By Caitlin Sievers | AZ Mirror
In Arizona’s Legislative District 4, a GOP incumbent is trying to keep a grip on his seat by appealing to moderates, while his Democratic opponents who are working to flip the seat go after his record on abortion rights and gun control. The outcome of the District 4 race could determine if Republicans keep their slim hold on control at the legislature, or if it flips to Democratic control for the first time in more than 60 years.
Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, was Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget director before he was elected to represent District 4 in 2022. He was the top vote-getter in the race, ahead of the only Democrat that ran, Laura Terech, who didn’t seek reelection this year and resigned from the legislature in June.
This year, Gress and former Trump campaign advisor Pamela Carter are facing off against two Democratic candidates, former state Rep. Kelli Butler and Madison Elementary School Board President Karen Gresham.
LD 4 covers parts of northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The Independent Redistricting Committee rated it as a highly competitive district that leans Republican when it drew a new legislative map in 2021.
