Rick McCartney believes that fighting for the economic security of working families and individuals is the most important challenge facing the nation, and that Democrats who don’t stand up for the middle class and working poor deserve to lose. As a successful entrepreneur and businessman, Rick is perfectly positioned to take on Trump and the GOP.

Rick served as the chair of both the Maricopa County and Arizona Workforce Councils, where he helped thousands of Arizonans get the jobs they needed and deserved. He founded In Business Magazine in 2010 to give a voice to Arizona’s local businesses and help them prosper. There, he created a forum that fuels economic opportunities for businesses of all sizes - creating better-paying jobs and driving economic success throughout the Valley.

Rick knows that a strong economy lifts everyone and creates prosperity and opportunity and that too many families are falling behind. America is weaker when families are worried they may never be able to afford to buy a home, pay for college tuition, or save enough to retire. He’s ready to bring real-world experience to Washington to help working families get ahead.

While Donald Trump pursues reckless economic policies that hurt the middle class, Rick will focus on solutions that actually work. He supports investing in infrastructure, expanding opportunity, and helping small businesses thrive. He’ll fight for an economy that rewards hard work — not just wealth — and ensures every Arizonan has a fair shot at the American Dream.

Rick McCartney believes China is one of the most significant economic powers in the world, and America must approach that reality with strength, strategy, and clear-eyed leadership. He supports a tough but smart approach that protects American jobs, supply chains, national security, and intellectual property while maintaining responsible economic engagement where it benefits working families and businesses. Rick believes the United States must lead through innovation, strong alliances, fair trade, and democratic values — standing firm against human rights abuses, economic coercion, and threats to global stability while ensuring America remains the strongest and most competitive economy in the world.

Rick McCartney believes healthcare is a human right — not a privilege. He supports expanding access to affordable care, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and protecting the Affordable Care Act.

The Republicans have voted to gut Medicaid and strip protections from people with pre-existing conditions. Rick will do the opposite. He’ll fight for a healthcare system that puts patients before profits and gives every family the peace of mind that comes from knowing care is within reach.

Arizona’s 1st Congressional District is home to some of the most innovative and advanced healthcare systems in the nation, from groundbreaking cancer research to cutting-edge hospitals and world-class specialists. Rick will work to ensure these advances are not just available to the wealthy or well-connected — but accessible to every Arizonan, no matter their income, ZIP code, or health history.

Rick knows that access to care shouldn’t depend on navigating red tape, affording sky-high deductibles, or surviving attempts to dismantle the safety net. As your representative, he’ll fight to protect Medicaid, strengthen rural health infrastructure, and make sure every resident of AZ-01 can benefit from the remarkable medical breakthroughs happening right here at home.

Having lived in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District for over 30 years, Rick McCartney knows that education is the key to opportunity — especially for students who learn differently or face challenges at home. As a nonprofit leader and advocate, Rick has worked with local schools to develop safer, more inclusive environments that support the whole child.

Rick has been a consistent supporter of schools that prioritize student well-being, emotional health, and diverse learning styles. He’s helped guide programs that offer trauma-informed teaching, social-emotional support, and individualized learning approaches — because every student deserves a path to success, not just the ones who fit a traditional mold.

In Congress, Rick will fight to end Arizona’s teacher shortage by investing in teacher pay, training, and retention — because students can’t thrive without strong educators in every classroom. He’ll ensure that every school has qualified social workers, counselors, and para-professionals on staff so that teachers can actually spend their time teaching. He’ll champion public school funding, universal full-day kindergarten, and expanded access to early childhood education, the National School Lunch Program, and after-school programs.

For Rick, this mission is personal. As a father and community advocate, he’s seen how schools that nurture students’ unique strengths can change lives. In Congress, he’ll work to ensure that every child in Arizona has access to safe schools, caring teachers, and the resources they need to reach their full potential — no matter their background or learning style.

Through his work with Valley nonprofit agencies focused on affordable housing models, LGBTQ+ youth, and workforce development, Rick knows firsthand that having a place to call home is essential to living a secure and fulfilling life.

Arizona is in an escalating housing crisis. With rents and home prices rising, and a shortage of over 270,000 homes, families are being priced out of the American Dream – and we must act.

Rick supports cutting red tape that slows down housing construction, investing in affordable housing, and cracking down on Wall Street firms that don’t care about our communities and buy up homes in order to increase rents. In Congress, he’ll be a champion for housing policies that help working families build stable, secure lives in the communities they love.

Democracy only works when it works for everyone. That’s why Rick supports enacting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, ending partisan gerrymandering, and protecting every eligible American’s right to vote.

While the MAGA wing of the GOP attack election integrity and spread lies about voter fraud, Rick will fight for free and fair elections. He’ll also work to strengthen ethics rules, increase transparency, and make government more accountable. Democracy is worth protecting — and Rick won’t back down from that fight.

Rick McCartney supports reproductive freedom and believes the government has no business interfering in personal medical decisions. The right to access abortion and reproductive healthcare must be protected, and Rick will work to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. He will also fight to ensure access to abortion medication and uphold the legal right to travel across state lines to access abortion services.

While extremists like Donald Trump and the GOP push dangerous abortion bans, Rick will stand up for women’s rights and defend reproductive freedom. Arizona voters made their position clear by voting overwhelmingly in 2024 to protect access to abortion, and Rick will be a fierce advocate in Congress for the healthcare, autonomy, and dignity every person deserves.

Arizona is already feeling the impacts of climate change — record-breaking heat, devastating wildfires, and water insecurity. Rick McCartney believes in acting now to protect the planet while creating jobs in a clean energy economy.

As a business leader, Rick knows that economic growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. He supports expanding solar and wind energy, protecting Arizona’s water supply, and holding polluters accountable. In Congress, he’ll push for bold climate solutions that build a better future for the next generation.

Rick McCartney supports a secure, humane, and functional immigration system — one that reflects both the rule of law and American values. He believes in smart border security, but also in a clear pathway to citizenship for the millions of immigrants who contribute to our economy and communities.

While Trump and the Republicans spread fear and block bipartisan reform, Rick will fight for solutions. That includes protections for Dreamers, a fix to the legal immigration backlog, and an end to the cruelty of targeting residents without due and legal process. In Congress, Rick will rip up ICE and replace it with properly trained, unmasked professionals who adhere to the rule of law. Anything less is an affront to our foundational American values. Immigrants are essential to Arizona’s success, and Rick will ensure they’re treated with fairness and dignity.

Rick McCartney has spent his life fighting for equity and justice — and as a gay man, that fight is deeply personal. He knows firsthand the challenges LGBTQ+ people face and the urgency of standing up to the renewed attacks on our basic rights and freedoms.

As Board Chair of Arizona’s largest nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth, Rick led the organization through a period of significant growth, expanding access to vital resources and support. He understands that protecting rights is essential — but so is providing real support to ensure LGBTQ+ people can thrive.

Rick supports passing the Equality Act to expand federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Americans. He will fight to protect trans youth, ensure safety and dignity in every community, and push back against the far-right efforts to erase progress.

In Congress, Rick will be a fearless advocate for equality, opportunity for all, and human dignity. No matter who tries to turn back the clock — he’ll stand his ground and stand up for all of us.

Rick McCartney believes America must lead with strength, moral clarity, and accountability.

At a time when too many politicians reduce foreign policy to slogans, Rick believes serious national security requires judgment, guardrails, diplomacy, and the courage to tell the truth. America should stand with our allies, defend democracy, confront authoritarianism, protect human rights, and reject both reckless wars of choice and isolationist politics that make the world less safe.

Rick supports Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s aggression and believes the United States must continue to stand with democratic allies against authoritarian regimes that seek to weaken freedom around the world. He understands that America’s strength comes not just from military power, but from credible leadership, strong alliances, and a clear commitment to democratic values.

Rick also believes America needs leaders who will be honest about threats wherever they come from. That means standing up to dictators and extremists abroad, rejecting political violence and authoritarian movements at home, and refusing to let leaders use instability, fear, or war to protect their own power.

In the Middle East, Rick supports a strong and enduring relationship with Israel and believes America has a responsibility to stand against terrorism, antisemitism, authoritarianism, and threats to Israel’s security. He also believes supporting Israel’s security and standing up for democratic values are not competing ideas. They are inseparable.

That is why Rick is deeply concerned by Netanyahu-era policies and far-right governance, and believes America must be clear-eyed about any leadership that undermines democratic values, accountability, or the prospects for lasting peace. Rick believes real support for Israel means supporting its long-term security, democratic integrity, and moral leadership. That means demanding accountability from allies and adversaries alike, supporting a long-term two-state solution, and refusing to give any leader a blank check, whether that leader is Netanyahu, Trump, Iran’s regime, or anyone else.

Demanding accountability from Israel includes an unwavering mandate for unconditional humanitarian aid for all people affected by the ongoing devastation caused by the war in Gaza, as well as thorough investigations into the destruction of hospitals, schools, and other civilian targets in the region.

Rick rejects the same old political playbook that treats foreign policy as a choice between abandoning America’s allies or giving leaders unconditional support. He believes America can be strong without being reckless, principled without being performative, and loyal to its allies without abandoning its values.

In Congress, Rick will work to strengthen America’s alliances, defend democracy, protect human rights, confront authoritarianism, and restore serious, principled American leadership on the world stage.

Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribal nations, a few of which reside within Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. Rick McCartney believes that any representative of this district must be a strong, consistent, and respectful partner to Tribal communities — not just in words, but through meaningful action.

Rick is committed to honoring tribal sovereignty, strengthening government-to-government relationships, and ensuring Tribes have equitable access to healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.

Rick knows that these efforts must be rooted in respect, consultation, and collaboration with tribal leaders — not top-down decisions from Washington. As your representative, he will listen, learn, and legislate alongside Arizona’s sovereign nations, and ensure that tribal voices are central in shaping federal policy.

Rick McCartney is a strong advocate for veterans and their families, making their care and support a top priority in his campaign for Congress. He believes that no veteran should ever be left behind, especially when it comes to healthcare. That’s why Rick is committed to protecting and expanding Medicare and Medicaid—critical programs that many veterans rely on when the VA system falls short.

In Congress, he will fight to improve the VA, reduce wait times, and ensure access to quality care, especially in our underserved communities. He also supports expanding mental health services, strengthening disability support, and ensuring VA facilities are accessible and fully equipped to meet the needs of injured and disabled veterans.

Rick will also champion workforce development and job training programs tailored to veterans, helping them transition to civilian life with the tools they need to succeed. He will also work to bolster support for veteran families, including community resources, housing assistance, and nonprofit programs that provide mentorship and small-business support. Rick McCartney knows that serving veterans means more than just honoring their sacrifice—it means delivering results that make a difference in their everyday lives.

Arts & Culture

Arizona is home to some of the nation’s premier cultural institutions — from The Phoenix Symphony and Scottsdale Center for the Arts to MIM, Ballet Arizona, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Theatre Company, Arizona Opera, the Herberger Theater, and countless community arts organizations. Rick McCartney believes these institutions are essential to our identity, our education system, and our economic strength.

Investing in Arts Education

Rick knows that arts education helps students thrive. Music, theater, visual arts, and dance improve academic outcomes, build confidence, and prepare young people for a modern, creative workforce. In Congress, Rick will fight to protect and expand funding for K–12 arts programs so every child — in every ZIP code — has access to a full and enriching education.

Strengthening Our Cultural Institutions

The arts are not a luxury — they are part of what makes Arizona a vibrant and connected place to live. Rick will champion federal grants, support tax incentives for nonprofit growth, and push back against efforts to defund cultural organizations. He’ll work with local leaders and private partners to expand access to performances, exhibitions, and community-based programs throughout the Valley.

Driving Economic Growth

The arts are a powerful economic engine for Arizona. Recent statewide analyses show that nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate over $1 billion annually through jobs, tourism, and local business activity. Every concert, show, and festival supports restaurants, hotels, and small businesses that depend on a thriving cultural sector.

Rick McCartney understands that when Arizona invests in the arts, we invest in stronger schools, a stronger economy, and a stronger community. In Congress, he will be a committed champion for the creative future of Arizona’s First District.