The Unyielding Reign of the Queen of 347: A Throne Defended

Teresa Martinez has successfully secured her position in the State House, according to projections from InMaricopa, with 34 percent of precincts reporting in the Nov. 5 election. Martinez, known for her advocacy on road infrastructure and safety, countered late campaign attacks from prominent Pinal County Democrats, leveraging her proactive work ethic and bipartisan approach.

Alongside Senator T.J. Shope and newcomer Chris Lopez, both of whom represent Casa Grande, Martinez’s campaign has generated significant momentum in Maricopa’s Legislative District 16. The trio is poised to potentially displace incumbent Democrat Rep. Keith Seaman.

At 11 p.m. on election night, InMaricopa projected that Sen. Shope would retain his seat. Following her victory declaration, Rep. Martinez stated, “I am humbled and honored that the people of Maricopa have selected me to represent them,” emphasizing her commitment to serving every resident in LD 16.

As of noon, Martinez led the race with 31,646 votes, translating to 37 percent of the total. Chris Lopez followed closely, with 28,497 votes—34 percent—while Seaman lagged behind by four points. An op-ed by Martinez published on Oct. 23 highlighted Seaman’s more than 80 partisan opposition votes, countering claims of his support for widely endorsed initiatives.

The local GOP coalition amplified their efforts with an aggressive advertising campaign that branded Seaman and his daughter Stacey as “the political odd couple” deemed “too odd for Arizona.” Fundraising efforts for Martinez exceeded $82,770, as indicated by unofficial figures from the Federal Elections Commission.

“Your roads, your water, education, and job creation will be my top goals in the next two years,” Martinez assured supporters in her victory announcement. “I want to thank everyone who supported me. I am truly humbled by your support.”