Judicial Retention 2026 · LD29 ballot only
Judges on Your Ballot
Summary of retention races that appear for Legislative District 29: Arizona Supreme Court (if any), Court of Appeals Division I, and Maricopa County Superior Court. Other counties and Court of Appeals Division II are omitted.
Why This Section Matters
The Judges Are Easy to Skip. Don’t.
Most voters fill in the top of the ballot and then hit a long list of unfamiliar judicial names. That blank space is how judges keep their seats without answering to anyone.
You are not choosing between two candidates — you are answering one question about each judge: keep, or do not keep. A NO vote means the record does not merit another term.
Recommendations below follow LD29’s 2026 retention worksheet. This page highlights judges we recommend you vote NO on. Unless noted, retain the others on your LD29 ballot.
Recommendations are based on: 1. Appointments, 2. Judicial Ratings, 3. Decisions.
Full Judge Voter Guide (PDF): Arizona Judges on the 2026 Ballot for Retention (updated)
Official performance reviews: azcourts.gov/jpr.
YES Retain
Retired / not running excluded
Arizona Supreme Court
LD29 recommends NO on 1
- Lopez IV, John R.NO
Court of Appeals · Division I
LD29 recommends NO on 2
Division II (southern Arizona) is not on the LD29 ballot and is omitted.
- Hill Foster, Anni L.NODucey appointee
- Jacobs, Andrew M.NOHobbs appointee
Retain (6) — Division I YES recommendations
- Catlett, Michael S.YES
- Howe, Randall M.YES
- Kiley, Daniel J.YES
- Morse, James B.YES
- Perkins, Jennifer M.YES
- Weinzweig, DavidYES
Maricopa County Superior Court
LD29 recommends NO on 27
This is the court that handles criminal sentencing, family law, and many election challenges in our county.
- Blanchard, John L.NOBad decisions
- Brain, Mark H.NOBad decisions
- Carson, MichelleNOJudicial Commission Mtg -Family Ct.
- Como, Gregory S.NO
- Covil, Max-HenriNO
- Culbertson, KristinNO
- Gilla, Marisha H.NOHobbs appointee
- Guyton, Lauren R.NOHobbs appointee
- Harmon, Melody GarlandNOHobbs appointee
- Jackson, Charlene D.NOJudicial Commission-Family Ct.
- Julian, Melissa I.NOAlways sides with Mayes; ruled against GOP Election integrity
- Kalman, Amy M.NOHobbs appointee
- Korbin Steiner, RoneeNOFamily & Juvenile Ct; Fink, Keshel, Finchem
- Kreamer, Joseph C.NONapolitano appointee
- Martin, Daniel G.NORules against AZ GOP-Election Integrity
- Mata, Julie A.NOJudicial Commission-Family Ct.
- McCarthy, Steven W.NOHobbs Appointee
- Myers, Samuel J.NONapolitano appointee
- O’Donnell-Smith, Colleen E.NOFamily & Juvenile Ct; Fink, Keshel, Finchem
- Rassas, Michael Z.NOFamily & Juvenile Ct; Fink, Keshel, Finchem
- Rogers, Joshua D.NOFamily & Juvenile Ct; Fink, Keshel, Finchem
- Warner, Randall H.NONapolitano appointee
- Welty, Joseph C.NONapolitano appointee
- Williams, Paula A.NOHobbs appointee
- Wingard, William R.NOHobbs appointee
- Woo, Cassie B.NOFamily
- Zabor, Melissa M.NOFamily & Juvenile Ct; Fink, Keshel, Finchem
Retain (23) — Superior Court YES recommendations
- Astrowsky, BradleyYES
- Blair, Michael C.YES
- Brooks, Robert I.YES
- Cairo, Sunita A.YES
- Cooper, Katherine M.YES
- Davis, Marvin L.YES
- Edelstein, Monica B.YES
- Fish, GeoffreyYES
- Fox, DewainYES
- Francis, Jillian B.YES
- Green, JenniferYES
- Herrod, Michael J.YES
- Kiefer, Joseph S.YES
- Lemaire, Kerstin G.YES
- Moskowitz, Frank W.YES
- Nicholls, Suzanne M.YES
- Polk, JayYES
- Rueter, JeffreyYES
- Ryan-Touhill, JenniferYES
- Schwartz, Aryeh D.YES
- Sinclair, Joan M.YES
- Viola, Danielle J.YES
- Whitehead, ChuckYES
Not shown (not on LD29 ballot): Court of Appeals Division II; Coconino, Pima, and Pinal County Superior Courts.