Christine Marsh

Christine Marsh graduated from Chaparral High School. She earned a bachelor's of English literature from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1989 and an M.A. in educational leadership and administration, general, from Grand Canyon University in 2016. Her career experience includes working as an educator.[1] She has been affiliated with the Arizona Education Association.[2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a mother, foster mother, and retired teacher with 32 years of experience. In 2016, I was named Arizona’s Teacher of the Year, and I traveled the state and saw firsthand the issues public schools face. I believe school choice must include quality public schools in every part of Arizona and that all schools using taxpayer dollars must be held to the same standards of accountability. I am a runner and attended UCLA on a track scholarship. I now work part-time as a caregiver, and my current client is my 92-year-old former running coach.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Investing in a robust public education system not only strengthens our economy but also empowers families across our state. By prioritizing quality education, we create opportunities for every child and build a brighter future for Arizona.Public transportation plays a vital role in urban life, often undervalued despite its significant impact. By streamlining commutes, easing traffic congestion, and offering affordable mobility, it enhances access to jobs, services, and opportunities, ultimately driving a city's economic growth.Access to the ballot is facing significant challenges, yet safeguarding it is essential for ensuring a well-functioning democracy.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I lost my youngest son to an accidental fentanyl overdose when he took a pill that he thought was a percocet.

During my 1st session, I successfully championed a life-saving bill to legalize fentanyl testing strips. Getting that bill passed was so hard, which is just one reason we need to engage in more bi-partisanship. When I was working on that bill, Landon’s death was still raw, and I begged Republicans to take action on this lifesaving measure, even though they are blindly opposed to almost all Democratic bills, even if lifesaving. And I know we are saving lives, but there is SO MUCH more we can do to make our communities–and our kids–safer, and combating the opioid epidemic will continue to be one of my legislative priorities.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Arizona List; AFSCME; Professional FIrefighters of Arizona; Ironworkers of Arizona, Local 75; UFCW; VRF (Voting Rights Fund), Teamsters.

Christine Marsh did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a proud Phoenician, a graduate of Arizona public schools, and a current State Senator. After attending UCLA on a track scholarship, I made the decision to come back home to Phoenix, where I raised my two sons and foster children and where I am in my fourth decade of teaching.

After 23 years in the classroom, I was honored to be named Arizona’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. Through that experience, I had the opportunity to travel the state to see first-hand the issues that public schools face.

While my experiences as a mother, teacher, and foster mother helped me make the decision to file for the State Senate, what truly motivates me is the need for more balance at the Capitol. One-party rule has stifled Arizona for too long, and our most vulnerable populations have been placed at risk. I have seen great bills fail to get a hearing and dangerous legislation sail through the legislature. We need a new legislative majority so that better ideas can get a fair hearing in our government.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Fully funding our state’s public education system: I was the 2016 Arizona Teacher of the Year and am in my fourth decade in the classroom and know just what statistics around our state’s education funding crisis look like for our kids. We need to bring both parents and teachers to the table to find stable and robust solutions and funding for our kids' local public schools.Building a strong economy: I am the daughter of two small business owners and know just how vital our state’s small businesses are to our economy. My voting record reflects my commitment to small businesses. I have also fought back against attacks on Arizona working families and backed vital legislation expanding the tax credits which actually help Arizona families succeed.Reinstating reproductive freedom: A territory-era law bans abortion in our state with no exceptions for rape or incest. We urgently need to repeal this radical and dangerous law. Arizona should be protecting access to necessary healthcare, not getting in the way of trained medical professionals.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Our legislature addresses a broad array of issues, but in addition to the above, two which warrant mention are protecting access to the ballot box and solving our state’s water crisis. On voting rights, we need to implement automatic voter registration and expand options for mail-in voting, as well as give Independents more options for voting in primaries. Regarding our state’s water crisis, we need a broad array of solutions, including conservation measures, rainwater collection, and supporting local communities as they take the steps they need to secure their water supply.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected officials should have the open-mindedness to give good ideas a fair and lively discussion, regardless of who proposes them. Elected officials should also understand the origins of the problems they work to solve and solve them with an eye towards justice and how they can help the most people.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working in my dad’s restaurants. I grew up working in my father’s restaurants and catering company from the time that I could walk. I’d go on deliveries with him when I was five or six, started cleaning pots and pans shortly thereafter, drove a delivery route of my own when I was 17, and ran catering ventures that took me away from home for a week at a time.

My favorite book is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird; the injustice it recounts is maddening and told so poignantly. When I was at the Capitol with my fellow teachers during Red for Ed, my sign read “What would Atticus do?”

Christine Marsh did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.