The Ballot Brief
Maricopa County, Arizona

Arizona Senate District 12

2 candidates are tracked for Arizona Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Patricia "Patty" Contreras and Anthony Jason Ramirez. Candidate information follows official Maricopa County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Patricia "Patty" Contreras (Democratic), Anthony Jason Ramirez (Independent) are on the November 3 ballot for Arizona Senate District 12. Not on the November ballot: Denise “Mitzi” Epstein, the sitting member per the roster. Declared write-in candidate Gary Hatch does not print on the ballot. Nominees were chosen at the July 28 primary or by petition/nomination for minor parties and independents. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election (Election 69) certified candidate list, as read September 10, 2026. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Arizona › Maricopa County › Arizona Senate District 12

Patricia "Patty" Contreras

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Increasing teacher pay and reducing class sizes

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Patricia "Patty" Contreras is the Democratic candidate for Arizona Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election certified candidate list. Contreras is the sister of two public school teachers, per campaign site.

Anthony Jason Ramirez

Independent

Top priorities
  • Expanding STEM education and technology career pathways
  • Protecting water resources
  • Public safety and law enforcement support

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Anthony Jason Ramirez is the Independent candidate for Arizona Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election certified candidate list. Ramirez describes himself as a parent, homeowner and small business owner running as an independent, per campaign site.

Next on your ballotArizona Senate District 13

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Arizona Senate District 12 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Arizona Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Patricia "Patty" Contreras and Anthony Jason Ramirez. Candidate information follows official Maricopa County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Arizona Senate District 12 election in Arizona?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Arizona are on the Arizona election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Maricopa County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Maricopa County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Arizona election office, or see the full Maricopa County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Maricopa County ballot

45 tracked races in Maricopa County, Arizona. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Arizona Senate District 14Arizona Senate District 15Arizona Senate District 16See all 45 Maricopa County races
Candidate profiles
Patricia "Patty" Contreras, full profileAnthony Jason Ramirez, full profileOfficial Arizona election office