Michiel Montiel is an Army veteran who served from 2001 to 2005 and later started a small business and a nonprofit in Superior. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest in Maricopa County Superior Court in 2012, drawing two years' probation that was cut short a year early, and to a misdemeanor in 2021 after his dog attacked a neighbor's goat. He said he was sleepwalking during the 2012 incident. He ran unopposed in the primary.
Prominent Endorsements
Candidate resources
Self-reported endorsements
- Vote Vets
- The Sierra Club
- AFL-CIO
- AZSOS
- AZ College Dems.
Candidate Questionnaire
Top Issues
My top three priorities are affordability, education, and healthcare. I want to lower the everyday costs putting pressure on Arizona families, strengthen public schools while reforming ESAs and investing more in teachers and classrooms, and expand access to affordable, quality healthcare—especially in rural communities where distance and provider shortages remain major barriers.
Professional Experience
- U.S. Army infantry combat veteran
- small-business founder and owner
- former junior high science and physical education teacher and substitute teacher
- nonprofit and community organization leader
- conservation and watershed restoration advocate
- workforce, food-system, and rural economic development organizer. My leadership experience includes serving as a nonprofit board president, American Legion Post Commander, Chamber of Commerce board member and vice president, veterans organization leader, and organizer of community service projects, public events, and cross-sector partnerships.
Education
- Associate degree from Mesa Community College (2008)
- Bachelor of Science in Business and Human Communication from Arizona State University (2013)
- Certification in Organic Farming and Ranching from the University of Arizona (2015)
- graduate of the Hispanic Leadership Institute, Valle Del Sol (2018)
- and graduate of Project CENTRL, Arizona’s rural leadership development program (2026).
Political Offices
- None, this is my first run for office.
Political Organizations
- AZ Democratic Party, Precinct Committee Chairman.