Democrat Volk Aims to Turn the Tide in Southern AZ’s GOP Statehouse Seat

As Democrats aim to alter the political landscape in Arizona, they are eyeing Legislative District 17 in Southern Arizona as a crucial opportunity on November 5. Candidate Kevin Volk, a former educator turned real estate professional, is challenging Republican incumbents Cory McGarr and Rachel Jones, both elected in 2022.

Volk characterizes the incumbents as extreme right-wing figures who fail to address the needs of Southern Arizona. Both McGarr and Jones belong to the House Freedom Caucus and have recently voted against repealing Arizona’s 1864 law that severely restricts abortion. They have also propagated falsehoods regarding election integrity, including claims that Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs did not defeat Kari Lake in the 2022 gubernatorial race.

Legislative actions taken by McGarr and Jones have raised eyebrows. Jones has proposed legislation that would automatically allocate Arizona’s electoral votes to the GOP candidate, while McGarr has suggested measures to disqualify the Democratic nominee from the state ballot if the courts remove the Republican candidate. McGarr has also labeled the January 6 investigations a “hoax.”

Aside from election-related issues, both lawmakers have introduced culture war initiatives, voting to ban public drag performances and co-sponsoring bills to remove books discussing gender fluidity from school libraries. In stark contrast, Volk’s campaign prioritizes public education, abortion rights, water supply protection, and relief for families facing rising living costs.

Requests for interviews regarding McGarr and Jones’s legislative records went unanswered, and both declined to participate in a recent online Clean Elections debate. Currently, the Arizona House is narrowly controlled by Republicans, with a 31-29 majority, making the LD17 race of exceptional importance for Democratic efforts to gain legislative power.

Despite a Republican voter advantage in LD17, which includes parts of Pinal County and Tucson, Democratic strategists see potential in the district. The 2022 election saw Democrats like Governor Hobbs and Senator Mark Kelly succeed against their GOP rivals here, suggesting shifting dynamics.

Volk is pursuing a “single-shot” campaign strategy, urging voters to cast their votes solely for him in a district with two available House seats. He holds a degree in economics from Brown University and has experience in education and real estate. His professional background has equipped him with negotiation skills, which he believes could bridge divides in the legislature.

Financially, Volk’s campaign is thriving. By the end of September, he had raised over $447,000, significantly outpacing his Republican challengers, who have collectively raised under $261,000. The House Victory Fund, supporting McGarr and Jones, is running ads claiming bipartisan cooperation, a narrative met with skepticism from House Minority Whip Nancy Gutierrez.

Gutierrez expressed disbelief at the portrayal of McGarr and Jones as bipartisan, citing minimal communication and collaboration on legislation. She stated, “I would love to get together with them on our priorities, but our priorities are not theirs.”

Volk echoed these sentiments, asserting that campaign messaging about the incumbents stands in stark contrast to their voting records. “These words are the opposite of how they’ve been described,” he said. His frustration with the current direction of the state legislature largely motivates his run for office.