Diaz, Lupe

Meet the Candidate

Running For:

State House

District:

19

Political Affiliation:

Republican

Age:

70

Occupation:

Pastor at Grace Chapel Benson

Education:

Bachelors degree

Family:

Married 51 years, three children, 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren

Religion:

Christian

Biographical Info:

Lupe Urrea Diaz was born on Easter Sunday morning, April 2, 1956, in Bisbee, Arizona. He graduated from Bisbee High School and later earned a Bachelors degree in Theology from the School of Bible Theology in 1992. Lupe has served as the pastor of Grace Chapel Benson since 1988 and as an Arizona State House Representative for Legislative District 19 since 2021.

Prior to his role as a representative, he served as a Benson City Council member (20172021) and as president of the San Pedro Valley/Benson Chamber of Commerce (20132018). Additionally, he taught part-time at Cochise Colleges Benson Branch (20182021), offering courses in Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, and Religions of the World. Lupe has also worked in maintenance at an RV park and with Chaparral Painting Company.

Lupe is a member of the Republican Party and a devout Christian, adhering to Bible-based Christianity. He has been married to Mary Alice Diaz for 51 years, and they have three children, 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Political and Community Interests
Lupes political priorities center on preserving the God-given rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He believes that Biblical moral and ethical values should serve as the foundation of governance and that the traditional family structure is essential to societal stability. He advocates for personal liberty, free commerce, and a government that reflects biblical principles of governance and jurisprudence.

At the state level, Lupe focuses on key Arizona issues, including:

Promoting a diverse education system that prioritizes parental choice.
Developing sustainable water policies that balance various uses and emphasize local control.
Supporting Arizonas agriculture industry, including farming and ranching.
Preserving the states mining industry and promoting tourism, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

Lupe is a dedicated representative for Arizona’s Legislative District 19, covering a diverse region with a rich mix of geography and industries tied to Arizona’s “5 C’s” (Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, and Climate). As Chairman of the Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee and a member of the Commerce and Appropriations Committees, he plays a key role in shaping policies that impact the rural and economic landscape of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and parts of Santa Cruz and Pima counties. His appreciation for the districts residents and their contributions highlights his commitment to serving Southeastern Arizona.

Please see my FaceBook page Lupe Diaz

Statement:

Our state and nation are under siege by those who would divide us, turn us against each other, and attack our values, principles and beliefs. Thats why Im proud to fight the liberal fanatics targeting Arizona. I am proud to defend the freedoms given to us by God and enshrined in our Constitution. I fight for, and will continue to fight for, a strong economy, lower prices and lower inflation, real border security, election integrity, water, freedom from medical tyranny, our 2nd Amendment rights, our mining and agricultural communities, religious freedom, and the rights of parents to direct the education of their children. Being a strong Christian Pastor, and a constitutional conservative I am your trusted voice at the Capitol. I stand in the gap and fight for our children and our grandchildren. I will do everything to leave a free, strong and prospering Arizona to the next generations to come. Thank you for your continued support and prayers, and please vote for me, your Arizona First candidate!

Survey

Response Legend

SSupports
OOpposes
*Comment
−Declined to respond
†Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question	Response	Comments/Notes
1. Enacting state-level restrictions on firearm ownership beyond current Arizona law.	O*	... shall not be infringed
2. Adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in Arizona nondiscrimination statutes.	O*	NO
3. Expanding state-level enforcement efforts to deter illegal border crossings.	S*	We are a people of law and order and need to enforce the laws we have. Illegal immigration needs to be stopped. If we do not provide the benefits to them it will help deter this as well.
4. Prohibiting taxpayer funds from directly or indirectly funding abortion services, except where required by federal law.	S*	I ran a bill doing this. I will continue to run this bill every year.
5. Maintaining the universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program without limiting eligibility.	S*	The wealthy are using the public school system already. Why the double standard other than presenting excuses to attack the ESA program. Everyone should apply regardless of their social status. Taxes were collected and are to be applied to educating out children regardless of the their status. Public Schools proponents say that they accept everyone with out discrimination, that is true. They even accept the students of those that are "wealthy". Taxes are paid, services are paid for whether it is private or public ed.
6. Legalizing physician-assisted suicide for individuals seeking end-of-life assistance, regardless of terminal illness.	O*	Life is sacred. This is a slippery slope. Allowing people to take the the life of another due to illness goes against the Hippocratic oath and our Christian values.
7. Allowing licensed counselors to provide therapy to minors seeking to reduce or manage same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria, with parental consent.	S
8. Increasing criminal penalties for the sale and distribution of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.	S*	There is a move to bring leniency and reduce penalties for criminal activity. As a society we need to assure a strong judicial system. The deaths caused by fentanyl and illicit drugs has caused more deaths than the past five wars we have been engaged. Our foreign enemies are actively killing our citizens. Those that are selling and distributing these drugs are acting as traitors and are treasonous.
9. Requiring stronger age verification and parental consent protections for minors accessing social media platforms and downloading mobile applications.	S
10. Increasing criminal penalties for individuals who purchase sex.	S*	Sexual deviants usually return to their crimes. We need to increase penalties and find judges that will enforce the law.
11. Requiring election procedures that ensure voter identification verification and ballot security.	S*	Yes
12. Enacting a legislative referral that would ask voters to repeal Arizona Proposition 139, the constitutional right to abortion.	S*	Killing babies is murder. Planned parenthood clinics are temples of Molech where babies are offered as sacrifice for the sake of convenience.
13. Expanding current marijuana laws to increase accessibility to recreational marijuana for adults.	−*	This question requires some thought. It should have read, "Enacting a legislative referral that would ask voters to repeal Arizona Proposition 207". I would have responded yes. However since it is law and you are asking about accessibility here is my thoughts on this subject. Increasing accessibility to marijuana by increasing licenses in rural areas makes sense. This will regulate the market in areas where the black market is thriving. In areas where there are no licensed dispensaries people are looking to the dealers in the street to supply their unregulated and in many cases medical product. Those that have medical cards can get regulated, approved and safe product. They don't have to risk getting something laced in the street. Licenses will help put a damper on illegal solicitation to our children.