Brian Matlock won the primary and is the party's nominee for the general election. Ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary for State Mine Inspector. Faces Republican incumbent Les Presmyk in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Source: kjzz.org · Last verified: October 23, 2026
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Statement
Arizona was built on mining, and the men and women who power that industry deserve leadership that implements world-class health and safety mining practices. I'm Brian Matlock, and I'm running for State Mine Inspector because the job is about one thing, protecting lives while supporting world-class mining that keeps our economy thriving and robust. I've built my career solving problems. I've seen what works and what fails. As Mine Inspector, I plan to: • Put real-world safety first by enforcing practical standards that protect miners every day. Not politics. Not bureaucracy. Just results keeping people safe. • Bring a professional, boots-on-the-ground approach to the office focused on expertise, accountability, and transparency. This is not a political position. It's a public safety job. • Ensure the inspection gap is filled as Federal oversight wanes. • Work with local experts and federal agencies to secure abandoned uranium mines in the Sovereign Lands. Secure backcountry abandoned mines that threaten families, hikers, and rural communities. Arizona's mining industry is vital, but nothing is more important than the people who power it. The State Mine Inspector must be visible, responsive, and accountable to both workers and the public. I'm ready to get to work.
Biography
Brian Matlock is a mechanical engineer and Marine Reserves veteran with decades of heavy-industry experience in forestry, pulp and paper, foundry, and mining. He is named as an inventor on six U.S. patents, some related to mining safety, and has worked at industrial sites on every continent except Antarctica in design, field service, marketing, and management roles. Matlock says he would adopt a new health and safety model for the Mine Inspector's office with clearly defined policies and procedures and would work with communities to identify more abandoned mines. At an Aug. 31, 2026 Clean Elections debate, incumbent Les Presmyk argued Matlock lacks the statutory mining-operations experience for the job, which Matlock disputed, and Matlock questioned mining-industry contributions to Presmyk's campaign. Matlock ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary and faces Presmyk in the November 3, 2026 general election.
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Border Security & Immigration
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Healthcare Access
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Public Safety & Criminal Justice
SupportsMatlock says the Mine Inspector's job is ensuring mines comply with safety and training standards. He wants to adopt a new health and safety model for the office with clearly defined policies and procedures and to work with communities to identify more abandoned mines.
Energy Policy
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Economic Development & Jobs
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Reproductive Rights
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Transportation & Infrastructure
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