Three candidates—challenger Gregg Frostrom (D) and incumbents Lupe Diaz (R) and Gail Griffin (R)—are running for two AZ House of Representatives seats for Legislative District 19, which includes Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia. Each candidate was provided questions by email. To date, the PRT has not received a reply from Frostrom or Rep. Griffin.

Name: Lupe Diaz

Residence: [Not provided]

Education/licenses/certifications/military: [Not provided]

Recent employment: [Not provided]

Community organizations/activities: [Not provided]

Previous Public Office/Service: [Not provided]

Learn more at: lupediazaz.com

What motivated you to run for office? 

As Chaplain to LD19 for 11 years I heard all the stump and campaign speeches. I witnessed how the state and churches handled the policies during Covid. It revealed that the country was headed in the wrong direction. Families suffered and their livelihood was at risk and many of their businesses closed. The way it was handled was not right. Also conservative and Christian values were not honored in the public square and in government agencies. This office allows me to represent the 97% of the people in my district. My voice and vote has made a difference over the past three years for the people in this part of Santa Cruz County. I have just completed my third year as your State representative, I serve on the Education, the Appropriations and  the Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee of which I  am chairman. I am running for re-election because I love doing this job. 

Describe any efforts you would make as a legislator that would directly benefit Eastern Santa Cruz County.

Eastern Santa Cruz County has several areas that describe it. Some of the top interests and concerns are, 

A. South32 mine in Patagonia and the challenge of the roads used for the trucks that will utilize them. 

B. The ranchers have their land use challenges and vineyards are now shareholders in the area. 

C. Fentanyl and Illegal immigration has been affecting home and business break-ins.  

I will answer these in the following questions.

Who should bear the added expense of having to provide the additional emergency resources that will be required with the increased traffic on SR82 and SR83 due to the Hermosa project? 

Creating the side parking areas and passing lanes will be handled by ADOT.  ADOT will work with the mine and the people affected by it. They will do the analysis and make the recommendations. Once those are finalized we will request the funding for the projects. We have brought funding for this area over the past three years and we will continue to do so. 

Emergency funding will be supported through traditional ways, taxes, grants, and local contributions. Much of those services are paid for by taxes, including the mine tax. If the need for additional emergency funding is needed we will look at it at that time when we know what the real and anticipated needs will be. 

The universal school voucher program has come under fire for exceeding budget estimates. Should funds for these vouchers continue to be paid from the state education budget? 

Of course the ESA program should continue to be paid from the state budget. The funds are used for the education of students across the state. The reports of the ESA program breaking the overall state budget is erroneous. The budget for Arizona education is determined constitutionally. There is one line item for funding the public schools and all the education programs in the state. Parents are making a choice to educate their children with the program that best fits their needs. What is happening is the funds are transferred from the public school and used where the parent wants to educate their children; should it be a charter school, homeschool or private school.  

Do you believe that there is adequate oversight, accountability and transparency standards for the homeschooled and private school student programs? 

Yes I do believe that it has the oversight that is needed. We need to leave it alone. When the Arizona public school system is at the bottom of the education national standard, we need to change the public sector and not the private sector. Empowerment Scholarship Account for parents is a new program we need to let it play out. I am confident that we will see the results needed. If the public schools will do an excellent job and have satisfied customers (parents) they will thrive. There are several schools that are thriving because they listen to the parents. School administration needs to be careful with federal dollars and requirements attached to those federal dollars. Parents do not want the federal model of a family. They have a choice now.

Having an adequate water supply is an important issue for the residents here who are worried that our region could be affected by increased mining and development. How would you propose to monitor and regulate water usage in Arizona? 

ADWR is monitoring this right now. Please visit AZWATER.GOV. Their projection shows that there is sufficient water. The mining company has to meet all the standards used across the state where there is successful mining; otherwise they would not get approval and be issued their permits. I understand that the technology in the mining industry is improving every year. They use less water now than in previous years. We do get alerted to reports and updates. 

Given the upcoming second wave of income tax cuts in our immediate future, how do you plan to balance the state budget without shifting the burden of funding down to the counties and cities and towns in Arizona? 

What second wave of income tax cuts? We cut the income tax liability for every wage earner to a 2.5% flat tax. In a record breaking inflation environment, this tax cut is designed to help the citizens of the state to keep more money in their pocket. This is good for the cities and counties as well. Families will have more funds to spend for the items needed for their living expenses. The tax revenues from those sales will help offset some of the revenues to the cities and towns. Besides that, the Wayfair law has helped counties and cities with tax revenues over the past years as well. Remember I served as a city council member for five years. Cities and towns will adjust, like we are doing now at the state level and at home. This administration is responsible for the inflation in our country. We need a change in the administration. Vote Trump. 

We are balancing the state budget now without placing a greater burden on the cities and counties. Lowering taxes will result in more funds for families. This will cause more businesses to thrive and the state to make their budget as well. 

What do you think are the other important issues facing the constituents in Eastern Santa Cruz County and what will you do to respond to them? 

Inflation is something that people are worried about. With the state of the economy people are buying less with what they have. This is Bidenomics at work. The way we are addressing this at the state level is less taxes for the people to pay. The State is more competitive in attracting business into our area this will help with jobs and shared cost to run the services provided to residents.  

 Stopping the invasion coming through the border will certainly stop some of the costs to families. The inflation will continue as long as we have to carry the medical costs, transportation costs, education costs and welfare costs of illegal aliens. Those wanting to come into our country need to go through the process of citizenship. If you think that is taking too long then get a hold of your congressional representative.   

Most of my constituents are pro-life. The fact that protecting life is in the hands of the voters this election season is critical. What many people don’t realize is that the abortion is already on the books in Arizona. We have the 15 week access to abortion with rape, incest and the life of the mother already in place. On the other hand Proposition 139 allows for partial birth abortion by any medical person. This is open season on babies. My recommendation is a no vote on 139. 

Protecting personal property and water rights and making sure our gun laws are not infringed is something we work hard to protect.  

If you have thoughts about these issues and want to share additional concerns please go to lupediazaz.com.