Learn more about the four candidates for the 2024 Arizona Legislative District 13 House race in the slightly conservative leaning district considered competitive encompassing the East Valley and centering on Chandler. The House seats are currently represented by one Democrat and one Republican.
Jeff Weninger
Party: Republican
Website: jeffweninger.com
Weninger is a former state lawmaker re-entering the political arena. He served on the Chandler City Council for eight years and was vice mayor for part of that time. Weninger then served in the state House of Representatives from 2015-2023. He ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2022.
Weninger is a co-owner of multiple eateries, including Floridino’s Pizza and Pasta in Chandler. He lists jobs, education, taxes and budget and public safety as his policy priorities on his campaign site.
Julie Willoughby
Party: Republican
Website: juliewilloughby.org
Willoughby, an ER nurse and state lawmaker, is seeking re-election to her seat in the House of Representatives. She ran for the same seat in 2022 and lost, but was later appointed to replace former Rep. Liz Harris — who resigned ahead of a vote to expel her.
On Willoughby’s website, she lists education, second amendment rights, community safety, health care and election security as her priorities. In the last legislative session, Willoughby sponsored five bills that were signed into law by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Brandy Reese
Party: Democrat
Website: reeseforaz.com
Reese is an education advocate and forensic scientist attempting, for the second time, to join the state House of Representatives. In 2022, Reese ran in a different district and lost in the general election.
Reese and and fellow Democrat Nicholas Gonzales are also supporting Democrat Sharon Lee Winters for the LD13 Senate seat. Reese lists education and the economy, climate and water and reproductive freedom as her policy priorities on her campaign site.
Nicholas Gonzales
Party: Democrat
Website: gonzalesforaz.com
Gonzales describes himself as a “community planner” for a progressive nonprofit called Chicanos Por La Causa. He is running on a slate with two other Democrats, Brandy Reese and Sharon Lee Winters, to take control of the competitive East Valley District 13.
Gonzales describes his policy priorities on his campaign site as; housing affordability, education, reproductive health care and public safety. This is Gonzales’ first time running for a seat in the Legislature.
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Get information on Arizona races to watch, vote centers, ballots and the latest 2024 election news. -
Every two years, Arizonans cast their votes in primary and general elections. And every two years, critics complain it takes too many days for all the votes to be counted. Through KJZZ’s Q&AZ project, a listener asked: Why does the vote counting process take so long?
