Mark Finchem
Candidate for Arizona State Senate – District 1
Arizona · Legislative District 1
Mark Finchem won the primary and is the party's nominee for the general election. Ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Republican primary for LD1 State Senate. Faces Democratic nominee Christine Dargon in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Source: ballotpedia.org · Last verified: October 23, 2026
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Statement
Mark Finchem has dedicated his life to public service, first as a firefighter & paramedic, then as a law enforcement officer. In 2015 he was elected to the House of Representatives where he served with distinction for 8 years. Mark holds a Master of Legal Studies in Law & Economics cum lade from the University of Arizona, a BA in Government (State & Local Public Policy) from Grand Canyon University sums cum laude, and an AAS in Criminal Justice from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Mark has run his own ranch, worked for big tech and small tech companies, and is very knowledgable when it comes to land and water rights and law. Mark Finchem was the original election skeptic when clear and convincing evidence of election irregularities was brought to the Arizona Legislature in 2020. While many denied there were serious defects in the election, even today he is fighting in state and federal court for election security, transparency and integrity. He is know for his fiscal conservatism and dedication to protecting civil rights like the freedom of speech and the right for citizens to defend themselves.
Biography
Mark Finchem is the Republican incumbent Arizona State Senator for Legislative District 1, representing northern Arizona including most of Yavapai County. A former Arizona House member (2015–2022) and retired law enforcement officer, he ran for Arizona Secretary of State in 2022 and lost. A vocal election-integrity advocate aligned with Donald Trump, he was elected to the State Senate in 2024. His campaign platform calls for finishing the Arizona border wall, paper ballots and ending ballot drop boxes, expanding oil, gas and coal energy, lowering taxes and regulations, and protecting land and water property rights. He ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Republican primary and faces Democratic nominee Christine Dargon in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Past offices held
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsFrames water policy around protecting private land and water property rights from government intrusion and overreach.
"I support protecting land and water property rights from government intrusion and overreach."
Education Funding
SupportsSays education funding should go to classrooms rather than administrators, and supports smaller class sizes and parental input.
"Education funding needs to go to the classroom, not the administrators."
Border Security & Immigration
SupportsCalls for finishing the Arizona border wall, outlawing sanctuary cities and deporting criminal noncitizens.
"We need to secure the Arizona border and finish the Arizona border wall, outlaw Sanctuary Cities, deport criminal aliens"
Housing Affordability
No official stance on record.
Election Integrity
SupportsSupports paper ballots, ending ballot drop boxes and cleaning voter rolls; leads the Election Fairness Institute and serves on Judiciary and Elections.
"Paper ballots, currency-grade security, ending ballot drop boxes, and cleaning the voter rolls are all priorities of mine"
Healthcare Access
SupportsSays he will work to lower prescription drug prices, require transparent billing and allow more competition in healthcare, and opposes health mandates.
"I’ll work to lower prescription drug prices, mandate transparent billing where you know what you’re paying for"
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
SupportsHis official profile highlights 21 years in public safety as a firefighter, paramedic, law enforcement officer, and criminal investigator, and lists Public Safety as a 2026 committee.
Energy Policy
SupportsSupports expanding oil, gas and coal energy sources to create jobs and lower energy costs, citing energy independence.
"I support expanding affordable energy sources, including oil, gas, and coal, to create jobs and lower energy costs for American families."
Economic Development & Jobs
SupportsSays he would attract business to the district by cutting regulations and lowering taxes.
"I’ll work to bring new business here to the district and create more jobs by cutting back regulations"
Reproductive Rights
OpposesOpposes abortion; says life begins at conception and the law should protect the unborn.
"Life begins at conception, and our legal framework should shield the defenseless."
Transportation & Infrastructure
No official stance on record.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsPledges to lower taxes on Arizona families and cut regulations.
"lowering taxes on Arizona families so that your paycheck goes to your family, not the State"
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.
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