Karen Gresham
Candidate for Arizona State House – District 4
Arizona · Legislative District 4
Karen Gresham won the primary and is the party's nominee for the general election. Finished first in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary for two LD4 House seats with about 52% of the vote; both Democratic candidates advanced. Faces Republican incumbents Matt Gress and Pamela Carter in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Source: karenforaz.com · Last verified: October 23, 2026
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Statement
As a school board member, she oversees multimillion-dollar budgets, advocates for responsible fiscal management, and supports educators and staff. This gives her the skills and experience needed to carefully evaluate policy for their impact on the public while collaborating with fellow board members. If elected to the legislature, Karen will work for public education funding, fiscal accountability, and an affordable Arizona with a budget that works for everyone. I'm a third-generation Arizonan who believes our state works best when we invest in opportunity and manage our finances responsibly. As a former CPA and graduate of Arizona State University, I understand how to build balanced budgets and analyze data to make smart decisions. I am currently serving my second term as an elected member of the Madison Elementary School District governing board. I know what Arizona schools, teachers, and students need. I am running to strengthen public education, restore fiscal accountability, and ensure an affordable Arizona with a budget that works for everyone. I look forward to representing LD4 in the State House and working on sensible solutions to the challenges we face.
Biography
Karen Gresham is a third-generation Phoenician who attended public schools in LD4 and graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in accountancy. She worked as a CPA at a major accounting firm before focusing on raising her three sons. She is serving her second term on the Madison Elementary School District governing board and is board president of the Arizona Trail Association. She ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature in 2024. Her campaign priorities are fully funding K-12 public schools and raising teacher pay, affordability and transparent state budgeting, and science-based water management; she lists endorsements from Attorney General Kris Mayes and U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton. She finished first in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary with about 52% of the vote and, with fellow Democrat Tammy Caputi, faces Republican incumbents Matt Gress and Pamela Carter in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Past offices held
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsSupports protecting water infrastructure investment, science-based water management, conservation and more transparency in water policy.
"support long-term, science-based water management"
Education Funding
SupportsPlans to fully fund K-12 public education, invest in preschool and early literacy, raise teacher pay and protect school funding from legislative sweeps.
"fully fund K–12 public education, invest in preschool and early literacy, raise teacher pay to competitive levels"
Border Security & Immigration
No official stance on record.
Housing Affordability
No official stance on record.
Election Integrity
No official stance on record.
Healthcare Access
No official stance on record.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
No official stance on record.
Energy Policy
SupportsPledges to fight unnecessary utility rate hikes.
"fight unnecessary utility rate hikes"
Economic Development & Jobs
No official stance on record.
Reproductive Rights
No official stance on record.
Transportation & Infrastructure
No official stance on record.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsCalls for responsible, transparent state budgeting without cutting essential services.
"demand responsible, transparent state budgeting"
Legislature
Legislative Voting Record
No voting record on file.
Voting records are only available for candidates who have held legislative office.
Ballot
Ballot Measure Stances
No ballot measure stances on file yet.
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