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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • MPA, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management, Arizona State University, 2020
  • BA, Political Science, Arizona State University, 2006-2008
  • AA, Classical Studies, Phoenix College, 2003-2006

Professional Experience

  • MPA, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management, Arizona State University, 2020
  • BA, Political Science, Arizona State University, 2006-2008
  • AA, Classical Studies, Phoenix College, 2003-2006
  • Substitute Teacher, Tempe Union High School District, 2015-present
  • Community Voice Mail Manager, Community Information & Referral, 2009-2013
  • Customer Service Associate, Fry's Electronics, 2009
  • Field Organizer, Arizona Democratic Party, 2008
  • Political Coordinator, Ironworkers Local 75, 2008

Political Experience

  • MPA, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management, Arizona State University, 2020
  • BA, Political Science, Arizona State University, 2006-2008
  • AA, Classical Studies, Phoenix College, 2003-2006
  • Substitute Teacher, Tempe Union High School District, 2015-present
  • Community Voice Mail Manager, Community Information & Referral, 2009-2013
  • Customer Service Associate, Fry's Electronics, 2009
  • Field Organizer, Arizona Democratic Party, 2008
  • Political Coordinator, Ironworkers Local 75, 2008
  • Senator, Arizona State Senate, District 26, 2017-present
  • Candidate, Arizona State Senate, District 26, 2018
  • Representative, Arizona State House of Representatives, District 26, 2013-2017

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Children and Family Affairs Committee, Arizona State House of Representatives

Chair, Resolutions Committee, Arizona Democratic Party

Former Member, Rural and Economic Development Committee, Arizona State House of Representatives

Former Member, Transportation and Technology Committtee, Arizona State Senate

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Government Committee

Member, Natural Resources and Energy Committee

Member, Water and Agriculture Committee

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • MPA, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management, Arizona State University, 2020
  • BA, Political Science, Arizona State University, 2006-2008
  • AA, Classical Studies, Phoenix College, 2003-2006
  • Substitute Teacher, Tempe Union High School District, 2015-present
  • Community Voice Mail Manager, Community Information & Referral, 2009-2013
  • Customer Service Associate, Fry's Electronics, 2009
  • Field Organizer, Arizona Democratic Party, 2008
  • Political Coordinator, Ironworkers Local 75, 2008
  • Senator, Arizona State Senate, District 26, 2017-present
  • Candidate, Arizona State Senate, District 26, 2018
  • Representative, Arizona State House of Representatives, District 26, 2013-2017
  • Board Member, Tempe Community Council, 2013-present
  • Secretary/Treasurer, Democratic Party, District Level
  • Member, Human Services Advisory Committee, Phoenix
  • Volunteer, Valley of the Sun United Way
  • Computer Lab Instructor, Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley, 2007-2008

Other Info

Favorite Book:

Rain of Gold - Victor Villasenor

Favorite Movie:

Synecdoche, New York - Charlie Kaufman

Hobbies or Special Talents:

Juan is also an avid rock climber, hiker and advocate for the environment.

Policy Positions

Arizona State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Arizona is one of the worst states to seek an abortion in. We need to enact pro-choice measures to protect women's right to choose and strike from our laws, measures that seek to criminalize access to reproductive healthcare. Republicans have chipped away at a woman's right to choose the healthcare options that are right for her. This approach is nothing more than an attempt to exert control over women as they make some of the most important decisions of their lives. Placing restrictions on providers does not protect women's health. For abortions to remain safe, they must be legal.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Arizona's budget.

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I view taxes as promises. Promises we keep to those of the past and promises we make to those who come after us. We are still paying off past promises of investments; schools, hospitals, all kinds of infrastructure and everything we couldn't accomplish alone. If we want to continue making great things or even maintain what we already have, we would proudly invest our taxes as promises we make for those who come after us. Having lots of money shouldn't absolve you of having to account for how you benefited from others taxes or from paying it forward.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Arizona?
- Yes

7. Should local governments be permitted to impose restrictions on plastic bag use by local retailers?
- Yes

8. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Arizona?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Arizona high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing funding for the state education budget?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Arizona's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Arizona's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Arizona's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Arizona state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- We need to reign in state gifts and waste, in tax loopholes and incentives to the private prison and insurance corporations. My priorities would have us investing in ending unemployment, stagnant wages, and our widening inequality. We also need to ensure our long-term public goods are never undermined by short-term private interests. To attract business that would be beneficial to our economy I would invest in public education. The new national geography of jobs is going to be based on the communities who can turn out the most college educated.

State Bills
Speeches

Issue Position: Education

Jan. 1, 2018Other