Elizabeth Lee

Elizabeth Lee earned a high school diploma from Dover High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Northwestern State University in 2005 and an associate degree from the Carrington College of Nursing in 2013. Her career experience includes working as a nurse, consultant, and healthcare advocate.[1][2]

Lee has been affiliated with the following organizations:[2]

American Society for Reproductive Medicine

ASRM Center for Policy Leadership

Pacific Coast Reproductive Society

Reproductive Freedom for All

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Arizona State Board of Nursing

Greater National Advocates

Scouting America, MoveOn

Healthcare Rising

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Elizabeth Lee -- a nurse, patient advocate, and mom running to be the first woman to represent Arizona’s 5th Congressional District. My life’s work has been standing up for families, fighting for better healthcare, and making broken systems work for the people they are supposed to serve. Washington doesn’t need more career politicians. It needs leaders who know what it means to fight for every breath, every paycheck, and every ounce of dignity. That’s why I’m running, and that’s why I’m ready to serve.

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?

I know firsthand that healthcare is not a privilege but a human right. I grew up battling a mysterious illness that went undiagnosed for years, and it was only after becoming a nurse that I began to crack my own medical mystery. That experience shaped my life and ignited my determination to fight for every patient who has been overlooked, dismissed or priced out of care. As a board-certified Reproductive Health and Infertility Nurse and a board-certified Patient Advocate, I have stood with families navigating impossible choices between treatment and survival. In Washington I will fight to guarantee that no one is left behind, no child denied care and no family bankrupted for the right to live.I am the product of public schools, and I know the power of a strong education system to shape lives and communities. But our state ranks near the bottom in funding, and too often taxpayer dollars are siphoned into private schools that face no transparency or accountability. Every child, regardless of zip code or family income, deserves access to safe classrooms, qualified teachers and the resources they need to succeed. Public dollars belong in public schools, and I will fight in Washington to ensure Arizona invests in its students instead of subsidizing unregulated private institutions.Across this country families are being crushed by a housing crisis that shows no sign of slowing. Rents are skyrocketing, home ownership feels out of reach and even families working two jobs can’t keep a roof over their heads.

A major driver of this crisis is corporations and private equity firms buying up homes, inflating prices and treating shelter like a commodity instead of a basic human need. We must reject a system that rewards greed over stability and take bold steps to make housing affordable again.

In Washington I will fight to curb corporate control of real estate and put the dream of safe, affordable housing back within reach for Arizona families.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare equity, reproductive health, economic justice, and people over politics.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have deep admiration for every woman who has ever stepped into Congress by defying the odds and winning in districts others called “unflippable.” Their victories are not just political wins, they are reminders that courage, persistence and belief in the people you represent can overcome even the steepest challenges. I look up to them because they chose to put themselves forward in a system that wasn’t built with them in mind, and they did it anyway.

But my respect extends beyond them to anyone willing to put themselves out there to serve. Public service demands vulnerability, resilience and an unwavering commitment to something greater than yourself. It takes sacrifice and a willingness to withstand criticism in order to fight for the needs of your neighbors and your community. That kind of courage is what inspires me most, and it’s the kind of leadership I strive to embody.

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

The most important characteristics and principles for an elected official can be organized into three core dimensions: personal integrity, public service values and governance effectiveness.

A commitment to truthfulness with constituents, colleagues and the public record is a crucial component of taking responsibility for decisions, admitting mistakes and correcting course.

Ensuring that motives, funding and decision-making processes are clear and accessible to the public helps garner trust and demonstrate a willingness to stand for what is right, even when it is unpopular or politically costly. Ensuring policies protect the vulnerable and promote fairness across race, gender, income, and ability is a key tenet of our movement.

Listening to understand the lived experiences of constituents, especially those who feel unheard, and placing community well-being above personal ambition or special interests helps upholds the dignity, freedoms, and rights of every individual.

A legislator’s job is crucial and requires a deep understanding of issues, policies and systems, paired with the ability to craft and pass meaningful legislation.

Building coalitions and working across differences to achieve solutions helps to articulate a clear and forward-looking plan for progress, balancing idealism with realistic steps that achieve measurable results.

An elected official who embodies these principles is more likely to lead with trust, deliver meaningful change and preserve democratic values.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives has three primary responsibilities: legislating, representing their district, and providing oversight.

Legislatively, drafting, debating, and voting on bills by working through committees to shape federal policy on everything from healthcare to national security makes up a good deal of the core responsibilities.

They also hold the constitutional “power of the purse,” meaning all revenue and spending bills must originate in the House anc, equally important, Representatives serve as the voice of their constituents in Washington. They hold town halls, listen to community concerns, and bring those priorities into national debates and offices exist to handle casework and help constituents navigate federal programs like Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and immigration services.

Representatives also serve as a critical check on government power, overseeing federal agencies, conducting investigations, and holding hearings to ensure accountability.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Professionally, I’ve spent my career in service to patients, families and communities navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. My legacy, I hope, will be one of making systems fairer, giving a voice to people too often ignored, and using my position to break down barriers rather than build them up. If I can leave behind a record of expanding access to healthcare, defending reproductive freedom, strengthening public education and restoring faith that government can work for ordinary people, then I’ll know I’ve done my part.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Growing up, I wasn’t especially aware of or exposed to current events. That changed in an instant on September 11, 2001. Just three weeks into my freshman year of college in Annapolis, the world shifted. I will never forget stepping outside and realizing we could smell the smoke from the Pentagon. For the first time, the headlines weren’t distant stories and instead they were unfolding right outside our doors. That day left a lasting mark on me, shaping my understanding of both our nation’s fragility and the resilience we must carry forward in the face of tragedy.

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

My very first job was at a veterinary clinic, and it shaped so much of who I am today. I loved every minute of it, not just because I cared about the animals, but because I was fascinated by the chance to learn anything and everything that anyone was willing to teach me. Whether it was cleaning kennels, helping with paperwork or shadowing the veterinarians and techs, I approached each task as an opportunity to grow. That early experience taught me the value of curiosity, humility, and hard work and those lessons have guided me in every chapter of my life since.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Positive Intelligence is one of my favorite books because it reshaped the way I think about resilience, mindset and leadership. The central idea is that our greatest obstacles often come from our own “saboteurs” and the way we respond to challenges, ultimately resonating deeply with me. It gave me practical tools to quiet the inner critic, strengthen my mental fitness and lead from a place of clarity rather than stress or fear.

What I love most is that it isn’t just a book about personal growth, it’s about service. By learning to shift from self-sabotage to self-command, we not only improve our own lives but also show up more fully for others. As someone who has faced both personal health struggles and professional challenges in healthcare and advocacy, the lessons in Positive Intelligence have been a powerful reminder that strength comes from how we choose to frame and respond to adversity. It’s a book I return to often because its message continues to ground and guide me.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

If I could be any fictional character, I would choose Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. He embodies courage, integrity and an unwavering sense of justice even when the odds are stacked against him. Atticus doesn’t just stand up for what is right in the courtroom, he models fairness and empathy in everyday life, teaching his children and his community that doing the right thing often comes with sacrifice, but it is always worth it.

I admire that kind of steadiness, that ability to keep principles intact when tested by hostility or fear. It’s the type of character I strive to live out in my own work …serving others, protecting the vulnerable, and refusing to compromise on justice, even when it isn’t popular or easy.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the greatest struggles in my life has been my health. For years, I have lived with pain and symptoms that went unexplained, leaving me to navigate a system that too often dismisses patients, especially women, when answers aren’t simple. It took persistence, advocacy, and eventually becoming a nurse myself to finally begin piecing together what was happening in my own body. That journey taught me resilience, but it also opened my eyes to how broken our healthcare system truly is.

What was once my greatest challenge has also become my greatest motivator. Because I know firsthand how it feels to be unheard, overlooked, and failed by the very institutions meant to help, I have dedicated my career to ensuring others don’t endure the same. My struggle with health made me not only tougher, but more compassionate, and it drives my fight to make healthcare accessible, affordable

and equitable for everyone.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives is unique because it is designed to be the chamber closest to the people. Its members serve two-year terms, meaning they must stay highly responsive to their constituents and the shifting needs of their districts. With 435 seats apportioned by population, the House provides more direct and proportional representation than any other body of the federal government.

The House also holds distinctive constitutional powers. It alone can initiate revenue and spending bills, giving it the “power of the purse,” and it has the sole authority to bring articles of impeachment against federal officials. Combined with its structure of numerous committees, which allow members to specialize and shape policy in detail, the House functions as both a national legislative body and a direct voice for local communities.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Experience in government or politics could certainly be beneficial for Representatives; however, it should never be the only qualification. Prior service may help a member navigate the legislative process, understand parliamentary rules

and build relationships that make passing laws easier. That said, experience can also breed complacency and insularity, leading to career politicians more loyal to lobbyists than to the people they serve.

Fresh perspectives from those who have worked in healthcare, education, business, the military, or grassroots advocacy can be just as valuable, if not more so. These backgrounds ground Representatives in the real challenges Americans face every day. Ultimately, what matters most is not whether someone has spent years in politics, but whether they bring integrity, competence, and a commitment to serve the public over personal or partisan gain.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The greatest challenges facing the United States in the coming decade are deeply interconnected. Our democracy is strained by polarization, disinformation and attacks on voting rights that erode trust in government. At the same time, families are burdened by a broken healthcare system, skyrocketing housing costs, stagnant wages and deep inequities in access to education, healthcare, and opportunity. These fractures in our social fabric threaten both economic stability and public trust.

We also face existential challenges from climate change, global instability and rapid technological change. Extreme weather, cyber threats and the rise of artificial intelligence will demand bold leadership and responsible governance. Immigration and demographic shifts will test whether we choose division or embrace the workforce and families who strengthen our communities. Ultimately, America’s greatest test will be whether we can come together, invest in the public good, and restore faith that government serves the people, not the powerful few.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

The two-year term length for Representatives was designed to keep members closely tied to the will of the people, ensuring they remain accountable and responsive. In that sense, it is one of the House’s strengths — members cannot afford to lose touch with their districts for long without facing voters again. However, the short cycle also has drawbacks. It forces Representatives into a near-constant campaign mode, making it harder to focus on long-term policy solutions or bipartisan collaboration.

Whether two years is “right” depends on what we value most. If accountability and responsiveness are the highest priorities, the system works as intended. But if we want Congress to operate with more stability and less focus on fundraising and electioneering, there is a strong case for considering a longer term. In the end, the challenge isn’t just the length of service but how Representatives use their time in office to serve the people who sent them there.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Career politicians weren’t what the founders envisioned. Term limits ensure fresh ideas, prevent power from consolidating in the hands of a few and make Congress more accountable to the people instead of lobbyists. Public service should be about representing the community, not building a lifelong career in Washington.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

There are several Representatives whose leadership offers lessons worth emulating, though no single figure provides the perfect mold.

Leaders like Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, demonstrated astounding courage in breaking barriers and an unwavering commitment to equity, famously declaring she was “unbought and unbossed.”

Barbara Jordan set the standard for integrity, bringing moral clarity and constitutional fidelity to her service, particularly during the Watergate hearings.

More recently, figures like Gabrielle Giffords have beautifully embodied resilience, optimism and a deep connection to her community and continuing to champion causes even after tragedy.

What I would model is not one person, but the combination of their qualities: Chisholm’s independence, Jordan’s integrity, and Giffords’ resilience. Together, they reflect the kind of leadership Congress needs which is principled, courageous, and deeply committed to the people, not special interests.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

One of the most powerful and heartbreaking stories I’ve carried with me is that of a woman who dreamed of building a family but faced the crushing barriers of infertility. What should have been a deeply personal medical journey became a battle against a system stacked against her, including endless denials, exorbitant costs and a lack of coverage that made every step an uphill climb.

She wasn’t just fighting for her chance at motherhood. She was also fighting a healthcare system that treated her as expendable. She encountered providers who minimized her pain, insurance companies that hid behind fine print and a political environment that increasingly put reproductive care out of reach. Her spirit was fierce, but the weight of the injustice she faced was unbearable.

Her story is not just personal to me, it is a devastating reminder of what’s at stake when healthcare is treated as a privilege instead of a human right. She deserved compassion, access and support. Instead, she was failed at every level. I carry her memory with me because it underscores why we cannot wait another decade for change. For every family who dreams of children, for every patient who has been left behind, we must build a system that values lives over profits and ensures reproductive care is accessible to all.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is both necessary and desirable for effective policymaking in a democracy, but it has to be the right kind of compromise. In a nation as large and diverse as the United States, no single party or ideology represents everyone. Our system was built on the idea that negotiation and coalition-building are essential to move the country forward. Compromise allows lawmakers to bridge divides, build consensus and craft policies that are durable rather than fleeting.

That said, not all compromise is equal. Giving ground on budget allocations or regulatory details can be constructive, but compromising on fundamental rights such as voting access, bodily autonomy, or equal protection under the law is unacceptable.

True compromise should never mean abandoning core values or sacrificing the dignity of marginalized communities. The goal should be principled negotiation that seeks to find common ground where possible while holding firm on protecting rights, justice and the public good.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

The constitutional power of the House to originate all revenue bills is one of the most direct ways Representatives can shape national priorities, and I would use it to put people over special interests. If elected, I would approach this responsibility with the conviction that every dollar we raise and spend must reflect our values, making healthcare affordable, strengthening public education, addressing the housing crisis and investing in a clean energy future.

Too often, tax policy has been written to benefit corporations and the wealthiest few, while working families are left behind. Originating revenue bills gives the House the ability to flip that script. I would fight for a tax structure that asks the ultra-wealthy and powerful corporations to pay their fair share, and for budgets that channel resources back into communities, not lobbyists’ pockets. In short, this power is not just procedural, but instead, it’s a tool to build a fairer economy and a government that works for everyone.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House should use its investigative powers to serve the public, not to engage in political theater. These powers exist to hold government agencies, elected officials and even private corporations accountable when misconduct, abuse or corruption is suspected. Investigations should focus on protecting taxpayers, safeguarding democracy and ensuring that federal programs deliver on their promises.

When used responsibly, oversight uncovers waste and wrongdoing, shines light on issues the public deserves to know about and pressures leaders to correct course. It should never be about scoring partisan points but about defending the integrity of our institutions and restoring trust that government works for the people.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

One story that has stayed with me is that of a young woman facing infertility. She and her husband both worked tirelessly, yet the cost of IVF remained far beyond their reach. Her father offered to loan her $25,000 so she could pursue treatment, a gesture that carried both hope and sacrifice. When her cycle ended with no viable embryos, the devastation was compounded by the weight of that debt. Her father still expected repayment, and to this day she continues to make payments on a dream that never came to be.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is turning my own health struggles into a force for change. Living with a complex health condition taught me firsthand how isolating and disempowering it can feel when the system overlooks you. Instead of letting that break me, I used it to fuel my work as a nurse, consultant, and advocate. I have helped infertility clinics redesign processes to make care more accessible and patient-centered, and I have stood with individuals and families as they navigated some of the hardest moments of their lives.

But what makes me proud is not just the professional impact. It is knowing that I have taken pain and turned it into purpose. Every time a patient feels heard, every time a family gets the care they need, every time someone realizes they are not alone, I am reminded why this work matters. That, to me, is the truest accomplishment.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

If elected, I would support legislation that strengthens election administration by making voting more accessible, secure and transparent. That includes ensuring automatic and same-day voter registration, expanding early voting and guaranteeing vote-by-mail options in every state. I would also push for uniform national standards that protect against gerrymandering, reduce barriers to the ballot box, and ensure independent, nonpartisan oversight of elections.

Equally important, I would fight for robust protections against voter suppression and disinformation campaigns, while investing in secure voting infrastructure and audits that build public trust. Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy, and Congress has a responsibility to make sure every eligible American can cast a ballot that is counted.