A retired United States Army combat veteran, small-business owner, husband, father, and experienced state legislator, Chairman Blackman brings more than two decades of military leadership and years of public service to his work on behalf of the people of Arizona.

Chairman Blackman served 21 years on active duty in the United States Army, rising through the ranks to Sergeant First Class (Promotable) and serving in senior leadership positions, including First Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant. He completed six overseas deployments, including combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and service in Kosovo and Kuwait.

Arizona House Member: Walt Blackman

Walter "Walt" Blackman is a husband and father.

House Member - Arizona Legislature

Walt is a small-business owner and retired U.S. Army combat veteran. He served as a Sergeant First Class (Promotable) in the U.S. Army for 21 years.

First elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2018, Blackman made history as the first Black Republican elected to the Arizona Legislature.

Today, Chairman Blackman represents Legislative District 7, one of Arizona's largest and most geographically diverse legislative districts.

Walt currently serves in the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 7. He was first elected in 2018.

2026 Arizona General Election

Dear Friends, It’s an honor to represent LD7—Arizona’s Legislative District 7—rooted in faith, freedom, and conservative values. As a Republican, I advocate for liberty, personal responsibility, and opportunities for all. Our vision prioritizes common sense, strong border security, and support for law enforcement, recognizing that national security starts at home. I believe in a limited and accountable government that empowers individuals and fosters a pro-growth economy through support for small businesses, lower taxes, and fewer regulations.

My Vision for Arizona

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Eliminate Wasteful Spending and Increase Accountability
Reduce Bureaucracy and Streamline Government
Protect Taxpayer Dollars Through Fiscal Responsibility
Strengthen Oversight of Public Contracts and Programs
Return More Power to States and Local Communities

iVoterGuide candidate questionnaire

Advocates for small-business support, lower taxes, and fewer regulations to promote economic growth.

Calls for reducing government spending and bureaucracy, strengthening oversight, and giving states and local communities more authority.

- Advocates for small-business support, lower taxes, and fewer regulations to promote economic growth.
- Calls for reducing government spending and bureaucracy, strengthening oversight, and giving states and local communities more authority.

Economy

As crafted by Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake, Senate Bill 1424 would make it a felony to impersonate a veteran if done “with the intent to obtain money, property or any tangible benefit.” What would run afoul of the law includes everything from saying they had served to being the recipient of any sort of decoration, medal or badge that was not lawfully earned through military services.

House-approved stolen valor bill targets fake military vets

LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING

I will work to secure adequate funding for law enforcement agencies to strengthen public safety efforts.

Walt's Policies & Issues

SECOND AMENDMENTS PROTECTION

I have always been dedicated to safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of Arizonans.

Protecting Arizona Starts at the Border—and Starts Now.

In Arizona’s LD7—and across the state—the effects of open borders are real and immediate: strained law enforcement, vulnerable tribal communities, and families left without protection. That ends with bold, decisive leadership. We will secure our border through smart infrastructure—advanced surveillance, modernized checkpoints, and multi-agency hubs that unite tribal, local, and federal enforcement.

Comprehensive Strategy for Enhanced Border Security

National Guard Utilization

Walt's plan involves enhancing the Arizona National Guard's capabilities for border security by increasing funding and authorized personnel strength. It leverages the Guard's experience in combat zones and training with the Active Army, including specialized desert and border security training at the Army's National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California.

Sheriff Department Funding

Increase financial support for border sheriff departments, enabling them to enhance local enforcement and response capabilities.

Sponsored Senate Bill 1424, which would make impersonating a veteran for material benefit a felony.

Plans to seek adequate funding for law-enforcement agencies.

Supports protecting Arizonans’ Second Amendment rights.

Proposes border-security infrastructure including surveillance, modernized checkpoints, and enforcement hubs involving tribal, local, and federal agencies.

Proposes increasing Arizona National Guard funding and the number of authorized personnel for border security.

Proposes increasing financial support for sheriff departments in border areas.

- Sponsored Senate Bill 1424, which would make impersonating a veteran for material benefit a felony.
- Plans to seek adequate funding for law-enforcement agencies.
- Supports protecting Arizonans’ Second Amendment rights.
- Proposes border-security infrastructure including surveillance, modernized checkpoints, and enforcement hubs involving tribal, local, and federal agencies.
- Proposes increasing Arizona National Guard funding and the number of authorized personnel for border security.
- Proposes increasing financial support for sheriff departments in border areas.

Public Safety

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I am proudly pro-life and believe every human life has inherent value and deserves protection. At the same time, I recognize that there are rare and tragic circumstances in which difficult medical decisions may arise. I support exceptions in cases involving: A medical emergency where the life of the mother is at serious risk, Rape, and Incest
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree

RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I am proudly pro-life and believe taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortion providers or organizations whose operations include performing or promoting abortions, including Planned Parenthood Americans hold deeply held moral, religious, and ethical beliefs on the issue of abortion, and many taxpayers should not be compelled to financially support abortion-related services through federal, state, or local government funding.

HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

I believe healthcare should remain primarily driven by patients, doctors, private markets, and individual choice — not fully controlled by the federal government. I support preserving programs like Medicare and Medicaid for seniors, disabled individuals, and vulnerable populations who rely on them, while encouraging market-based reforms that increase competition, affordability, transparency, and access to care.

RETAINING DRS IN RURAL AREAS

Implement loan forgiveness and financial incentive programs for doctors who commit to working in rural areas for a specified period.

Increase funding for rural healthcare facilities to improve working conditions and resources, making these areas more attractive to healthcare professionals.

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Strongly Agree

I oppose irreversible medical interventions on minors — including certain surgeries or permanent treatments — when children may not yet have the maturity to fully understand the long-term consequences. I also believe parents should be fully informed and involved in decisions affecting their child’s health, education, and well-being.

Supports legal protection for human life from conception, with abortion exceptions for serious maternal health risks, rape, and incest.

Opposes taxpayer funding for abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood.

Supports preserving Medicare and Medicaid while encouraging market-based healthcare reforms focused on competition, affordability, transparency, and access.

Proposes financial incentives for rural doctors and increased funding for rural healthcare facilities.

Opposes irreversible medical interventions for minors and supports parents’ involvement in decisions affecting children’s health.

- Supports legal protection for human life from conception, with abortion exceptions for serious maternal health risks, rape, and incest.
- Opposes taxpayer funding for abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood.
- Supports preserving Medicare and Medicaid while encouraging market-based healthcare reforms focused on competition, affordability, transparency, and access.
- Proposes financial incentives for rural doctors and increased funding for rural healthcare facilities.
- Opposes irreversible medical interventions for minors and supports parents’ involvement in decisions affecting children’s health.

Healthcare

PRIORITIZING K-12 FUNDING

My focus is on prioritizing K-12 education funding and empowering parents to make decisions for their children's needs and future, aiming to create a brighter future for Arizona's students and families.

Dear Friends, It’s an honor to represent LD7—Arizona’s Legislative District 7—rooted in faith, freedom, and conservative values. As a Republican, I advocate for liberty, personal responsibility, and opportunities for all. Our vision prioritizes common sense, strong border security, and support for law enforcement, recognizing that national security starts at home. I believe in a limited and accountable government that empowers individuals and fosters a pro-growth economy through support for small businesses, lower taxes, and fewer regulations. Faith and family are vital to our community, and I champion school choice and parental rights.

EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Agree

States, local school boards, teachers, and parents understand the unique needs of their communities far better than the federal government. Returning authority to the states would increase accountability, flexibility, innovation, and parental involvement in education.

Prioritizes funding from kindergarten through 12th grade and parent decision-making about their children’s education.

Supports school choice and parental rights in education.

Supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning education authority to states and communities.

- Prioritizes funding from kindergarten through 12th grade and parent decision-making about their children’s education.
- Supports school choice and parental rights in education.
- Supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning education authority to states and communities.

Education

WATER MANAGEMENT RECOGNIZING WATER SCARCITY CONCERNS

I advocates for sustainable water usage and effective resource management to safeguard Arizona's water supply.

WATER CONCERVATION INITIATIVE

Protecting Arizona's water right, I work to protect Arizona's water rights from federal government interference.

PROTECTING PRIVATE WELL RIGHTS AND OWNERSHIP

I seek to safeguard the rights and ownership of private wells in Arizona.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Disagree

I believe we should be good stewards of our environment and natural resources, but I do not support alarmist policies that expand government control, cripple our economy, raise energy costs, or hurt working families in the name of climate politics.

Advocates for sustainable water use and resource management to protect Arizona’s water supply.

Seeks to protect Arizona water rights from federal government interference.

Seeks to safeguard private-well rights and ownership in Arizona.

Opposes what he calls “alarmist policies” that expand government control or raise energy costs in response to climate change.

- Advocates for sustainable water use and resource management to protect Arizona’s water supply.
- Seeks to protect Arizona water rights from federal government interference.
- Seeks to safeguard private-well rights and ownership in Arizona.
- Opposes what he calls “alarmist policies” that expand government control or raise energy costs in response to climate change.

Energy & the Environment

ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

I believe protecting the integrity of our elections is essential to maintaining public trust in our constitutional republic. Requiring photo identification to vote is a reasonable and common-sense safeguard that helps ensure elections are secure, fair, and transparent. Americans are routinely asked to show identification for many everyday activities, and voting — one of the most important responsibilities in a democracy — should include basic identity verification to help prevent fraud.

Supports requiring photo identification to vote.

- Supports requiring photo identification to vote.

Voting & Elections

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Walter "Walt" Blackman

- Plans to seek adequate funding for law-enforcement agencies.
- Supports protecting Arizonans’ Second Amendment rights.
- Proposes border-security infrastructure including surveillance, modernized checkpoints, and enforcement hubs involving tribal, local, and federal agencies.
- Proposes increasing Arizona National Guard funding and the number of authorized personnel for border security.
- Proposes increasing financial support for sheriff departments in border areas.

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- Your state representatives represent the interests of your local district in the Arizona State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up the state lawmaking body: the Arizona Legislature.
- Your state representatives can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws.
- Arizona has 30 districts, and each district is represented by two State Representatives, making a total of 60 State Representatives.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $24,000. They only serve in the role part-time.

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Arizona House of Representatives