Learn more about the candidates in the Arizona Legislative District 23 Senate race: Democrat Brian Fernandez and Republican Michelle Altherr.
LD17 is a Democrat-leaning district in southwest Arizona including parts of Yuma, Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties. The district wasn’t considered competitive in the last election cycle, but a Republican won a seat in the House which Democrats hope to recover.
Brian Fernandez
Party: Democrat
Website: briansfernandez.com
Brian Fernandez is an incumbent state senator facing a challenge by a Republican political newcomer. He was appointed to mother Charlene Fernandez’s seat in the state House of Representatives in 2021. In 2022, he ran successfully for Senate, winning the general election by seven points.
Fernandez is known for his willingness to deal with both sides of the aisle at the Legislature, and occasionally supporting Republicans. On his campaign website, he lists his political priorities as water and infrastructure, education and the economy.
Michelle Altherr
Party: Republican
Website: altherrld23.com
Altherr is a political newcomer who told C-SPAN that she got involved in politics because of former President Donald Trump. Altherr lists election integrity, protecting the children, border wall, legal immigration and the economy as her political priorities.
“We are a country founded on laws and on Biblical principles. When you become a citizen, you are supposed to assimilate and abide by the laws of that country. Unfortunately, what has been set in place is doing the exact opposite,” she states. Altherr says she worked in fashion design and served in the Air Force for 15 years. She was also an Arizona delegate to the Republican National Committee.
