Representative Rachel Jones is a far-right Republican in a suburban swing district, and one of the most extreme voices in the Arizona legislature. First elected in 2022, Jones has built her brand on pushing culture-war bills: defending Arizona’s pre-statehood abortion ban, attacking LGBTQ+ families, and promoting censorship in schools.
In 2024, she barely held on in Legislative District 17, finishing second in a multi-member race with about 33.4 percent of the vote, just 1.3 points ahead of being unseated, while a Democrat topped the ballot. The district, which includes fast-growing suburbs of Tucson and Pinal County, is trending younger, more diverse, and increasingly supportive of reproductive rights. Jones’s extremism is not what voters here want.
The election is in 2026 but the race has already begun in 2025.
She’s exposed. She’s extreme. She’s beatable.
Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Family Record
Supported bills to criminalize drag shows and censor LGBTQ+ school materials, labeling them “sexual content.”
Backed Florida-style “parents’ rights” legislation, encouraging book bans and restricting inclusive classrooms.
Denounced LGBTQ+ visibility as “indoctrination.”
Aligned with national anti-trans campaigns that stigmatize students and families.
Divisive agenda in a district with growing young and diverse communities.
Attacks on Reproductive Freedom
Defended Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban — criminalized abortion with almost no exceptions.
Opposed protections for providers and safe patient access.
Out of step with voters: 2024 amendment protecting abortion rights passed overwhelmingly.
Record is politically toxic in LD-17, where reproductive freedom is broadly supported.
Culture War Over Constituents
Prioritizes symbolic fights over drag shows, LGBTQ+ books, and abortion bans.
No accomplishments on core local concerns: affordability, water, education, healthcare, infrastructure.
Legislative agenda reflects national politics, not LD-17 priorities.
Voters increasingly aware of her neglect of real district needs.
Key Vulnerabilities
2022: Won multi-member race by narrow margin.
2024: Finished second with 33.4%, just 1.3 points from defeat.
Republicans hold modest registration edge, but independents are numerous and lean progressive.
Voter-approved 2024 abortion rights amendment directly contradicts her record.
Tucson metro suburbs are diversifying, trending younger, and organizing strongly around equality and reproductive rights.
Jones has no cushion: extremism is unpopular, district is moving away from her.
Rachel Jones has spent her time in office targeting LGBTQ+ families, defending Arizona’s abortion ban, and importing national culture-war politics into a district that wants pragmatic, inclusive leadership.
She has:
A hardline record on LGBTQ+ and abortion rights
A razor-thin win in a fast-changing suburban district
A voting record out of step with constituents’ values
No accomplishments on affordability, healthcare, or infrastructure
