Justin Wilmeth
Republican · House · LD2
Justin Wilmeth, a former Oklahoma news writer and Americans for Prosperity deputy state director, has served in the House since 2021. He chairs a new Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee, and Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed 11 of his bills, including one making Pluto the state planet. He put Proposition 138, the tipped-worker measure, on the 2024 ballot, where voters rejected it 3-to-1, and he joined Democrats to repeal the 1864 abortion ban.
Prominent Endorsements
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & IndustryArizona REALTORSAzNA PACGreater Phoenix ChamberNFIB Arizona PAC
Candidate resources
In Other News
AI, whether you like it or not: The House passed Republican Rep. Justin Wilmeth’s HB2592, which — if Hobbs were to sign it — would require government agencies to find opportunities to implement artificial intelligence into their practices and axe regulations that stunt AI “innovation.” The three Hernandez Democrats — Reps. Alma, Consuelo and Lydia Hernandez — joined Republicans to push the bill over the finish line. (June 10, 2026)
2026-06-10
An idea we can get behind: Republican Rep. Michael Way introduced legislation to cut off pay for lawmakers and the governor if they don’t pass a budget by April 30. (That’s two months before they’re actually required to adopt a state spending plan.) Way is pitching the idea as working in tandem with another resolution from Republican Rep. Justin Wilmeth, who wants to end the legislative session every year on April 30 — then have lawmakers return for a special session afterwards if lawmakers still haven’t approved a budget by then. Both ideas would need to pass both chambers of the Legislature and win voter approval in November to take effect. (February 4, 2026)
2026-02-04
No nuclear options: Pima County officials wouldn’t be able to stop nuclear reactors from being built if a bill from Republican Rep. Justin Wilmeth becomes law, the Arizona Mirror’s Jerod MacDonald-Evoy reports. The only step nuclear power companies would have to take at the local level would be a single meeting to get feedback from the public. HB2456 is similar to a bill Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed last year and promotes nuclear tech that experts say isn’t quite ready for prime time. (February 13, 2026)
2026-02-13