Rep. Austin Under Fire: Drag Story Hour Controversy and Radical Crime Policies Define Tenure

By Staff Reporter |

A Democrat state representative is campaigning for reelection in Arizona’s fiercely contested Legislative District 9. State Representative Lorena Austin, who has served in Mesa, Arizona, faces a competitive race with a slim 2.6% vote margin over the past nine statewide elections, as per the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

Austin currently serves on the Appropriations and Commerce Committees in the Arizona House of Representatives. Earlier this year, she drew significant attention by organizing a controversial event in partnership with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. The event featured a Drag Story Hour and was held in the Copper Basin Room of the House Basement.

The event met swift backlash from Republicans. House Speaker Ben Toma criticized the event on social media, accusing Austin of misleading House leadership to secure the conference room. He stated, “Use of House facilities for radical activism to promote dangerously perverse ideology will not be tolerated while I am Speaker. Democrats have lost the privilege of accessing House meeting rooms until trust can be restored.”

Austin countered, arguing the House should be inclusive and defend various communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. She stated, “This is the people’s House and that includes the LGBTQ+ community. I hosted a drag performer who read stories about LGBTQ+ history and inclusion. There were no minors present, but also no content that would offend a minor.”

She further explained, “We were completely transparent when we reserved the room. Approximately 20 adults attended because the House is conducting business on Wednesday, and it was Tuesday. It was educational and within the mission of our LGBTQ+ Caucus. I will never apologize for teaching people to be inclusive.”

Republican Representative Alexander Kolodin also expressed outrage, insisting the House should be a safe place for children and calling for additional restrictions on Austin’s access to House facilities.

Austin’s endorsements for her reelection bid come from numerous left-leaning organizations, including Moms Demand Action, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, and Save Our Schools Arizona. Her voting record has shown consistent opposition to several crime-related bills, such as HB 2478 and SB 1262, aimed at expanding penalties for assault and criminal activities affecting law enforcement and public utilities.

District 9 is represented by Austin and fellow Democrat Seth Blattman. Both ran unopposed in the recent primary election, with Austin receiving 8,624 votes and Blattman obtaining 7,316 votes. Their Republican challengers, Mary Ann Mendoza and Kylie Barber, also ran unopposed in the primary, securing 8,571 and 8,335 votes, respectively.

November’s General Election will be a rematch from 2022, where Austin and Blattman defeated Mendoza and her running mate, Kathy Pearce, to win their current terms.