State Representative District 16 in Arizona State House District 16, Arizona

2026 Primary Election

• Chris Lopez — Incumbent State Representative in Casa Grande, AZ

  Chris Lopez is an Arizona State Representative for District 16, a Republican who assumed office in January 2025 after being elected in 2024. Born in Casa Grande, he is a small business owner with a background in trucking and food concessions. Lopez is seeking re-election in the 2026 Republican primary, advocating for public safety, economic strength, parental rights, and limited government. His policy interests include border security, police funding, and vocational education. He serves as vice chairman of the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, and is a member of the House Government and Health and Human Services committees. Lopez was also selected for the national Melissa Hortman Emerging Leaders Program in 2026.

• Teresa Martinez — Incumbent State Representative in Casa Grande, AZ

  Teresa Martinez is an incumbent Arizona State Representative for District 16, elected in 2022 after an initial appointment in 2021. Born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona, she is a single mother and the eldest of five. Martinez previously served as a political staffer for two Congressmen and the Arizona Secretary of State, and was the political director for the Arizona Republican Party. Her legislative priorities focus on economic development, protecting local businesses, job creation, transportation infrastructure, school choice, parental rights, election integrity, border security, Second Amendment rights, and supporting law enforcement.

• Julia Gusse — Candidate for State Representative in AZ

  Julia Romero Gusse, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former Maricopa City councilmember, is running for the Arizona House of Representatives, District 16, as a Democrat in 2026. She retired in early 2026 from her role as Legislative Policy Administrator for the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services to pursue this office. Gusse is driven by a commitment to service and accountability, aiming to secure control of the State Capitol for Democrats. Her campaign focuses on "Strong Schools, Safe Communities, and Leaders Who Put People Over Politics," with a primary emphasis on affordability, particularly addressing the high cost of housing and basic necessities.