2026 Voter Guide

Legislative District 4 · State Senate

Scottsdale · Paradise Valley · North PhoenixElection Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3

One state senator will represent District 4 for the next two years. Here is where the two candidates stand on the issues District 4 families raise most, with a source for every claim.

Senator Carine Werner

Carine Werner (Republican)

State Senator, LD4 · Scottsdale
Immigrant, mom of three, small business owner, Scottsdale school board member
See her full record →
Aaron Lieberman

Aaron Lieberman (Democrat)

Former Democratic Candidate for Governor · Paradise Valley
Entrepreneur, founder of Acelero Learning
See his full record →

Taxes and affordability

Voted for one of the largest tax cuts in Arizona history, worth about $1.45 billion to Arizona taxpayers over four years.15

Eliminated state taxes on overtime and tips, and cut taxes for seniors.15

Opposed the historic 2021 flat tax cut, which lowered income taxes to a single 2.5% rate for every Arizonan.2

Voted against the 2019 state budget that gave teachers a 5% raise.4

Teacher pay

On the Scottsdale school board, voted to give every SUSD teacher and staff member a raise in 2023 and again in 2026. "The teachers are amazing," she said.17, 13

In the Senate, voted to send voters a measure requiring larger districts to spend at least 60 cents of every dollar in the classroom.3

Opposed the 5% teacher pay raise in 2019.4

School choice

Supports school choice so parents decide which school fits their child.1

In 2018, urged voters to reject Proposition 305, trying to stop more Arizona families from getting school-choice options. "We need to spend 100% of our limited state education dollars on fully funding our k-12 public schools," he wrote.16

Also voted against SB 1224 in 2020, which strengthened oversight of the ESA program and widened eligibility.5

Girls' sports

Voted in June 2026 to send HCR 2003 to voters. It keeps girls' school sports teams for girls and protects locker room privacy.6

Voted no on HB 2706 in 2020, which would have kept biological males off girls' and women's school sports teams.8

Protecting health care dollars

Chairs the Senate Health Committee, the first freshman ever named to the post. Leading an investigation into AHCCCS (Medicaid) fraud with federal law enforcement.1

In 2010, federal auditors found the Head Start program run by his company, Acelero, could not adequately account for federal funds and charged costs that were unallowable.9

His disclosures show he stayed chairman and kept a stake worth over $100,000 while serving in the Legislature.10

Serving at the Legislature

First elected in 2024. Chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in her first term.14

Quit the Legislature in the middle of his term to run for governor, a run he later called "spectacularly unsuccessful."11

Paying politicians more

Opposes paying politicians more with your tax dollars.1

Voted in 2021 to pay legislators more, tripling the taxpayer-funded daily allowance lawmakers from outside Maricopa County collect.12

Record of results

Had 21 bipartisan bills signed into law in her first two years at the Capitol.1

Had just one bill signed into law in nearly three years in the House before he quit: HB 2109, “Bingo; conduct; licenses.”18

How to vote in District 4

Oct. 5
Last day to register to vote
Oct. 7
Early ballots mailed and early voting opens
Nov. 3
Election Day. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sources

  1. Werner for AZ, 2026 Legislative Recap and candidate statements.
  2. AZPM, "Flat tax passes Arizona House," June 24, 2021
  3. Arizona Senate roll call, SCR 1032, Mar. 23, 2026; Arizona Capitol Times, Mar. 24, 2026
  4. Arizona House roll call, HB 2747 (general appropriations), May 25, 2019; ABC15, May 21, 2019
  5. Arizona House roll call, SB 1224, Mar. 12, 2020; House bill summary
  6. Arizona Senate roll call, HCR 2003, June 12, 2026
  7. Arizona Senate roll call, HB 2062, Apr. 8, 2025
  8. Arizona House roll call, HB 2706, Mar. 3, 2020
  9. HHS Office of Inspector General, Report A-09-09-00094 (2010)
  10. Arizona Secretary of State financial disclosures, Aaron Lieberman: 2019, 2020, 2021
  11. Arizona Capitol Times, July 23, 2026
  12. Arizona House roll call, HB 2053, June 30, 2021; Arizona Daily Star, June 2021
  13. East Valley Tribune, "Across-the-board pay increases at Scottsdale Unified," Mar. 25, 2026
  14. Carine Werner, committee assignments
  15. Arizona Senate roll call, HB 4168 (taxation omnibus), June 11, 2026; JLBC summary of FY 2027 budget bills; Arizona Mirror, June 2026
  16. Proposition 305 (2018); Aaron Lieberman on X, May 17, 2018
  17. Scottsdale Progress, "SUSD board approves 2% salary increase," Mar. 21, 2023
  18. HB 2109 (2021), "Bingo; conduct; licenses," signed Mar. 24, 2021; Arizona Legislature bill records, 2019–2021