The Ballot Brief
Yuma County, Arizona

Arizona House District 23

4 candidates are tracked for Arizona House District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gary Garcia Snyder, Michele Peña, Emilia Cortez and Mariana Sandoval. Candidate information follows official Yuma County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Gary Garcia Snyder (Republican), Michele Peña (Republican), Emilia Cortez (Democratic), Mariana Sandoval (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Arizona House District 23 (2 seats; vote for up to 2); Michele Peña, Mariana Sandoval are sitting members, per the azleg.gov member roster (57th Legislature). 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. Voters choose 2; the top 2 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Michele Peña, Mariana Sandoval.

Arizona › Yuma County › Arizona House District 23

Gary Garcia Snyder

Republican

Top priorities

  • Prioritize education
  • Stay accessible to constituents

Per the KYMA.

Biography

Gary Garcia Snyder is the Republican candidate for Arizona House District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election certified candidate list. He describes himself as a community-focused candidate who wants to prioritize education and remain accessible to residents, per KYMA. No campaign website was found as of September 10, 2026; the Secretary of State's certified candidate listing is the only verifiable source for Gary Garcia Snyder.

Michele Peña

RepublicanIncumbent

Biography

Michele Peña is the Republican candidate for Arizona House District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election certified candidate list. She is the sitting representative for the district, per the azleg.gov member roster (57th Legislature).

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Emilia Cortez

Democratic

Top priorities

  • Representing the district's Latino community

Per KYMA.

Biography

Emilia Cortez is a bilingual public affairs professional running for Arizona House District 23, per her campaign site. She currently serves as an Economic Development Specialist with the Quechan Indian Tribe and holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration and an MBA with a minor in Leadership.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Mariana Sandoval

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

  • Strong public schools and affordable health care
  • Safe, affordable housing and good-paying jobs
  • Clean air and water access

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Mariana Sandoval is the Democratic candidate for Arizona House District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election certified candidate list. She is the sitting representative for the district, per the azleg.gov member roster (57th Legislature), and describes herself as a working-class wife, mother and community member.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotArizona House District 25

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Arizona House District 23 in 2026?

4 candidates are tracked for Arizona House District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gary Garcia Snyder, Michele Peña, Emilia Cortez and Mariana Sandoval. Candidate information follows official Yuma County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Arizona House District 23 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 Yuma 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 Yuma County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Yuma County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Arizona Senate District 23Arizona Senate District 25See all 4 Yuma County races
Candidate profiles
Gary Garcia Snyder, full profileMichele Peña, full profileEmilia Cortez, full profileMariana Sandoval, full profileOfficial Arizona election office