Lorena Austin
Lorena Austin, a fifth-generation Arizonan with deep roots in Mesa, has dedicated their life to advocacy and leadership. Lorena’s grandparents owned and operated Albert’s Market in the Washington/Escobedo Park neighborhood for decades, known for serving all in their community. Their father is a local civil rights attorney, and their mother is a former social worker and teacher. Lorena is most inspired by their grandmother, Margarita Navarro, whose tireless work ethic as a farmworker taught Lorena to work hard and show up for their family and community. Raised by a family committed to community service, Lorena learned the value of hard work and compassion early on. Despite facing financial struggles during their childhood, their family’s resilience and determination instilled in them a drive to make a difference.
After graduating from Mesa Community College and later earning a degree in U.S. & Mexican Regional Immigration Policy, summa cum laude, from Arizona State University, Lorena embarked on a diverse career spanning the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Their work with Verizon’s Innovative Learning Program and a decade of working within the Maricopa County Community College District demonstrates their devotion to enhancing education and amplifying student voices.
As a proud Mesa native, Lorena has remained actively engaged in their community, volunteering with various organizations. Their dedication to activism extends to their role as a State House Representative in Arizona, where they have tirelessly fought for access to abortion, funding Pre-K-20 public schools, and championed LGBTQ+ rights. In their first term, Lorena was able to secure $40 million dollars for the Arizona Promise Program, which helps fund college education for Arizona students.
Driven by their firsthand experience of the housing challenges in Mesa, Lorena is working to create more affordable housing options in their district. Their efforts include advocating for the construction of smaller, more affordable homes to address the pressing need for housing.
As a State House Representative, Lorena’s advocacy extends to critical issues such as ensuring abortion access, preserving water supply, and expanding affordable housing options. Their fearlessness in confronting injustice and amplifying marginalized voices embodies their relentless pursuit of a fair and inclusive society.
Currently, Lorena serves on the State House Appropriation and Commerce committees, is the Secretary of the Latino Caucus, and is a member of the LGBTQ+ Caucus.
Driven by a vision of progress and equity, Lorena Austin continues to inspire positive change by bringing the voice of their community to Arizona’s social and political landscape.
On the Issues
Education
Education must be a priority for Arizona. We can no longer afford to be ranked #49 in education funding per pupil. Currently, Arizona ranks #50 in teacher pay. Our P-20 education deserves quality educators who are supported by their state. Arizona’s children deserve a quality education regardless of the district or community they are a part of.
Affordable Housing
The current rising housing costs have left many residents of Mesa in limbo. Residents who once saw a future of owning a house now face the real possibility of relocation. We must work with the state to reinstate community housing, allowing cities to work with local stakeholders to create equitable living opportunities for all residents.
Community Resources
For many families, public investments into the community pave the way for people to thrive. This type of programming provides a way to empower families and individuals to attain self-sufficiency with the right to live with dignity.
Healthcare
Millions of Americans are without medical insurance. We must support the passage nationally by Congress of Medicare for All. At the state level, offering a public option through Medicaid to all Arizonans makes sense. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is one of the best-run Medicaid programs in the nation. It is imperative that we build on that success by allowing every Arizonan to affordably buy into the program. In addition, the United States continues to be the only developed country that does not guarantee paid family leave to workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us this policy is one of the most impactful ways to support our working families.
Climate Change
The policies we enact to fight Climate change will define the survival of future generations. Arizona’s 20-year drought lacks sustainable policies and plans to ensure responsible water usage. It is necessary to develop solutions that prioritize our community’s health and hold accountable developers and corrupt utilities who negatively impact our shared water supply by putting profits over people.
Water
Experiencing a 20-year drought in Arizona has made access to clean water a priority and the climate justice fight of our lifetime. We need solutions now that prioritize the health of our community over the profit motives of developers and corrupt utilities who are depleting and poisoning our shared water supply. Investing in clean energy will not only positively impact our environment but will also create good-paying clean energy jobs.
Why This Race Is Important
Democrats must reelect all of their incumbents and pick up two additional seats to win control of the AZ House for the first time since 1966. Rep. Austin is a must-win in a district that has been trending more Democratic over the past decade. We must first protect all of our incumbents and then expand the map into other legislative districts and this seat is one of the most vulnerable.
Election Timeline
Last day to register for primary: July 1, 2024
Deadline to request absentee ballot (primary) July 19, 2024
Date of primary: July 30, 2024
Last day to register for general: October 7, 2024
Deadline to request absentee ballot (general) October 25, 2024
Date of general: November 5, 2024
About the District
The district is located in the Greater Mesa area, just Southwest of Phoenix. It is considered a highly competitive district, with approximately 51.3% of the population voting Democratic and approximately 48.7% voting Republican. The district has also seen increases in its minority populations, putting it on track to become a minority-majority district in the future if current population patterns continue.
Past Results in District
2022 State Senate District 9:
Democrat: 52.71%
Republican: 47.29%
2022 State House District 9:
(Top-two win seats)
Lorena Austin (D): 26.52%
Seth Blattman (D): 25.17%
Kathy Pearce (R): 24.52%
Mary Ann Mendoza (R):23.79%
2020 Presidential Election:
Democrat: 51.72%
Republican: 45.90%%
2020 Senate
Kelly: 54.40%
McSally: 45.60%
About the Opponent
Mary Ann Mendoza is a MAGA Republican, being one of former President Donald Trump’s ‘Angel Mom’s. Mary Ann was featured in a recent Fox News article stating Americans should expect brazen crimes like the one against the NYPD officers to keep happening around the country with the surge of illegal immigration. In 2022, Mary Ann had photos of herself in blackface surface on social media, in which Republican Allies in Arizona came to her defense. In 2020, the RNC pulled Mary Ann as a speaker after she shared antisemitic conspiracies on social media.
Kylie Barber is a younger, Turning Point candidate running against Lorena. Kylie believes in God, Guns, and “securing our border”. Kylie previously worked for the Children’s Action and has a master’s in Law from Loyola.
Why Arizona is important
Democrats need 2 seats in the State House and Senate to gain a majority and a Democratic trifecta! We must re-elect Lorena to the State House to defend democracy and protect abortion in this important Presidential & US Senate battleground state.
Candidate in the News
In West Mesa, a legislator reaches across the aisle, while challenging gender norms
“In this space, that has been nothing short of horrifying to people like Lorena, it takes an immense amount of courage and bravery to do that job. And at a time when you see a horrific resurgence of attacks from the far right on queer people,” De Los Santos said. “To be able to speak to the attacks on a personal level — it’s really powerful to hear on the floor.”
Kristi Noem Is In The Doghouse w. Rep. Lorena Austin
“Rep. Lorena Austin joins to talk about abortion and how Arizonans can protect reproductive healthcare in November.”
Historic Firsts: Arizona State Rep. Lorena Austin on LGBTQ+ Representation, Dress codes, More.
‘Empowering our people’: How Arizona’s only nonbinary legislator fights for all communities