What Are Your Priorities?
July 4, 2024
Last night, much of our campaign staff gathered for my mom's annual ice cream and fireworks party in Moon Valley. (We're leaders in celebrating the 4th of July here in Moon Valley!)
Today, we celebrate the 248th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with barbecues and fireworks. Amid the joy of the day, it's easy to forget all the sacrifice it's taken to not only gain our freedom but to maintain it.
Let us use this day to also remember how crucial voting is to keeping our democracy and freedom. This year, it's more important than ever to VOTE in not just our national contests, but our local elections as well!
Voting is a right that for too long was denied to too many of us, and so much is at stake.
Hi Friend,
Welcome to the post-session edition of my newsletter. While the 2024 Legislative Session ended on June 15, the work of listening to our community - and representing you continues. It's truly an honor.
This district has been my home for all my adult life. It's where I raised my two sons, taught at Greenway and Cactus High Schools for 27 years, co-founded Theater Works, volunteered with my church, earned my yoga teacher certification at Yoga Pura, and co-founded a nonpartisan voter engagement group.
I never imagined I'd be in politics, but after retiring from teaching, I learned that the state legislature had cut so much funding from public schools that teachers could no longer afford to teach in Arizona. As a result, one in three students no longer has a permanent, qualified teacher in their classroom. That horrified me. It's a disaster not only for our children but for our employees and the economy as well.
I thought "SOMEBODY should DO something about that!" I didn't imagine it would be me, but here I am.
That's my why for coming to the legislature - but I've come to care deeply about many other concerns we share as Arizonans as well. And I take my job as your representative seriously. I want to know what YOUR priorities are, too.
So I've been spending much of my time this summer canvassing our neighborhoods so I can listen to YOU. If I haven't yet knocked on your door, I'd still appreciate learning about your concerns and priorities for our community and state.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov, JudySchwiebert.com, 602-935-0468
What are YOUR priorities for Arizona?
I'm running for LD 2's State Senate seat this November because our community deserves a senator who's listening and dedicated to working for the people of our community. We can differ on policy, but we shouldn't be wasting taxpayers' time on discredited conspiracy theories. We should be working together on the issues that matter to Arizonans.
So, in addition to our monthly events and coffees, I continue to spend much of my time knocking on doors so that I know your priorities. People are telling me they want better pay for teachers and school staff, and protection for our most basic freedoms including abortion and the use of contraception. Our very personal decisions should not be made into a political game.
Many also tell me they want us to do more to address homelessness. Making housing and healthcare more affordable is a part of that, but we should also do much better at ensuring mental health and substance abuse recovery resources are available. We all want and deserve to live in a safe and thriving community.
I'm hearing also that people are concerned about climate change and the need to have a plan for a sustainable supply of clean air, water, and the environment.
What are YOUR priorities? How can I help make Arizona a better place for you and your family? Use this link to tell me your story!
LD2 North Phoenix Community Builders
Thank you Dynamic Discs!
Thank you to Jay Hagen and his business partner Damien Carpenter, owners of Dynamic Discs, 3539 W. Bell Rd, our latest local business to be named a North Phoenix Community Builder.
I was so proud to get to present Jay with a certificate of recognition at their store recently together with constituent Carla Freeman who nominated Dynamic Discs for their great work in her LD2 neighborhood.
Jay and Damien recently partnered with City Councilwoman Ann O’Brien to help transform Conocido Park at 16000 N. 31st Drive, into a more beautiful and fun space for families. In addition to planting trees, they also created a whole disc golf course there.
Invented in 1969, the game has been exploding in popularity in recent years not only as a fun game for families and sports enthusiasts but also with tournaments that offer big cash prizes. You just need a driver and a putter, and there are lots of styles. In addition to opening Dynamic Discs three years ago, Jay also provides lessons and has a podcast about the sport called Attention Deficit Disorder. Check it out!
Thank you so much Jay and Damien for making our community a better place for all of us!
Nominate Your Favorite Local Business!
As a lifelong member of our community, I'm so grateful to the many people and local businesses who make it such a great place to live. That's why I'm excited to be partnering with the Bell Road Business Alliance and Stoke Interactive to recognize many of the local Community Builders in our neighborhood.
Check out our website at LD2NPCB.com to learn more about past recipients and nominate your favorite locally-owned businesses or nonprofits in LD2. I'm honored to be a part of recognizing them in this way for the vital role they play in making our community the safe, thriving, unique place it is.
Join Our Campaign!
Thank you, Julie Stockwell!
My gratitude for my longtime friend and teaching colleague from Greenway High School, Julie Stockwell, knows no bounds. As a rockstar English teacher and Student Council advisor at Greenway High School and then teacher-trainer at WestMEC, she has spent a lifetime advocating for kids and education.
Since then, she's also been a dedicated canvassing buddy and volunteer all along this political journey for me and Stephanie. NOW, she's agreed to be a candidate for the Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board. Watch for her on your General Election Ballot this year!
Our Legislative District Will Determine the Direction of our State & Nation
We need YOU to help elect an Arizona legislature focused on the real issues we face like the teacher, affordable housing, and water shortage crises; keeping our families safe from gun violence; and reducing healthcare and other costs. Turning out voters for LD2 will help elect Democrats all the way up the ballot
Be a part of history by volunteering for our campaign today!
Join a Community Canvass. We're knocking on doors so we can listen to fellow voters about what's important to them. We want to elect listeners like Stephanie Simacek to the State House and me to the Senate who will truly represent our community Use this link to find a day and time that works for you. We'll buddy you up with someone experienced. We need door knockers and drivers.
Donate! We need everyone's help to pay for the staff, literature, and other advertising that are essential to winning these very competitive races.
Visit OUR NEW LD 2 Campaign office at 1524 W. Bell Road(behind the Discount Tire, next to the Liberty Tax office). Come help us make phone calls, write postcards, and/or launch a canvass!
Or, pick up a yard sign!
Host a House Party
Introduce Us to Your Neighbors
Be like Libby and Ed Goff who hosted a House Party to tell their neighbors about what's at stake in this election, and then encourage them to be like you and donate or volunteer. Thank you so much to the Goff's for the wonderful party they hosted on Sunday, June 2! Find out more about hosting a house party by emailing our finance manager Hayden Samples at hsamples@azdem.org.
Invite your neighbors to subscribe to this newsletter by sending them this link.
Paid for by Judy for AZ. Authorized by Judy Schwiebert