- Opposes "late-term and taxpayer-funded abortions" and supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Believes the state should support women, children, the vulnerable, and the elderly.

Healthcare

As a Governing Board Member, supported keeping schools open during COVID-19 and increasing school choice. Advocated for parental and taxpayer involvement in curriculum, hiring, and budgeting decisions.

Believes increasing teacher pay is crucial for attracting and retaining quality educators. Plans to give Arizona public school teachers a $10,000 raise to directly benefit teachers and improve student success.

Supports transparency in K-12 education funding and curriculum by making school budgets and curricula available online for parents and taxpayers.

Believes in promoting financial transparency in schools by connecting spending with academic outcomes. Supports providing parents with clear information about their child's progress and school performance.

Believes in improving Arizona’s education system by increasing teacher pay and ensuring taxpayer dollars reach teachers directly. As Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Committee, supported universal school choice and the largest per-pupil funding increase in State history.

Supports state tuition assistance for spouses and dependents of law enforcement and first responders at Career and Technical Education programs, community colleges, and universities.

Supports more learning options for families, believing wealth should not limit educational opportunities. Plans to encourage innovation in education by allowing parents to decide where and how their children learn.

Supports funding K-12 education through grants for ROTC and police/first responder training programs to promote careers in law enforcement and public safety.

Supports funding K-12 education through grants for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and police/first responder training programs to promote careers in law enforcement and public safety.

Believes in prioritizing teacher salaries over administrative costs. Supports policies that enhance K-12 education and make college more accessible for children.

Believes there is "significant budget capacity" to support education without raising taxes. Supports investing in the teaching workforce.

- As a Governing Board Member, supported keeping schools open during COVID-19 and increasing school choice. Advocated for parental and taxpayer involvement in curriculum, hiring, and budgeting decisions.
- Believes increasing teacher pay is crucial for attracting and retaining quality educators. Plans to give Arizona public school teachers a $10,000 raise to directly benefit teachers and improve student success.
- Believes in promoting financial transparency in schools by connecting spending with academic outcomes. Supports providing parents with clear information about their child's progress and school performance.
- Supports state tuition assistance for spouses and dependents of law enforcement and first responders at Career and Technical Education programs, community colleges, and universities.
- Supports funding K-12 education through grants for Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and police/first responder training programs to promote careers in law enforcement and public safety.

Education

Supports better forest management, state-funded farming practices, and research into water-saving and emission-reducing innovations to ensure a clean environment without harming the economy.

Believes the Western water supply shortage is worsening, impacting agriculture and Arizona's economy. Said, "These water cuts are harming Arizona farmers and their livelihoods."

Supports improving water infrastructure through investments in new technologies and partnerships with innovative companies to enhance water management and conservation.

Believes in funding water security projects like canal lining, drip irrigation, and aquifer recharge. As a legislator, supports policies that strengthen Arizona’s water augmentation, benefiting especially Central Arizona.

Supports expanding broadband, lowering energy rates, reducing regulations on small businesses, and enhancing power grid stability. As an advisor at the Arizona Corporation Commission, worked on energy, water, and technology policy.

Believes the State should fund water initiatives but insists on gathering extensive stakeholder input before committing taxpayer dollars.

Plans to collaborate with various stakeholders to develop policies addressing Arizona’s water issues.

- Supports better forest management, state-funded farming practices, and research into water-saving and emission-reducing innovations to ensure a clean environment without harming the economy.
- Believes the Western water supply shortage is worsening, impacting agriculture and Arizona's economy. Said, "These water cuts are harming Arizona farmers and their livelihoods."
- Supports improving water infrastructure through investments in new technologies and partnerships with innovative companies to enhance water management and conservation.
- Believes in funding water security projects like canal lining, drip irrigation, and aquifer recharge. As a legislator, supports policies that strengthen Arizona’s water augmentation, benefiting especially Central Arizona.
- Supports expanding broadband, lowering energy rates, reducing regulations on small businesses, and enhancing power grid stability. As an advisor at the Arizona Corporation Commission, worked on energy, water, and technology policy.

Energy & the Environment

Supports a constitutional amendment for permanent Voter ID requirements and measures to enhance election security, such as increasing the threshold for automatic recounts.

Supports a constitutional amendment for permanent voter identification requirements and measures to enhance election security, such as increasing the threshold for automatic recounts.

- Supports a constitutional amendment for permanent voter identification requirements and measures to enhance election security, such as increasing the threshold for automatic recounts.

Voting & Elections

Endorsed by numerous labor unions including the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Arizona Nurses Association, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Arizona’s Job Creators, Arizona State Troopers, Arizona Realtors, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Arizona Tech Council, and Arizona Police Association

Endorsed by local politicians including former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Barry Goldwater Jr., State Representative Teresa Martinez, Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring, Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Mohave County Sheriff Doug Schuster, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, and former State Representative Adam Kwasman.

- Endorsed by numerous labor unions including the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Arizona Nurses Association, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Arizona’s Job Creators, Arizona State Troopers, Arizona Realtors, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Arizona Tech Council, and Arizona Police Association
- Endorsed by local politicians including former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Barry Goldwater Jr., State Representative Teresa Martinez, Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring, Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Mohave County Sheriff Doug Schuster, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, and former State Representative Adam Kwasman.

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Matt Gress

Ballotpedia

Pamela was raised in the Arcadia area of Phoenix. She earned a master’s degree in communications and biblical studies from Arizona State University. She has served on the board of Help 4 Kidz, an organization that has received presidential awards for its outreach to at-risk youth and families.

Pamela is the former owner of a large sports medicine and weight training facility in Scottsdale, where she trained NFL athletes and Arizona State University football players. She hosted a national television program, "Get in Shape with Pamela Carter," for 18 years.

Pamela Carter ran for Scottsdale City Council in 2022, but did not win.

Supports economic policies that promote fiscal responsibility, reduce government spending, and address supply chain and manufacturing issues to combat inflation.

Believes in keeping taxes low for working families to reduce costs for gas, groceries, and housing.

Supports promoting small businesses to boost the Arizona economy.

Said, "Inflation is having a devastating impact on the cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for Arizona families to make ends meet. Government is driving this problem with massive spending and bad economic decisions."

- Supports economic policies that promote fiscal responsibility, reduce government spending, and address supply chain and manufacturing issues to combat inflation.
- Believes in keeping taxes low for working families to reduce costs for gas, groceries, and housing.
- Supports promoting small businesses to boost the Arizona economy.
- Said, "Inflation is having a devastating impact on the cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for Arizona families to make ends meet. Government is driving this problem with massive spending and bad economic decisions."

Believes securing the border is essential to stop the flow of drugs, crime, and violence. Supports legal immigration reform but insists it must follow the end of illegal immigration.

Said, "I believe we should secure the border... and stop the flow of drugs, crime, and violence."

Supports Police and Fire services and opposes "radical voices" in the Democratic Party calling for defunding. Plans to highlight the negative impacts of defunding in cities like San Francisco.

Supports police and fire services and opposes calls for de-funding of these services.

The candidate's website says, "Yet another area my liberal democrat opponents and I disagree on is our Constitutional rights. I am committed to restoring and protecting them, especially our First Amendment rights that allow us to speak freely without the interference of government and its big-tech partners, our Second Amendment right to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and our healthcare freedoms that recognize that government may not coerce us into making health care choices."

Supports freedom of speech and opposes gun control.

- Said, "I believe we should secure the border... and stop the flow of drugs, crime, and violence."
- Supports police and fire services and opposes calls for de-funding of these services.
- Supports freedom of speech and opposes gun control.
- Plans to address human trafficking.

Said, "I am committed to restoring and protecting... our healthcare freedoms that recognize that government may not coerce us into making health care choices."

- Said, "I am committed to restoring and protecting... our healthcare freedoms that recognize that government may not coerce us into making health care choices."

Believes K-12 schools should focus on foundational skills and opposes "radical left-wing agendas" in education. Supports parental control over children's education and aims to protect children from "harmful ideologies."

Believes K-12 schools should focus on foundational skills and opposes "radical left-wing agendas" in education.

Believes in high-quality schools and giving parents choices for their child's education. Supports increased K-12 funding and parental involvement in school decisions.

Supports increased K-12 funding and parental involvement in school decisions.

Believes in protecting children and their safety in schools. Supports policies that ensure a secure learning environment for K-12 students.

Advocates protecting children and ensuring safety in schools.

- Believes K-12 schools should focus on foundational skills and opposes "radical left-wing agendas" in education.
- Supports increased K-12 funding and parental involvement in school decisions.
- Advocates protecting children and ensuring safety in schools.

Believes in the "vital importance of water as a precious resource" and supports sustainable water management to ensure long-term supply and economic prosperity.

- Believes in the "vital importance of water as a precious resource" and supports sustainable water management to ensure long-term supply and economic prosperity.

Pamela Carter Pledges to Support Congressional Term Limits

Believes in protecting voting rights and improving election administration. Supports aligning state election deadlines with federal law to ensure accurate transmission of election results.

Supports aligning state election deadlines with federal law to ensure accurate transmission of election results.

Believes in "fair, honest, and accurate elections" with reliable and quickly reported results. Supports cleaning voter rolls of individuals who have left the state or passed away.

Believes in "fair, honest, and accurate elections" with reliable and quickly reported results and supports cleaning voter rolls of individuals who have left the state or passed away.

Supports term limits for Congress members.

- Supports aligning state election deadlines with federal law to ensure accurate transmission of election results.
- Believes in "fair, honest, and accurate elections" with reliable and quickly reported results and supports cleaning voter rolls of individuals who have left the state or passed away.
- Supports term limits for Congress members.

Endorsed by Latinos United For Conservative Action (LUCA).

Received endorsements from Paradise Valley Unified School District board member Sandra Christensen, Maricopa County Sheriff candidate Jerry Sheridan, and State Representative Joseph Chaplik.

- Endorsed by Latinos United For Conservative Action (LUCA).
- Received endorsements from Paradise Valley Unified School District board member Sandra Christensen, Maricopa County Sheriff candidate Jerry Sheridan, and State Representative Joseph Chaplik.

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Pamela Carter

- Your state representatives represent the interests of your local district in the Arizona State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up the state lawmaking body: the Arizona Legislature.
- Your state representatives can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws.
- Arizona has 30 districts, and each district is represented by two State Representatives, making a total of 60 State Representatives.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $24,000. They only serve in the role part-time.