Maricopa Lawmakers Achieve Impressive Perfect Attendance This Session

Maricopa may lack a reliable highway system, but it benefits from dedicated state legislators committed to their roles. Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande) and Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge) achieved perfect attendance this legislative session, as highlighted by the Arizona Agenda. They were joined by Sen. Sine Kerr (R-Buckeye) and Reps. Deborah Nardozzi (D-Scottsdale) and Junelle Cavero (D-Phoenix) in this commendable feat.

For Martinez, attending every session is vital. “You’re missing votes, you’re missing procedures, you’re missing committees,” she explained, underscoring the importance of presence. “I take it seriously and show up every day. I think in three years, I’ve only missed one vote.” Similarly, Shope has maintained impressive attendance throughout his 11-year career, admitting he “missed three or four days at most.” He credits his work ethic to his familial background, stating, “You go to work, and you do your job. That’s also the promise I made to the voters.”

Both legislators emphasize their attendance as instrumental to effecting change in their communities. “I am there because you, the voters of Pinal County, elected me as their representative to work on your behalf,” Martinez added, reinforcing her commitment.

However, attendance alone doesn’t define a legislator’s effectiveness. As noted by the Agenda, “the job does extend far beyond just showing up to vote.” The report highlights that legislators invest significant hours in drafting and researching legislation beyond what attendance records reflect.

On average, Arizona legislators received a B-plus for attendance during this session. Senators managed an attendance rate of 86%, while representatives reached 88%. Maricopa’s Keith Seaman exceeded this average with a 92% attendance rate, having only four excused absences. In contrast, Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) recorded the lowest attendance with just 56%, attending only 33 of the 59 days the Senate was in session.

In the House, Reps. Jacqueline Parker (R-Mesa) and Alma Hernandez (D-Tucson) exhibited lower attendance, each participating in roughly two-thirds of legislative sessions, accumulating 18 combined excused and unexcused absences.