Mariana Sandoval

I believe that good policy begins with good information. I prioritize stakeholder meetings with scientists, researchers, public health professionals, universities, tribal communities, and other experts before drafting major policy decisions. Arizona has a lot of knowledge at places like our universities, and we should use it. I also think it’s important to listen to the people directly affected by laws, while making sure their voices are guided by the best available evidence. My job is to look at the facts, understand the science, and make choices that will actually improve people’s lives, not just follow ideology or political talking points.

I will support innovation investment by strengthening federal funding for basic and applied research, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum science, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. I will make research grants more flexible and accessible, including by expanding opportunities for universities, startups, small businesses, and regional innovation hubs. I will also support modernizing research infrastructure, strengthening partnerships among federal laboratories, universities, and industry, and improving pathways for federally funded discoveries to become new technologies, businesses, and jobs. At the same time, I will protect rigorous peer review and scientific independence so that funding decisions are based on research quality and potential impact. These investments can help maintain U.S. leadership in science and technology while creating opportunities for researchers and entrepreneurs nationwide.

Arizona should keep growing, but not at the expense of our water, health, or environment at risk. We need stronger protections for groundwater and aquifers, more investment in conservation and water-reuse technology, and to ensure data centers use water sustainably and rely on clean energy. Mining companies must be held responsible for keeping our land and water free from pollution. To deal with extreme heat, we should invest in shade, cooling, more trees, worker heat safety (I introduced a bill), and affordable energy so everyone can keep their homes cool. We can encourage economic growth, but new industries should help support the infrastructure and resources they rely on.

Yes, the most effective way to stop outbreaks is to invest in public health before problems start. This includes supporting vaccination programs, making vaccines easy to access and affordable, strengthening local health departments, improving disease tracking, and ensuring families get reliable information from trusted doctors. The 2025 measles outbreak in Arizona showed how fast an infectious disease can spread if cases are missed.

I believe we have a responsibility to protect children online, but we also have to respect families’ rights and the Constitution. Social media companies should take responsibility for how their platforms impact young people’s safety and well-being, especially when their algorithms are built to keep users engaged. I support protections that fit different ages, more openness about how algorithms and data are used, stronger privacy rules for kids, and better tools for parents to keep their children safe. It’s also important to help young people find trustworthy information and learn how to tell real science from misinformation.

Arizona should be investing more in our public schools. As a former school board member, I saw firsthand how underfunded our public schools are. Teachers and families are being asked to do more with too little, and our state has historically spent less per student than the national average. NCES reported Arizona’s 2022 current expenditure at $10,423 per pupil, compared with $15,308 nationally. Universal vouchers are also hurting funding for our public K-12 schools. We need to rein in the fraud and abuse of these vouchers, which serve less than 10% of the students in K-12 public schools. Science in K-12 schools is absolutely critical, and we must ensure students learn that science is as real as climate change. I believe in science!