Andy Yates

Civil Rights

A more transparent and decentralized tech industry is now overdue. While it is tempting to call for the wholesale breakup of these companies, my preferred solution would instead be to implement practical, targeted solutions to reign in the worst infractions. For example, holding Big Tech more accountable for the content/disinformation they publish, increasing consumer privacy protections, and making it easier for users to transfer their data to whichever online platform they prefer. Learn more

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

In the absence of public safety, meaningful criminal justice reform (e.g., lowering incarceration rates, expanding drug treatment programs, improving reintegration processes to decrease recidivism) will remain out of reach. Learn more

This requires providing officers with the training, financial resources, and equipment required to fulfill their duty on behalf of every member of the communities they serve. This likely means more, not fewer law enforcement officers are needed so they have time to develop positive relationships with community members. Learn more

Defense / Veterans

Especially as the U.S. shifts more attention to the Pacific Theater, having the time-tested alliance of NATO standing guard over the European continent and beyond is vital. Learn more

Congress has an essential role in this process by passing timely, responsible budgets for military spending each year. Looking ahead, we should pay special attention to developing "breakthrough capabilities" and prioritizing unit-by-unit readiness to enable our military to meet the challenge of future wars. Learn more

Also important, though sometimes overlooked, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the many internationally focused organizations they fund should also be well resourced. Learn more

Drug Policy

In the absence of public safety, meaningful criminal justice reform (e.g., lowering incarceration rates, expanding drug treatment programs, improving reintegration processes to decrease recidivism) will remain out of reach. Learn more

Economy

I will work with Arizona’s farmers and ranchers to guarantee they have the resources required (water, transportation networks, market access, labor, etc.) to continue this proud tradition. Learn more

The United States should reform our immigration system to be primarily merit-based—attracting the world’s best and brightest—strategically utilizing immigration to position America’s innovation economy for the 21st century and beyond. Additionally, more temporary work visas are needed to provide American firms, farms, and small business owners with the workers they need to grow the economy. Learn more

Environment / Energy

Lastly, we need extensive community consultation/education programs, especially among the rural towns and Tribal Nations most affected by uncontrollable wildfires. Learn more

The ideal solution would be mechanical thinning to lessen the threat of wildfires while simultaneously growing the state’s logging industry. However, the reality is that prescribed burns are also required to keep our forests healthy and our communities safe. As Arizona’s forests return to health, an ever-greater proportion of them should be made available for logging. Learn more

This means that solutions to water shortages should involve more than just decreasing allocations to Arizona farms but also ensure livelihoods are maintained and rural communities are empowered to thrive. To achieve this, state and federal water authorities should expand efforts to help farms transition to water-saving irrigation technologies and drought-tolerant crop varieties that enable farms to maintain yields while simultaneously reducing water usage. Learn more

Though it is cost-prohibitive for Arizona to assume responsibility for all federally managed land due to the high cost of wildfire mitigation, it is likewise undesirable for over 40% of Arizona to be controlled from Washington, DC. With this in mind, I will work with local stakeholders and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to explore opportunities for greater local input and oversight of public land within our state. Learn more

Foreign Policy

Lastly, but of paramount importance, Afghanistan must never be allowed to provide safe haven for terrorist organizations bent on harming the U.S. or our allies. Learn more

Our most immediate concerns should be fulfilling America’s promise to the Afghans that served as military translators or on countless other U.S. initiatives that they will not be left behind. Learn more

The U.S. must remain steadfast in its support of Taiwan, its commitment to conducting freedom of navigation missions in the South China Sea, to stopping intellectual property theft, and to ending illegal trade practices, etc. I applaud recent steps taken by Japan, Australia, and India to join America in “the Quad” to reign in some of China’s worst impulses while improving the resiliency of global supply chains, advancing more secure technological standards, and bolstering the rule of law. Learn more

Government Reform

Also important, though sometimes overlooked, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the many internationally focused organizations they fund should also be well resourced. Learn more

Though it is cost-prohibitive for Arizona to assume responsibility for all federally managed land due to the high cost of wildfire mitigation, it is likewise undesirable for over 40% of Arizona to be controlled from Washington, DC. With this in mind, I will work with local stakeholders and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to explore opportunities for greater local input and oversight of public land within our state. Learn more

Guns

As a gun owner, hunter, and avid target/clay shooter, I wholeheartedly support the Second Amendment of our Constitution. Learn more

Immigration

America’s border wall should be completed without delay. Learn more

The United States should reform our immigration system to be primarily merit-based—attracting the world’s best and brightest—strategically utilizing immigration to position America’s innovation economy for the 21st century and beyond. Additionally, more temporary work visas are needed to provide American firms, farms, and small business owners with the workers they need to grow the economy. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

I support long-overdue investments in broadband infrastructure throughout our state. Among other things, these investments should take the form of technical/financial “last mile” support and grant funding to enable rural communities to achieve the connectivity they require and deserve. Learn more

Lastly, we should learn from the supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 and promote the development of more local and resilient food supplies throughout Arizona. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

Specifically, Congress should strengthen initiatives like the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, the “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs” Executive Order of 2017, efforts to simplify our nation’s tax code, and more generally seek to remove bureaucratic friction whenever possible from the lives of every American. Learn more