Patty Contreras
Candidate for Arizona State Senate – District 12
Arizona · Legislative District 12
Patty Contreras won the primary and is the party's nominee for the general election. Ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary. Faces No Labels Party nominee Anthony Ramirez and Republican write-in candidate Gary Hatch in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Source: ballotpedia.org · Last verified: October 23, 2026
Next steps
Keep exploring
Statement
I was first elected to the Arizona House in 2022, re-elected in 2024. I am now seeking election to the Arizona Senate. Issues important to me are fully funding public education, helping seniors and veterans, combating climate change, and protecting Arizona's water supply. I have two sisters and a niece who are public school educators. I support public education and will work towards providing adequate funding for our public schools including increasing teacher's wages, improving infrastructure, and ensuring schools have adequate and well paid support staff. I worked with older adults for much of my career and provided resources and information to enhance their lives and protect them from scams, abuse, and exploitation. Because of my experience with seniors, I was appointed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging and have been serving on the Legislature's Vulnerable Adults Study Committee. I am concerned about our environment and the effects of climate change. I will continue to work to improve our state's resilience to the effects of climate change and look for sustainable solutions to our water needs. As your Representative, I host a monthly constituent meeting in the district, drop by and chat. I look forward to continuing to serve you.
Biography
Patty Contreras is a native Arizonan from the Yuma area who has lived in the Phoenix area for more than 40 years and in District 12 for more than 30. She holds a bachelor's degree from ASU and a master's degree from NAU. She retired from the City of Phoenix after more than 31 years in the Parks and Recreation and Human Services departments, primarily providing services and programs to seniors and people with disabilities. She was elected to the Arizona House in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, and has served on the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging and the Legislature's Vulnerable Adults Study Committee. She ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary for the open Senate seat and faces No Labels Party candidate Anthony Ramirez and Republican write-in candidate Gary Hatch in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsSupports sustainability policies for limited water resources as part of her environment platform.
Education Funding
SupportsSupports fully funded public education, increased teacher and school support staff pay, smaller classes, and student centered policy.
Border Security & Immigration
SupportsAdvocates for equal rights for immigrant communities.
Housing Affordability
SupportsSupports affordable housing solutions, especially as rental costs become unaffordable.
Election Integrity
SupportsSupports voting rights and says she has worked as a poll watcher and Election Protection volunteer to protect eligible voters.
Healthcare Access
SupportsSupports senior resources, affordable daycare, veterans support, and safer communities.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
SupportsSupports sensible gun reforms, private prison reform, record expungement after sentences are served, and restored voting and employment opportunities.
Energy Policy
SupportsSupports environmental protection and climate resilience.
Economic Development & Jobs
SupportsSupports union workers, the PRO Act, fair wages, safe working conditions, and good jobs with livable wages.
Reproductive Rights
SupportsStates support for a woman's right to choose and says she fought for Arizona's constitutional abortion rights amendment.
Transportation & Infrastructure
No official stance on record.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsSupports increased school funding, senior resources, climate resilience, affordable daycare, and affordable housing solutions.
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.
Coverage