Butler Bets Centrist District Will Embrace Her Progressive Vision

By Daniel Stefanski |

Liberal Democrat Kelli Butler is making a political comeback in Arizona, aiming to reclaim a seat in the Arizona State Legislature for Legislative District 4. A former legislator from January 2017 to 2023, Butler is currently a Member At-large on the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board.

Butler’s campaign has garnered endorsements from left-leaning organizations like the Arizona Education Association, Moms Demand Action, and the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter. Her agenda includes opposition to school choice, arguing that “universal vouchers send tax dollars to private schools with no accountability.” Additionally, she has emphasized women’s reproductive rights, vowing to prioritize change with a new majority.

In a recent endorsement from Save Our Schools, Butler expressed her commitment to strengthening public schools, a stance supported by the Arizona Education Association. She has a history of voting against measures like HB 2853, which expanded the state’s empowerment scholarship accounts program.

Butler has consistently opposed Republican efforts on border security and law enforcement. She argued against HCR 2060, stating it would “divert local law enforcement resources” and strain the state’s budget. Her stance on gun control is equally firm, criticizing GOP proposals to allow firearms on college campuses and calling for sensible gun violence prevention legislation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Butler criticized the Republican-led state’s handling of public health measures. She condemned Governor Doug Ducey for downplaying mask mandates and for using the pandemic to, in her words, “defund our already stressed-to-the-brink public schools.” She also accused Attorney General Mark Brnovich of prioritizing a “PR campaign” over public health by opposing federal vaccine mandates.

In the latest primary election, Butler, running alongside Karen Gresham, finished first with 20,918 votes. Gresham received 18,930 votes. They will compete against Republican incumbents Matt Gress and Pamela Carter in one of Arizona’s most competitive legislative districts.

Legislative District 4 has a narrow vote margin between Republicans and Democrats, making it a battleground for control of the House of Representatives. With only one legislator currently representing the district, Butler and her Democratic colleagues are vying to fill the vacancy left by a recent resignation.