Matt Gress
Candidate for Arizona State House – District 4
Arizona · Legislative District 4
Matt Gress won the primary and is the party's nominee for the general election. Finished first of three in the July 21, 2026 Republican primary for two LD4 House seats, with about 45% of the vote. Faces Democratic nominees Karen Gresham and Tammy Caputi in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Source: kjzz.org · Last verified: October 23, 2026
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Statement
Matt Gress represents District 4 in the Arizona House of Representatives, delivering real results for Arizona families. A conservative Republican, Matt believes in securing our border, cutting taxes, balancing budgets, and protecting individual liberty. At the Capitol, Matt has proven he can get things done. He authored and passed the most comprehensive school safety legislation in decades, led the effort to enact Preston's Law to crack down on teen mob violence, and secured funding to support law enforcement families and strengthen recruitment. He has worked to increase teacher pay, lower the cost of living, and keep Arizona free, competitive, and open for opportunity. Matt's story is rooted in hard work. Raised by a single mom in a small town in Oklahoma, he worked his way through college by driving school buses and became the first in his family to earn a degree. He later taught high school and served on a local school board, fighting to keep schools open during COVID-19 and expand educational freedom. Before the Legislature, Matt served as Arizona's budget director, helping deliver the largest tax cut in state history. Matt Gress is a proven conservative fighting to keep Arizona on the right track.
Biography
Matt Gress is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 4, first elected in 2022, where he chairs the House Education Committee and is vice chair of Appropriations. Raised by a single mother, he worked his way through college driving school buses, taught high school, and served on the Madison School Board. Before joining the House he was budget director under Gov. Doug Ducey. KJZZ reported that he also works as a lobbyist in other states for Americans for Fair Treatment, a nonprofit that advocates for anti-union legislation, that he has sparred with the Tolleson Union High School District superintendent over public records and a district loan, and that he worked with Superintendent Tom Horne to increase funding for school resource officers. He finished first in the July 21, 2026 Republican primary with about 45% of the vote and, with Rep. Pamela Carter, faces Democrats Karen Gresham and Tammy Caputi in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsHas worked on addressing Arizona's water crisis and has experience in water policy.
Education Funding
SupportsSupports teacher pay and authored budgets directing new dollars toward K-12 education and teachers, while also supporting school choice.
Border Security & Immigration
SupportsBiography says he has worked on securing the border.
Housing Affordability
SupportsHas worked on reducing homelessness and sponsored bills related to housing and homelessness.
Election Integrity
No official stance on record.
Healthcare Access
SupportsServes on Health and Human Services and has sponsored healthcare-related bills.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
SupportsSupported by law enforcement organizations; sponsored fentanyl prosecution funding and police response time study legislation.
Energy Policy
SupportsWorked on lowering energy rates, reducing regulations, and power grid stability at the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Economic Development & Jobs
SupportsNotes work on reducing cost of living, small business regulation, and technology policy.
Reproductive Rights
OpposesChoice Tracker describes him as anti-choice; voted yes on a bill restricting government contracts tied to abortion providers.
Transportation & Infrastructure
SupportsSponsored or co-sponsored bills touching roads, pedestrians, license plates, and public safety infrastructure.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsDescribed as a budget hawk with state budget experience and taxpayer-focused school board work.
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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