Lorena Austin
Candidate for Arizona State House – District 9
Arizona · Legislative District 9
Statement
As a fifth-generation Arizonan, Mesa native, and former educator, my connection to this community is personal. My Nana and Tata, who owned a local grocery store in the Washington/Escobedo Park neighborhood, were community advocates who exemplified the importance of community service. My father's work as a civil rights attorney and my mother's work as a teacher and social worker taught me to value diverse perspectives and inspired me to run for office. I proudly graduated from Mesa Community College with an AA in Sociology, and Arizona State University with a degree in U.S. and Mexico Regional Immigration Policy and Economy. As your Representative, I'm proud to have secured $40 million in tuition assistance through the Arizona Promise Program and funding for childcare assistance. I sit on the Appropriations and Public Safety committees and am the Ranking Member on the International Trade committee. When re-elected, I will continue to champion public education, affordable housing, and water conservation. Amidst ongoing challenges from the Federal Government, my dedication to serving and safeguarding our community remains steadfast, and I am eager to continue working for all Arizonans.
Biography
Representative Lorena Austin is a fifth-generation Arizonan whose family has served this community for over 100 years. Prior to the Legislature, Rep. Austin worked at Maricopa Community Colleges and in the nonprofit and private sectors. They are a proud graduate of MCC and ASU. Rep. Austin is committed to investing in public education and quality healthcare, securing Arizona's water and clean energy future, and lowering costs for housing and utilities. Since their first term, they have secured over $46 million dollars for college tuition, workforce development, and childcare assistance funding, and passed innovative legislation to improve housing affordability in Arizona.
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsDescribes clean water as a climate justice issue and calls for sustainable water management over developer and utility profit priorities.
Education Funding
SupportsSupports investment in public schools, higher education affordability, teacher and staff support, and opposes diverting public funds to private schools.
Border Security & Immigration
No official stance on record.
Housing Affordability
SupportsSupports middle housing, ADUs, stopping landlord price gouging, and affordability for families, veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and working-class Arizonans.
Election Integrity
No official stance on record.
Healthcare Access
SupportsSupports expanded access to low-cost care through AHCCCS and programs such as Parents as Paid Caregivers.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
No official stance on record.
Energy Policy
SupportsEnvironmental platform supports climate justice and public interest water and environmental policy.
Economic Development & Jobs
SupportsLinks public school investment, higher education, fair wages, and union rights to workforce and economic prosperity.
Reproductive Rights
SupportsCampaign page says Austin champions reproductive autonomy.
Transportation & Infrastructure
SupportsSupports ADU and middle housing legislation that affects local land use and infrastructure planning.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsSupports public investment in public resources and education, including Arizona Promise Program funding.
Legislature
Legislative Voting Record
No voting record on file.
If this candidate holds a legislative seat, visit the Arizona Legislature at azleg.gov for voting records.
Ballot
Ballot Measure Stances
No ballot measure stances on file yet.
Coverage