Miranda Lopez

Miranda Lopez earned a high school diploma from the Chandler Preparatory Academy. She earned a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree from the University of Arizona in 2018 and 2025, respectively. Her career experience includes working in advocacy.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Miranda Lopez, I'm a community organizer who has worked in local and state politics in Arizona for the last eight years, including as the former Executive Director for the Pima County Democratic Party and the Southern Regional Director for the Arizona Students' Association. I also served as the local Treasurer for United Campus Workers in 2025 while I completed my Masters degree in Public Administration at the University of Arizona.

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?

Let's fully fund public education instead of wasting $1 billion+ on universal vouchers!Renters and first-time home owners deserve safe, sustainable and affordable housing options!Our water is the greatest resource we have, we must defend it from data centers and mining projects. Not only do these corporations contaminate our natural resources, they also make us pay for it by increasing our utility bills!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally very passionate about increasing the influence of unionized workers and tenants in our state. Our right-to-work laws make it difficult for unions to make headway in building power to affect negotiations, and public workers are not allowed to enter collective bargaining agreements. Right now we have thousands of public workers across Arizona who maintain the state's core functions of education and healthcare who are not allowed to demand better working conditions for themselves, and yet police unions in our major cities have collectively bargained for some of the biggest police spending increases in the country.

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

I have always looked up to my teachers, especially in elementary and high school. In elementary school, my teachers demonstrated the importance of building community and holding one another accountable. In high school, my teachers went out of their way to support their students through senior student lunches and working long hours over the weekend to help us build a stage for our senior play. My teachers have been some of the most selfless people I've ever met. They were called to public service, and they were driven by a desire to see their students grow and succeed. I want to follow their example as a public servant to improve their lives and the lives of community leaders everywhere by working hard to protect our communities from corporate interests.

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

Transparency

Reliability

Showing up

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

Listening to and representing constituents. Partnering with organizations working on the ground in marginalized communities to strategize on legislative tactics that will address wealth disparities. Live out their values by fighting for policies that reflect those values

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of having worked hard to improve our state for the hundreds of thousands of people who struggle to survive every day. I also want to leave a legacy of recruiting and empowering young leaders in Southern Arizona to run for office themselves.

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

I worked as a referee for a kids soccer club when I was about 14 or 15 years old. I believe I had that job for less than a year, working on weekends. At my next job in college, I worked as a writing tutor for three years.

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

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and I believe this is something I've had my whole life. My symptoms worsened in college and caused severe depression, something I had never experienced before. Over the last 10 years, after different medications and therapists, I've finally figured out the best dosage and cognitive behavioral therapy tools that help me function on a daily basis. I've learned to see my anxiety as a side effect of my emotional sensitivity, which is actually one of my strengths. Because of this, and because of the personal loss I have experienced, I am a huge advocate for mental health treatment and reform.

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

The governor and state legislature exist to hold one another accountable. While they can put pressure on one another in different ways, they have to agree with one another to pass the state budget. The ideal relationship should be one of mutual respect with differing priorities having to find effective solutions that benefit all Arizonans.

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 balancing the budget while maintaining critical services like education and healthcare. It will be difficult to reinstate a progressive tax system, and we will need a strong, progressive front to make headway on critical issues like affordable housing, healthcare access, public education and water protections.

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

Compromise is a huge part of policymaking. However, compromising does not mean one should sacrifice their own personal values like equity and justice. Everything you do as a policymaker must reflect your own values as well as the values of your constituents. Lawmakers who cede ground on these foundational principles are not willing to fight for the people they represent.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

As of May 7th, I have been endorsed by the Communication Workers of America Arizona State Council, CWA Local 7000, Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, and the Tucson Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America. Please check my website for any new endorsements.

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

I somewhat remember 9/11, having been six at the time and seeing the footage on the television on that night's news broadcast. However, I vividly remember the subsequent war in Iraq and the 2004 election. I felt a strong sense of patriotism and nationalism as I was growing up, and as a child I firmly believed that the United States was the best country in the world.