Only the Arizona Republicans would embarrass the purpose of civic recognition by bestowing the Senate Freshman of the Year designation to 9/11 conspiracy supporter, MAGA Kool-Aid Drinker, book-banning fan, and Great Replacement Theory subscriber Arizona Legislative District (LD) 17 State Senator Justine Wadsack, a person who may or may not live in the district she is supposed to serve and was the subject of a recall effort earlier this year.
Democrats, seeing an opportunity to enlist the support of their own voters along with Independents and like-minded Republicans have recruited attorney and financial services expert Jane Fry to campaign for the seat currently held by Wadsack in the 2024 elections.
Saying she is the right choice for LD 17, Ms. Fry is running on:
“Protecting our freedoms, fully funding public schools, securing our water supply, and balancing our books are the keys to creating an Arizona that works for everyone. It’s time we take control of Arizona’s future and I’m ready to work for you.”
If elected in 2024, she pledges to legislate fairly and, unlike the current incumbent, focus on important policy issues that will actually help Arizona’s families.
Ms. Fry graciously took the time to respond to questions about her candidacy for the Arizona State Senate seat in LD 17.
The questions and her responses are below.
- Please tell the readers at least two reasons you have decided to run for the State Senate in LD 17 in 2024.
“One big reason is our state is facing a significant budget shortfall due to poor financial decisions made by Republicans in the State Legislature. All of us in the state are suffering as a result of that. When the budget was passed by lawmakers last June, they expected to have a ten-million-dollar surplus by the end of the fiscal year. Today, we are looking at a forecasted deficit of 400 million dollars. It is a priority of mine to restore fiscal responsibility in the legislature and I believe that I have the background and experience to get us back on track on that front.”
“Another important reason is that our current LD 17 representation is focused on the wrong things. They’re focused on dividing us through culture wars. They want to ban books. They want to harm the LGBTQ+ community. They want to continue chipping away at our reproductive freedom. They are defunding our already poorly funded public schools. This is a huge distraction from the real needs of our state. I feel strongly about putting a stop to that.”
- What are at least three public policy issues you will be running on in 2024?
“Fiscal responsibility is a key priority. It is time to hold our legislature accountable for the decisions they make. When I go out and talk with voters, the thing I hear the most is concern about the cost of living. The state has been falling short of projections and with the deficit that we are projecting for the coming fiscal year, it is critical that we revisit and reevaluate our fiscal priorities. We need to reinvest in our communities. We need to prioritize children’s education. We need to focus on the well-being of everyday Arizonans. We have to find a way to lighten the load for people.”
“Water Security also is a big issue for me. Our current Republican leaders are allowing groundwater to be pumped by foreign corporations. We need to start taking decisive action to figure out how we are going to address a water plan for the state before it’s too late. We owe that to our kids and grandkids.
“Individual freedoms are a major priority for me. Last year, Arizonans saw their right to an abortion stripped away with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We need representatives in the State legislature who believe in and will work to ensure that our personal freedoms around healthcare access are respected. We need to elect pro-equality legislators so we can put a stop to the cruel LGBTQ+ legislation that’s being proposed and passed.”
On Protecting Access to the Ballot Box.
“It’s regrettable to see how hard it is to cast a vote in our current environment. I think there is an education piece that probably needs to happen. Part of my campaign is going to be knocking on as many doors as I possibly can for the next year to make sure people understand how to vote, where to vote, and how important it is for all of us to exercise that right.”
On Funding Law Enforcement.
“Absolutely! It’s a key priority for us to keep our communities safe. I live in Oro Valley and I’ve met with the police chief here. I understand what her team is trying to do for the community. I admire the work that they do. I think it’s important for the next legislature, when looking at our state’s fiscal situation, to go line by line through our budget and make sure we are funding important resources for our communities. That includes law enforcement. That includes education. Those are definitely priorities.”
On a Secure Border.
“Yes, absolutely. We are in a district in Southern Arizona. We must be committed to the security of the border. We also must be sensitive to the humanitarian crisis. The federal government has a big role in that and we’re going to have to work with them to make sure we are approaching the issues as best we can from the perspective of those most impacted as well as those trying to do that work. Arizonans deserve some swift and decisive action. It is appropriate to hold our leaders accountable for how we best achieve border security and ensure the safety and well-being of families and children.”
To what extent do you blame the fiscal situation the state is currently in on the ESA (voucher) expansion?
“The voucher situation is regrettably out of control. When the program was adopted, it was adopted without limits. There are very few things we can do in our lives without limits. While I think there is a place for voucher programs for certain populations/ individuals, clearly a voucher system without any limits, without any accountability, without any standards, without any reporting requirements, is not one that serves our kids or our communities well.”
- Why should voters in LD 17 pick you over your opponent in 2024? Please explain.
“I have years of experience. I am a business leader. I am an attorney. I worked in financial services for thirty years. I have worked with big budgets. I have made hard decisions. I also am a parent. I worked hard to raise and put my kids through school. I know what that’s like and what it means to have to cut costs. I care deeply about our democracy and making sure we have a clean and secure water supply for the next generation. I care deeply about individual freedom and making sure our kids get the best possible education. These are issues that resonate with most Arizonans. I will focus on them and on making things work better for all of us.”
- Please explain how your campaign will persuade Democrats, Independents, and like-minded Republicans to support you in 2024. Please explain.
“We will meet people where they are, talk about what concerns they have, talk about solutions we can bring to the table. I think folks are frustrated. I’m frustrated. I think speaking to people about practical issues that impact them every day is going to resonate whether you’re a Democrat, an Independent, or a Moderate Republican.”
“At the end of the day, the state’s business is business. We should hold our legislators accountable to that business — and that business includes making sure we have safe communities, making sure we have clean water, making sure our constituents can vote in a way that is easy and accessible, making sure we have the individual freedoms that we all want, and making sure our schools are well-funded. We all want to be able to live safely in our communities. Those are the messages that I plan to share. Those are the things I value and that are important to me. And I think those are values shared with many of the voters in my district.”
Are Independents and Like-Minded Republicans the key to victory in 2024?
“Yes, I think that’s key. In LD 17, yes, and also across the country.”
- Is there anything not covered in the first four questions that you would like the readers to know about you and your candidacy for the State Senate Seat in LD 17? Please explain.
“I would just say again that as a voter and a person who wants a functioning government, leadership, and accountability need to be reemphasized in the State Legislature. All of us deserve to be represented fairly. We deserve to have our rights respected. And we need to do that in a way that is fiscally responsible. We’re all trying the best we can. We’re trying to make ends meet. We’re trying to give our kids the best opportunities. Let’s have a government that supports that. Let’s have a legislature that supports that.”
Please click on the below social media sites to find out more information about Jane Fry and her candidacy for the LD 17 Arizona State Senate seat.
https://www.facebook.com/JaneFryAZ/
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