State Representative District 8 in Arizona State House District 8, Arizona

2026 Primary Election

• Donald Hawker — retired computer programmer in Tempe, AZ

  Donald Hawker, a 66-year-old retired computer programmer with a B.S. in Math from Old Dominion University, is a widower and father of one child. Running in the 2026 Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 8, Hawker states his motivation is to serve the public better than past officeholders by being hardworking, honest, and true to principles. He firmly defends Republican platform tenets and expresses a strong aversion to compromising with the Democratic party, which he believes disregards the rule of law. Hawker's key policy positions include establishing legal protection based on biological truth, preventing the national popular vote from nullifying Arizona's electoral process, and blocking federal interventions like Common Core into state affairs.

• Janeen Connolly — Incumbent State Representative in Tempe, AZ

  Janeen Connolly is an incumbent Democratic State Representative for Arizona's District 8, having assumed office in January 2025. A long-time resident of Tempe, she is seeking re-election in the July 2026 Democratic primary. Prior to her legislative service, Connolly spent 27 years as a government relations representative for Salt River Project and also taught at Arizona State University. She emphasizes her experience in building relationships and advocating for the community. Her legislative priorities include affordability, job creation, affordable housing, and ensuring reliable and sustainable energy, while also championing education, workforce development, consumer protection, and healthcare.

• Brian Garcia — Incumbent State Representative in Tempe, AZ

  Brian Garcia, a first-generation graduate of Tempe public schools and a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, is an incumbent State Representative for Arizona's District 8. His public service includes leadership on the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board, working for the U.S. House of Representatives, and serving as a staff attorney for unaccompanied children. With a law degree from ASU, he champions public education, affordable healthcare, reproductive freedom, affordable housing, and voting rights. Garcia, currently a Senior Manager at All Voting is Local, is seeking re-election to continue fighting for his community and families.

• Claudia Kline — President, Young Democrats of Arizona in Phoenix, AZ

  Claudia Kline, born and raised in Arizona, is a passionate advocate running for the Arizona House of Representatives for District 8. She holds a Master’s in Social Justice and has nearly a decade of experience working for accessible and accountable government, focusing on co-governance and community-centered leadership. Kline has organized for affordable housing, public education, climate action, and reproductive rights, and served as Executive Director of Rural Liberation. She has also led the Young Democrats of Arizona and the Maricopa County Young Democrats. Her vision for Arizona emphasizes compassion, accountability, and shared governance, believing in empowering communities for a more just and equitable state.