LD 15 primary candidates running unopposed

Candidates for the Arizona Legislative District 15 primary on July 21 are set.

In the Senate race, incumbent Jake Hoffman faces no challengers in the Republican primary. Jayme Accalia is unchallenged in the Democratic primary.

In the race for LD 15 representative, the two incumbents are set for reelection. In the Republican primary, Neal Carter and Michael Way are running unopposed. The Democrats are not fielding a candidate.

LD 15 encompasses Queen Creek, Mesa and San Tan Valley.

Here’s a look at the candidates based on information from their campaign websites:

LD 15 Senate

Jayme Accalia (Democrat)

Jayme Accalia grew up in Mesa and moved to San Tan Valley in 2021.

She is a leader in Scouting America, volunteers with local Little League teams and advises students through the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Accalia graduated from Arizona State University with bachelor’s degree in sustainable food systems and is continuing her graduate studies.

She is concerned about the rising cost of living, lack of affordable health care, eroding individual freedoms and civil rights.

“For me, running for office is a continuation of the service I’ve tried to live by my whole life,” she stated on her website. “Instead of staying frustrated on the sidelines, I decided to step forward and try to be part of the solution.”

Jake Hoffman (Republican)

Jake Hoffman of Queen Creek is running for reelection to the state Senate.

He was elected to the Senate in 2022 and served in the state House of Representatives from 2021 to 2022. He previously sat on the Queen Creek Town Council.

Hoffman is the founding chair of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, was named 2021 National Legislator of the Year, and is the top-rated constitutional conservative legislator in Arizona.

Hoffman serves as the chairman of the Senate Government and Director Nominations committees. He is also a member of the Senate Finance committee.

Along with being elected a council member in Queen Creek, Hoffman also sat on the Higley Unified School District board and was a delegate to the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions.

Hoffman is the president and CEO of multiple technology, marketing and communications strategy-focused small businesses. He also works as CEO for Align For Freedom, a technology company that provides the grssroots digital advocacy platform, AlignAct.com.

LD 15 Representative

Neal Carter (Republican)

Neal Carter has represented Legislative District 15 since 2023. In 2021 he was appointed to LD 8.

He currently serves as vice chair of the House Rules Committee and is a member of the Commerce and Ways & Means committees.

Carter has been a resident of San Tan Valley since 2010 and works for the tech company Nuix. His community work includes acting as general counsel for both the Pinal County Republican Committee and for the San Tan Valley Advisory Council.

Carter is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and the New York University School of Law.

“Preserving individual liberty and keeping Arizona great are goals we all believe in,” according to his website. “Preserving our Southwestern heritage of self-reliance and ensuring that Arizona is a great place to live means keeping government in its lane, keeping taxes low, and defending our Constitution.”

Michael Way (Republican)

Michael Way was first elected to represent Legislative District 15 in 2024.

He is vice chair of the House Commerce committee and a member of the Appropriations and Judiciary committees.

“He has spent his career in business, not government,” according to his website. “We need bold, conservative outsiders to shake up business-as-usual and take on the political establishment, not career politicians looking for a taxpayer-paid promotion.”

Way earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, a graduate degree from Oxford University and a graduate degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law.

He and his wife, Raimee, have four children.

Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org. Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.