Butler Vows to Advance Progressive Border Reforms and Oppose School Choice if Elected to Arizona House

By Staff Reporter

Kelli Butler, a liberal Democrat, is seeking a return to the Arizona State Legislature to help her party gain control of the House of Representatives. Butler has announced her candidacy for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 4, a centrist district in the Phoenix metro area.

Butler previously served in the state legislature from January 2017 to 2023 and currently holds a Member At-large position on the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board. Her campaign has garnered endorsements from several left-leaning organizations, including the Arizona Education Association, Moms Demand Action, and the Human Rights Campaign.

Butler’s campaign website doesn’t feature an “issues” page, but her “about” section indicates a strong stance against school choice. She argues that universal vouchers divert tax dollars to private schools without accountability. Additionally, Butler has emphasized protecting women’s reproductive rights, criticizing what she calls attacks on these rights.

One notable endorsement came from Save Our Schools, an organization against school choice and educational freedom opportunities. Butler expressed pride in this endorsement and looks forward to bolstering neighborhood public schools. This perspective aligns with her previous legislative actions.

During her last term, Butler voted against HB 2853, which expanded the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program. She also opposed Republican efforts to enhance border security and provide additional resources to law enforcement. Regarding HCR 2060, she argued it would divert local law enforcement resources and strain the state budget.

Butler has been an advocate for gun control measures, criticizing the GOP majority for obstructing gun violence prevention bills. She also slammed then-Republican Governor Doug Ducey’s policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing him of ignoring public health guidelines and defunding public schools.

Recently, Butler and Karen Gresham, her running mate and president of the Madison Elementary School District’s governing board, finished first in the Democratic primary. They will compete against incumbent Republican state Representative Matt Gress and his running mate, Pamela Carter, in the general election.

Legislative District 4 is noted for its competitiveness, with a narrow vote spread between Republicans and Democrats in past statewide elections. Currently, only one legislator, Matt Gress, represents the district following a Democrat’s resignation this summer. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will soon select one of three nominated Democrats to fill this vacant seat.

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