Judy Stahl

Judy Stahl was born in Chicago, Illinois. She earned an associate degree from Marshalltown Community College in 1978, a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1983, and a master's degree from Prescott College in 2004. Stahl's career experience includes working as a counselor, coach, educator, and licensed massage therapist.[1]

Judy Stahl did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Judy Stahl is a proud American. Her family has a long history of military and community service to this country. As a health care provider for over forty years, Judy has carried on that dedication to helping others. Judy raised her family in Prescott where she has lived, volunteered, and run her own business since 1992. During the course of her long career, Judy has worked with people of all ages and needs, including pediatric oncology patients and Olympic gold medalists. Judy led the successful campaign to create statewide licensure for her profession. She was appointed by Governor Napolitano to the State Board of Massage Therapy and became Chair. She is Past National President of the American Massage Therapy Association, which currently represents 100,000 professionals. Judy earned her first college degree by age 18 and has a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology. Judy has a proven track record of leadership, teamwork, and results. When elected, Judy will focus on education, health care, and economic prosperity with a focus on environmental responsibility. Judy has lived a blessed life and desires to give back. She is committed to being a strong voice in the State House to represent all residents of LD1.

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?

My concerns for my district and our state rise above party. I am concerned about a pandemic that has infected over 8 million Americans and has left over 217 thousand Americans dead. And still there is no coordinated plan to protect our citizens, our economy, our education system, and our social engagement. Our Governor has failed to lead and we will suffer until we address and suppress the virus. As a health professional since 1978, I will work to protect public health so we can all move forward safely.Education is the number one continuing issue among Arizona voters. It is the job of the Legislature to determine the state budget. Only changing the leadership of the state legislature will allow us to write laws and policies that will remedy the shameful state of public school funding. Arizona is 49th in the U.S. in school spending per pupil. This endangers our economy, our safety, and our future. When elected, funding public education will be my top priority.I am very good with people! have a record of producing results. I have a history of success at the state legislature as a citizen, as a volunteer, representing my profession in the process of creating statewide licensure for my profession. This was a 7-year long process and required us to gain the support of legislators on both sides of the aisle. To succeed, we were required to have 2/3 of both the State Senate and House vote yes on our bill, not just a simple majority. When elected, I will bring my skills, as a therapist and counselor, to the work of having the tough policy discussions to move our state forward into a positive, productive future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about elevating our political discourse and the level of our transparency to the citizens we represent. I want to making sure we have affordable health care for all, fully funded public education, environmental protections or our precious natural environment, including ensuring that we protect our precious water, our air quality, and that we manage the inevitable growth in our state with a sharp eye to protecting our environment for generations to come.

I am passionate about making sure that we have a quality of life second to none in Arizona. I want people to come to our state and my gorgeous district and experience joy, healing, and rejuvenation. It is the job of an elected leader to represent the voices of those who may otherwise have no representation. As a citizen in a district where my voice has not been represented for decades, I am very aware of the need to be fair-minded and represent everyone. I am the Common Ground Candidate. My hashtag on Twitter is #StahlForAll.

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

I look up to Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand. She led her country- with care and caution- to success over the deadly worldwide coronavirus pandemic. She used clear communication and transparency. She respected the science, the experts, and the facts. She shared with her citizens what was happening in the decision-making and she continues to this day. She is a true servant leader, laser-focused on protecting the citizens she represents. I would follow her example so that we can open our economy, our education system, and our social engagement and get back to living full and free lives again.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/09/21/new-zealand-an-early-success-story-set-ease-most-restrictions-once-again-second-outbreak-slows/

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

The most important characteristics or principles for an elected official are honesty, humility, intelligence, optimism, and persistence. These are characteristics and principles that I espouse and reflect. When elected, I will help move my district and my state forward reflecting our shared values as Americans.

What legacy would you like to leave?

In recent years, our country has been tested as rarely before by divisive politics with lack of respect for truth, rule of law, or our charge to form a more prefect union. 2020 is a year like no other with our country suffering through a pandemic that has decimated our families and communities while leadership, common sense, and compassion have been sorely lacking.

The legacy I would like to leave is that of a concerned citizen who stepped up fearlessly when my heart said it is time to serve my country. I want my children and grandchildren, and your children and grandchildren, to be able to enjoy the blessings of a free country where our values our reflected in a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people."

What is your favorite book? Why?

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

Dickens writes about the struggles of the human condition, under the most difficult of circumstances. This book inspires me that, when called upon, human beings can become our best selves. We can demonstrate courage, sacrifice, integrity, and valor. Through selfless love, we can show concern for the least among us. We can be the heroes in our lives and leave a better world for our children and future generations. There is no higher calling in the world that this.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that it is extremely helpful if state legislators have some previous experience in government or politics. In my case, I have never held public office before, but my experience as a citizen activist with seven years of experience leading to success in passing state legislation gives me a great advantage over one who has never been involved in politics. I will be able to hit the ground running. Respect that there is much for me to learn, I will not be afraid to take action. I am very well aware of the power of the vote. I know that it will be up to me to be persuasive with my fellow legislators to move my issues forward. This will involve expert communication, a focus on the desired result and not on egos. Frankly, with my experience, I am 'chomping at the bit' to have a seat at the table to represent my district!

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Arizona's greatest challenge over the next decade will be ensuring that we fulfill the charge of our state Constitution: The legislature shall enact such laws as shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a general and uniform public school system. This means that we will provide and *maintain* an education system that provides for a 'general', that means everyone, and 'uniform', that means equal, public education. If we do this, we will have our priorities in the right place and issues related to the economy, healthcare, the environment, and social justice will flow harmoniously from this primary commitment to the education of our children.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor an independent redistricting commission which includes a good system of checks and balances. In Arizona, one party has been in the majority for years and our redistricting has been marred by gerrymandering. We must ensure that the districts fairly reflect the citizens who live in them.

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