Christine Marsh

Christine Marsh is the Democratic candidate for Arizona State Senate District 5 in the November 3, 2026 general election, where she faces No Labels Party candidate Jason LaForest in a race with no incumbent.[1][2] A retired teacher who was named Arizona's Teacher of the Year in 2016, she previously served in the Arizona State Senate from 2023 to 2025.[2][3]

Marsh graduated from Chaparral High School, earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1989, and received a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Grand Canyon University in 2016, according to Ballotpedia.[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, she described herself as a mother, foster mother and retired teacher with 32 years of experience, and said she attended UCLA on a track scholarship.[3] She said she now works part-time as a caregiver.[3]

Marsh lost the 2018 general election for Arizona State Senate District 28 to incumbent Kate Brophy McGee, then defeated Brophy McGee in the November 3, 2020 rematch.[2] She assumed office as senator for District 4 on January 9, 2023, and left office on January 13, 2025, after Carine Werner defeated her in the November 5, 2024 general election.[2] Ballotpedia lists her committee assignments in 2023 and 2024 as the Senate Education and Transportation Committee, the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee, and the Transportation and Technology Committee.[2]

In the survey, Marsh said she lost her youngest son to an accidental fentanyl overdose and that during her first session she championed a bill to legalize fentanyl testing strips.[3] She said combating the opioid epidemic would remain a legislative priority, and her campaign messages emphasized public education, public transportation and access to the ballot.[3] She listed endorsements from Arizona List, AFSCME, Professional Firefighters of Arizona, UFCW and the Teamsters, among others.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.