Candidates hoping to represent District 23 in the Arizona State Legislature gathered Thursday night in Casa Grande to debate the issues.
District 23 encompasses Pinal County.
On hand for the event were the two candidates for the open Senate seat, Rebecca Rios-D and Andre Campos-R.
In addition, four candidates participated who are competing for two spots in the State House of Representatives: Ernest Bustamante-D, John Fillmore-R, Barbara McGuire-D and Frank Pratt-R.
The state legislature is responsible for making state laws, formulating funding for state programs, developing new programs and developing a state budget.
Voters will decide on Nov. 4 which of these candidates they want to represent them and their district.
Here is a look at some of the candidates’ responses to the questions of the night:
What is the first thing you would do if elected?
What’s your stance on abortion?
How have you worked with members of an opposing party?
What do you think of Prop 202?
What is the future of Pinal County?
![One of several flyers for a "TikTok rizz party" is taped to a door in the Maricopa Business Center along Honeycutt Road on April 23, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-042324-tiktok-rizz-party-flyer-web-218x150.jpg "Maricopa’s ‘TikTok Rizz Party,’ explained")
![City Manager Ben Bitter speaks during a Chamber of Commerce event at Global Water Resources on April 11, 2024. Bitter discussed the current state of economic development in Maricopa, as well as hinting at lowering property tax rates again. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-041124-ben-bitter-chamber-property-taxes-web-218x150.jpg "City gave new manager big low-interest home loan")
