Arizona Senate Voting Record: What Public Roll-Call Data Reveals About 2026 Candidates

The Arizona Senate Field: A Voting-Record Divide

The 2026 Arizona Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the country. Arizona, a state that has swung from reliably Republican to a battleground purple, will see a competitive open-seat race after Senator Kyrsten Sinema's retirement announcement. The candidate field currently includes Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake, with other candidates potentially entering. One of the most significant differences between these candidates is their public voting records. Gallego has a long legislative history in the U.S. House, while Lake has never held elected office. This divide means that campaigns, journalists, and voters will need to examine what public votes exist—and what they reveal about each candidate's priorities and ideological positioning.

To understand this, start with the concept of a roll-call vote. In Congress, a roll-call vote records how each member voted on a bill or amendment. These votes are public, searchable, and often used by political researchers to assess a candidate's record. For Senate candidates who have served in the House or state legislature, these votes provide a rich dataset. For candidates without a legislative background, researchers must look to other public records—such as statements, interviews, or positions taken in previous campaigns. This article focuses on the public voting records available for the declared 2026 Arizona Senate candidates, what those records show, and how they might be used in the campaign.

Ruben Gallego: A Progressive House Record Under Scrutiny

Representative Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona's 3rd congressional district, has served in the House since 2015. His voting record is one of the most progressive in the Arizona delegation. According to public roll-call data from sources like GovTrack and ProPublica, Gallego has voted with President Joe Biden's position on legislation over 95% of the time. He supported the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the American Rescue Plan. On social issues, he voted for the Equality Act and codifying abortion rights. On immigration, he has taken a more moderate stance than some progressives, supporting border security measures while advocating for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.

However, a voting record is not just a list of positions—it is a tool for opponents. In a general election, Gallego's record could be used to paint him as out of step with Arizona's moderate electorate. For example, his votes on energy policy—supporting the Green New Deal resolution and opposing the Keystone XL pipeline—may be used in attack ads in a state that produces significant energy resources. His vote against the 2018 farm bill, which included work requirements for food stamps, could be framed as out of touch with rural voters. Campaigns researching Gallego would examine and specific votes that could be isolated and targeted in paid media.

Kari Lake: No Legislative Record, But a History of Public Statements

Kari Lake, the Republican candidate, has never held elected office. She was a news anchor for Fox 10 Phoenix before running for governor in 2022. As a result, there is no legislative voting record to analyze. However, that does not mean there is no public record. Lake has a long history of public statements, campaign speeches, and social media posts that outline her policy positions. Researchers would examine these for consistency and for potential vulnerabilities. For example, Lake has strongly supported former President Donald Trump's election fraud claims, which could be used to question her credibility on election integrity. She has also taken hardline positions on immigration and border security, which align with the Republican base but may be tested in a general election.

The absence of a voting record is itself a strategic consideration. Lake can claim she has never voted for a tax increase or a controversial bill, but she also cannot point to a record of legislative achievements. Opponents may argue that her lack of experience means she is untested and unpredictable. In contrast, Gallego's record provides both ammunition and defense: he can point to specific votes that helped Arizona, but he also has a target on his back.

Potential Candidates and Their Voting Records

Beyond Gallego and Lake, other candidates may enter the race. On the Democratic side, Representative Greg Stanton (AZ-4) has been mentioned as a possible contender. Stanton's House voting record is more moderate than Gallego's. He voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and has a record of working across the aisle on water and drought issues. He also voted for the Respect for Marriage Act. If Stanton enters, his record could be compared directly to Gallego's, giving primary voters a clear ideological choice.

On the Republican side, former Representative Matt Salmon or others could enter. Salmon served in the House from 1995 to 2001 and again from 2013 to 2017. His voting record is reliably conservative: he voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, supported the 2017 tax cuts, and took a strong anti-abortion stance. However, his record also includes votes on immigration that may not align with the current party's hardline stance. Researchers would examine his votes on the DREAM Act and border security funding.

How Voting Records Are Used in Campaigns

Campaigns use voting records in several ways. First, they are a source of opposition research. A campaign will commission a full vote history analysis of their opponent, looking for votes that can be taken out of context or used to show a pattern of extremism. For example, a single vote against a popular bill—like the Violence Against Women Act—can be used in an attack ad, even if the candidate had a principled reason to vote no. Second, voting records are used for messaging. A campaign can point to its own record to show effectiveness or bipartisanship. Third, voting records are used in debate prep. Candidates must be prepared to defend their votes and attack their opponent's.

For the Arizona Senate race, the key battleground will be independent and moderate voters. Voting records that show a candidate as too liberal or too conservative could be decisive. Researchers would also look at voting attendance: missing votes can be used to suggest a candidate is not doing their job.

The Role of Public Data Sources

Public voting records are available from several sources. The official source is Congress.gov, which provides roll-call votes for the House and Senate. Third-party sites like GovTrack, ProPublica's Represent, and Vote Smart aggregate this data and provide analysis. For state legislative records, the Arizona State Legislature website provides voting records for state lawmakers. Researchers should be aware that not all votes are equal: some are procedural, some are on amendments, and some are final passage. A thorough analysis requires understanding the context of each vote.

Additionally, campaigns may use interest group scorecards a candidate's record. For example, the American Conservative Union (ACU) and the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) produce annual ratings. These ratings can be a quick reference but may oversimplify a candidate's record.

What the Records Show So Far

Based on public voting records as of early 2025, Ruben Gallego has a clear progressive voting record. Kari Lake has no legislative votes. Greg Stanton has a moderate record. Other potential candidates have records that fall along party lines. The challenge for campaigns is to interpret these records in a way that resonates with Arizona voters. For example, on immigration, a vote for a border security bill may be popular with general election voters but could be attacked by primary opponents as insufficiently tough.

The 2026 Arizona Senate race will be a test of how much voting records matter in a high-turnout presidential year. With a competitive primary on both sides, candidates will need to defend their records while attacking their opponents'. Researchers will be busy combing through public data to find the votes that could swing the election.

Conclusion: The Value of Voting Record Analysis

Public voting records are a foundational piece of political intelligence. They provide a factual basis for comparing candidates and understanding their priorities. For the 2026 Arizona Senate race, the contrast between a candidate with a long legislative history and one without will be a central theme. Campaigns that invest in thorough voting record analysis will be better prepared to shape the narrative and respond to attacks. As the race develops, voters and journalists alike will turn to these records to make informed decisions.