In a crucial election battle, Republicans and Democrats are vying for a House seat in north Phoenix’s Legislative District 2, a pivotal district that could influence control of the chamber in the upcoming legislative session. Currently, the district is represented by Rep. Justin Wilmeth, R-Phoenix, and Rep. Judy Schwiebert, D-Phoenix, with Schwiebert seeking a state Senate position. This opens her House seat to new candidates.

Wilmeth is running for re-election alongside Ari Bradshaw, a former president of North Valley Young Republicans. Their candidacy is set against Democrat Stephanie Simacek, a governing board member of Deer Valley Unified School District, who is emphasizing her education-focused platform.

Simacek is positioning herself as a single-shot candidate for the seat, although independent candidate Tom Simes is also on the ballot. Recent campaign finance reports revealed that Simacek raised $175,000 in the third quarter alone, amassing more than $350,000 throughout the election cycle to support her campaign. On the other hand, Bradshaw reported $66,000 in third-quarter contributions and nearly $200,000 total, while Wilmeth raised about $150,000 over the cycle and just under $60,000 recently.

Emphasizing the urgency of educational reform, Simacek, with experience as a public school teacher and substitute, stated, “I’ve seen first-hand what teachers are going through. Overcrowded classrooms, lack of funding, having to use their own funds for supplies—this is unacceptable.”

Political analyst Barrett Marson suggests that Wilmeth’s incumbency gives him a clear advantage, yet he notes the race for the second House seat is likely a contest between Simacek and Bradshaw. The district has a small Republican lean, with a nearly 4% vote spread favoring GOP candidates, according to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

In 2022, Schwiebert received the highest vote total in the district, finishing ahead of Wilmeth by approximately 2%. This seat is vital for the Democrats’ plan to flip the state House, while Republicans see it as strategic defense against Democrat efforts targeting seats in other districts.

The campaign has not been without controversy. Bradshaw has faced negative scrutiny from both major parties. Reports detail an incident on Oct. 5 where he attempted to visit Simacek at her home after she missed a Clean Elections Commission debate. His visit was met with uncertainty as he later learned from her ex-husband that they had separated.

Additionally, Bradshaw has drawn ire from fellow Republicans, including Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, due to comments made regarding her running mate’s alleged stolen valor. Accusations of selling fentanyl emerged from Rogers’ camp, which Bradshaw vehemently denied.

In addressing these challenges, Bradshaw criticized Rogers, labeling her rhetoric as extreme and calling for a reformation within the Republican Party. “This extremism needs to be stamped out,” he stated, pointing out that the party needs to evolve to align with the next generation.