Mary Rose

Mary Rose earned a high school diploma from Apollo High School and a bachelor's degree from Ottawa University in 1994. Her career experience includes working in business.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a third-generation AZ native. I grew up on the west side of Phoenix and Glendale and moved to the east valley 45 years ago. I attended public schools and received a solid education, thanks to many wonderful teachers.

My parents taught my two older brothers and me to be honest and loyal, to put in a hard day's work, and to help those in need.

I spent 24 years at Motorola, worked for Honeywell, and finished my career at General Dynamics. I led teams, managed programs, and learned a lot about business from both sides of the table. Since retiring, I have stayed busy volunteering for the Town of Gilbert, United Food Bank, Feed My Starving Children, the Higley Center for Performing Arts, the Chandler Center of the Arts, and Saving One Life Animal Rescue.

I am seeking election to the Arizona State House in LD14 because I believe Gilbert and Arizona deserve a future defined by opportunity, stability, and renewal. Our community is growing, but growth without a plan is a burden; I am running to ensure that growth works for everyone and that the government returns to "By the People, For the People."

At the heart of everything I care about is a simple belief: Arizona works best when we look out for one another. Whether it’s housing, wages, education, or water, I’m driven by a commitment to fairness and long-term responsibility.

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?

Real Solutions for Affordable Housing

Arizona has seen rapid growth in luxury apartment construction, but the supply of affordable units has not kept pace with demand. Many communities report rising rents, limited availability of starter homes, and long waitlists for affordable housing programs. Our first responders, teachers, and many of our young college students struggle with the possibility that they may never be able to buy a home.

We need to increase the supply of diverse, attainable housing options. My goal is to expand or create programs that will allow more affordable housing.Investing in Our Public Schools and Taxpayer Accountability

Schools are the heart of our community. We must fund public schools fairly and adequately. I will work toward increasing per-student funding and ensuring that resources are used for the classrooms that need them most.

Arizona’s teachers shouldn’t have to choose between their passion for teaching and a livable wage. We must support and retain great teachers, which can be accomplished with competitive pay, continued professional development, and respect.

I will work to restore the original intent of the ESA program – supporting students with special needs and those in underserved districts, while ending the lack of transparency that has led to the misuse of public funds.Water Conservation and Securing our Water

We live in a desert. Water is a precious resource. Arizona’s long term water stability is a major concern as drought, population growth, and climate pressures strain supplies. Individuals and our business partners must be the stewards of water conservation.

We can do this in the following ways:

Enforcing urban water budgets to reduce waste, modernizing infrastructure to prevent leaks and improve efficiency, protecting shared aquifers through regional cooperation, and expanding reuse, recharge, and conservation technologies.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe healthcare workforce shortages are one of the most severe issues facing both patients and physicians. These shortages cause longer wait times for appointments and once the patient arrives.

Physicians are oftentimes overbooked and cannot sustain the current patient loads. This leads to high turnover rates for nurses, PA's, and MA's.

These issues apply not only to physical healthcare but also to mental healthcare. We have to strengthen the pipeline in order to increase the number of providers. Arizona trains fewer doctors, nurses, and behavioral health specialists per capita than any other state.

We need to recruit, train, and retain healthcare workers. With a focus on rural and underserved areas.

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

I look up to Barack Obama. He is an amazing orator, a fair man who ran this country for eight years without a single scandal. He brought the country back together at a time when it was falling apart. He led with calm strength and empathy. He respected people who disagreed with him and worked to find solutions across the aisle. He gave us hope, and that is what I want to do.

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

I believe honesty, transparency, and a willingness to listen to all sides of an issue are important characteristics for elected officials.

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

The core responsibilities of a State Legislator should be lawmaking and policy development, oversight and accountability, budgeting and appropriations, and representation of the people of my district.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a legacy of making life better for the people who trusted me to serve them. I want to be remembered as someone who listened deeply, led with integrity, and never forgot where I came from. My hope is that long after my time in office, families feel safer, communities feel stronger, and people believe their voices mattered. If I can leave behind a culture of fairness, compassion, and responsible stewardship for future generations, then I will have done my job.

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

I worked in a retail clothing store. I was there for 2 years and worked my way up to assistant manager.

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

I am disheartened by the divisiveness that has become the norm in this country. The decades of blood, sweat, and tears that have allowed people to live the lives they deserve without fear or retribution. The rights we have fought so hard for- women's rights, the right to choose, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, and civil rights have all been torn down, and it will take years for us to restore all of them. The loss of our allies and our integrity as a country. I struggle with all of these things and hope beyond all hope that we will see them again.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The relationship should be built on respect and shared responsibility. They should work together but maintain their independence. There should be regular, honest communication. The Governor and Legislature relationship must include healthy negotiation that focuses on solving problems and creating the best resolutions for the people of our state.

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

Arizona faces several major challenges in the decade ahead. Our most urgent issues include water security as the Colorado River continues to shrink, extreme heat and climate impacts that threaten public health and infrastructure, and housing affordability as costs outpace wages. We must also strengthen education and workforce development to prepare students for a changing economy, expand healthcare access—especially in rural and behavioral‑health settings—and ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with rapid growth. Addressing these challenges will require long‑term planning, responsible stewardship, and a commitment to solutions that put Arizona families first.

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

Yes, I think that compromise is necessary and desirable. No single person or party should get what they want. There have to be checks and balances, negotiations, differing opinions, and then a coming together of ideas and thoughts that benefit the people we serve. When we listen to each other, negotiate in good faith, and focus on solving problems instead of scoring political points, we pass better laws that benefit our constituents.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

AFSCME, AZ List, Equality AZ, College Dems of AZ, Chandler Gilbert Indivisible, Candidate award citation from Moms Demand Gun Sense

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

JFK was assassinated. I was five years old; my mom was watching As the World Turns when Walter Cronkite came on with the announcement. I remember my mom screaming and crying. JFK had come through Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport when he was running for President. My parents took us to see him. As he walked through, my mom shook his hand, and he kissed me on the cheek.