2026 Arizona General Election

Born and raised in Arizona, Treasurer Kimberly Yee is the first Asian American elected to a statewide office in Arizona’s history. She is also the first Chinese American Republican woman to win a major statewide office in the history of the United States.

Treasurer Kimberly Yee

Treasurer Yee is a graduate of Pepperdine University where she earned degrees in English and Political Science and she holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Kimberly Yee was born and raised in Arizona. She graduated from Pepperdine University with degrees in English and political science and holds a master's degree in public administration from Arizona State University.

TREASURER KIMBERLY YEE | AZ Treasury Office

Personal Information:
Home City: Phoenix
Occupation: Small business owner and former Deputy Cabinet Secretary
Member Since: 2010

Arizona State Senate Member Profile: Kimberly Yee

In 2004, Kimberly was appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as Deputy Cabinet Secretary and was a member of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Cabinet. She served as the Governor’s liaison to the executive branch state agencies and provided policy advisement to the Governor in the areas of K-12, vocational, and higher education, state and consumer services, and labor and workforce development.

Prior to elective office, Kimberly earned a distinguished career in public policy and governmental service. She served as Director of Communications and Government Affairs for Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin promoting fiscal conservative principles to protect taxpayers.

In Arizona, Kimberly served as senior staff of the Senate Committee on Education for the Arizona Legislature from 1998 to 2003 where she established long-standing professional relationships with Arizona’s legislative leaders during her tenure, and gained first-hand experience in the legislative process where she drafted Arizona statutes, improving the state’s public education system, including charter schools, colleges and universities.

Kimberly Yee is a small business owner. She previously served as Deputy Cabinet Secretary in California, director of communications and government affairs for Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin, and a senior staff member for the Arizona Legislature's Senate Committee on Education.

Senator Kimberly Yee - Arizona Legislature

Arizona State TreasurerMeet Treasurer Kimberly Yee

Kimberly Yee is the State Treasurer of Arizona. She is Arizona's chief banking and investment officer and oversees the cash management of Arizona's $64.7 billion state budget and payments to agencies, local governments and schools.

Upon taking office in January 2019, assets under management were at $15.4 billion. Today, assets under management have nearly doubled to $30.6 billion.

Biography for Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee

Born and raised in Arizona, Treasurer Kimberly Yee is the first Asian American elected to a statewide office in Arizona’s history. She is also the first Chinese American Republican woman to win a major statewide office in the history of the United States. In 2010, she became the first Asian American woman elected to the Arizona Legislature and served for eight years, both in the House and the Senate.

Kimberly serves as Arizona's state treasurer, an office she assumed in January 2019. She was elected to the Arizona Legislature in 2010 and served for eight years in the House and Senate.

According to her campaign, Yee's education vision includes a Back to Basics approach featuring phonics-based reading instruction, traditional mathematics, home economics and shop classes. She also supports vocational education and redirecting more funding from administration directly into classrooms.

Kimberly Yee wins GOP primary for Arizona schools superintendent

Yee also said that the Department of Education needs “fresh, new ideas,” a not so subtle reference to the fact that Horne was state schools chief between 2003 and 2010 and got the job back in 2023 after a stint as attorney general. And she has an idea of what that includes.

“It’s very clear that we need to bring phonics back into the classroom for reading instruction,” Yee said, a reference to a method of teaching reading and writing that focuses on identifying the sounds of letters or groups of letters.

“Every school in Arizona teaches phonics,” Horne responded. “And it’s been the law since 2008.”

Horne vs. Yee: Republican opponents square off over state education, ESA fraud

Supports traditional mathematics, home economics, and shop classes as part of a “Back to Basics” curriculum.

Supports phonics-based reading instruction in Arizona classrooms.

- Supports traditional mathematics, home economics, and shop classes as part of a “Back to Basics” curriculum.
- Supports phonics-based reading instruction in Arizona classrooms.

School Curriculum

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Funds should be reduced from school district administration and directed to classroom spending, where it impacts students and teachers. Underused and vacant school district buildings due to rapid declining enrollment should be available for lease or purchase by charter schools and private schools at fair market value. Taxpayers should have better fiscal transparency on how dollars are budgeted and spent after receiving local, state and federal funds, including bonds and overrides.

Voter Guide Profile for AZ Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate - Kimberly Yee

Supports redirecting funds from school district administration to classroom spending.

Calls for greater taxpayer transparency in school budgeting and spending, including bond and override funds.

- Supports redirecting funds from school district administration to classroom spending.
- Calls for greater taxpayer transparency in school budgeting and spending, including bond and override funds.

School Facilities & Resources

##### VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree

Supports parents’ authority to direct their children’s health and educational well-being.

- Supports parents’ authority to direct their children’s health and educational well-being.

Student Wellbeing

As of October 11, 2026, Kimberly Yee’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Teachers

“Together, we will protect and expand school choice so that every child in Arizona has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education—no matter what educational environment they choose,” Yee said. “Parents deserve the best education for their child.”

“Arizona is a place I love and where I was born and raised. It’s our state to protect and preserve for children and families. During my time in elected office, it has been a blessing to get to know thousands of hardworking Arizonans, and in our time together, I’ve found a shared vision for our state — a secure border, safe neighborhoods, a strong economy, individual freedoms protected, and a world-class education for their children.
Arizona children deserve a State Superintendent who will deliver real results, and that includes someone who will fight to protect their educational freedom – I am that candidate.”
– Kimberly Yee

Kimberly Yee for Arizona

Supports protecting and expanding school choice across educational environments.

Supports making underused and vacant district school buildings available for charter and private schools to lease or purchase at fair market value.

- Supports protecting and expanding school choice across educational environments.
- Supports making underused and vacant district school buildings available for charter and private schools to lease or purchase at fair market value.

Access to Education

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Kimberly Yee

- Supports phonics-based reading instruction in Arizona classrooms.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

MEET TERRY: “I was raised in South Phoenix and attended public schools in the Roosevelt School District and Phoenix Union High School District. My parents worked hard to make sure their children understood the value of an education and pushed us to keep reaching for our dreams.”

MEET TERRY

The Association of Community College Trustees biography states: “Dr. Ruiz has a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics from Arizona State University, a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University, and Doctorate in Higher and Post-Secondary Education from ASU. She retired as the President of Glendale Community College in the Maricopa County Community College District in January 2023 after 27 years of experience in higher education.”

Teresa Leyba Ruiz, Ed.D.

Teresa Leyba Ruiz was raised in South Phoenix. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education with a major in mathematics from Arizona State University, a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University, and a doctorate in higher and post-secondary education from Arizona State University.

Teresa Leyba Ruiz, Ed.D. - ACCT.org

Teresa Leyba Ruiz retired as president of Glendale Community College in the Maricopa County Community College District.

KJZZ reported: “I've never run for any political office ever, but these times demand something different from all of us,” Ruiz said. “Those who can serve, I believe should serve.”

2 career politicians and 2 newcomers are in the Arizona superintendent race

Teresa's campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction is her first run for public office.

Responding to a school-accountability question, Ruiz wrote: “In order to successfully prepare students for the future in the evolving global economy, we have a responsibility to ensure that our students are learning curriculum, skills, and qualities necessary to succeed. As such, public and charter schools are held accountable for real results.”

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Election Guide - Hear from the candidates - AZPM

Following her statement that public and charter schools are accountable for results, Ruiz wrote: “Public dollars demand public accountability — and if private schools are receiving hard-earned taxpayer dollars, it is our responsibility to ensure that their funding is being used to adequately prepare students for success.”

PREPARE EVERY STUDENT: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Offer guidance and best practices on A.I. so educators can make informed and safe decisions for their students.”

PRIORITIES

PREPARE EVERY STUDENT: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: End the distractions and FOCUS on math and literacy initiatives to support student success.”

Supports holding public and charter schools accountable for student results.

Supports accountability for private schools receiving taxpayer dollars to ensure students are prepared for success.

Promotes accountability for private schools receiving taxpayer dollars to ensure students are prepared for success.

Plans to provide artificial intelligence guidance and best practices for educators.

Plans to focus on math and literacy initiatives.

- Supports holding public and charter schools accountable for student results.
- Promotes accountability for private schools receiving taxpayer dollars to ensure students are prepared for success.
- Plans to provide artificial intelligence guidance and best practices for educators.
- Plans to focus on math and literacy initiatives.

PROTECT TAXPAYERS: “Arizona taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent. … As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Create an ESA dashboard for transparent access to expenditures made with your tax funds.”

PROTECT TAXPAYERS: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Create an ESA dashboard for transparent access to expenditures made with your tax funds. End the automatic approval of ESA expenditures of $2,000 or less, which have cost the state over $600M in one year.”

PROTECT TAXPAYERS: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: End the automatic approval of ESA expenditures of $2,000 or less, which have cost the state over $600M in one year. Establish rigorous audit protocols to ensure every tax dollar is spent for the intended purpose of educating Arizona’s students.”

INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: “When we appropriate resources to K-12 schools, every child regardless of zip code should have access to a high quality education that leads to an abundance of opportunities. As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Advocate for increased funding for our public schools at the state legislature.”

INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Support rural and urban school districts alike to ensure their unique needs are accounted for, rather than ignored.”

Plans to create an Empowerment Scholarship Account dashboard showing expenditures made with taxpayer funds.

Plans to end automatic approval of Empowerment Scholarship Account expenditures of $2,000 or less.

Plans to establish rigorous audits of education spending to ensure tax dollars serve their intended purpose.

Plans to advocate at the state legislature for increased public-school funding.

Plans to support rural and urban districts based on their distinct needs.

- Plans to create an Empowerment Scholarship Account dashboard showing expenditures made with taxpayer funds.
- Plans to end automatic approval of Empowerment Scholarship Account expenditures of $2,000 or less.
- Plans to establish rigorous audits of education spending to ensure tax dollars serve their intended purpose.
- Plans to advocate at the state legislature for increased public-school funding.
- Plans to support rural and urban districts based on their distinct needs.

PREPARE EVERY STUDENT: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Ensure students are safe and secure by increasing access to mental health professionals, free and reduced lunches, and enrichment activities.”

Plans to increase access to school mental-health professionals, free and reduced-price lunches, and enrichment activities.

- Plans to increase access to school mental-health professionals, free and reduced-price lunches, and enrichment activities.

RESPECT EDUCATORS: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Address the teacher shortage by restoring respect and trust towards educators because nobody wants to work for a bad boss.”

RESPECT EDUCATORS: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Partner with community colleges and universities to create teacher recruitment pipelines and retention programs that provide incentives, mentorships, and support.”

RESPECT EDUCATORS: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Advocate for increased teacher compensation so that our hardworking educators know they are valued.”

RESPECT EDUCATORS: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Work with County Superintendents and rural districts to reinstate professional development opportunities that have been abandoned under the current administration.”

Plans to address teacher shortages by restoring respect and trust toward educators.

Plans to partner with community colleges and universities on teacher recruitment and retention programs with incentives, mentoring, and support.

Plans to advocate for increased teacher compensation.

Plans to work with county superintendents and rural districts to reinstate professional-development opportunities.

- Plans to address teacher shortages by restoring respect and trust toward educators.
- Plans to partner with community colleges and universities on teacher recruitment and retention programs with incentives, mentoring, and support.
- Plans to advocate for increased teacher compensation.
- Plans to work with county superintendents and rural districts to reinstate professional-development opportunities.

In a candidate response, Ruiz wrote: “I’ll work with our school districts on a case-by-case basis, expand school offerings and CTE programs, and grant our schools the materials and dignity they deserve.”

INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: “Advocate for increased funding for our public schools at the state legislature. Rein in the universal ESA program that defunded $1B from public education.”

PREPARE EVERY STUDENT: “No matter their ability or background, every Arizona student deserves access to a high-quality education and the chance to succeed. As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Expand access to early learning opportunities, such as literacy and universal pre-K.”

PREPARE EVERY STUDENT: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Strengthen CTE and dual enrollment pathways by partnering with our labor unions.”

PREPARE EVERY STUDENT: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Support dual language learners through robust immersion programs.”

PREPARE EVERY STUDENT: “As your Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will: Broaden tutoring and after-school programs for students who need extra support.”

Plans to work with districts case by case to expand school offerings and career and technical education programs.

Seeks to work with districts case by case to expand school offerings and career and technical education programs.

Plans to rein in Arizona’s universal Empowerment Scholarship Account program.

Plans to expand early-learning access, including literacy programs and universal pre-kindergarten.

Plans to strengthen career and technical education and dual-enrollment pathways through partnerships with labor unions.

Plans to support dual-language learners through immersion programs.

Plans to broaden tutoring and after-school programs for students who need additional support.

- Seeks to work with districts case by case to expand school offerings and career and technical education programs.
- Plans to rein in Arizona’s universal Empowerment Scholarship Account program.
- Plans to expand early-learning access, including literacy programs and universal pre-kindergarten.
- Plans to strengthen career and technical education and dual-enrollment pathways through partnerships with labor unions.
- Plans to support dual-language learners through immersion programs.
- Plans to broaden tutoring and after-school programs for students who need additional support.

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Teresa Leyba Ruiz

- Plans to provide artificial intelligence guidance and best practices for educators.
- Plans to focus on math and literacy initiatives.

- Plans to rein in Arizona’s universal Empowerment Scholarship Account program.
- Plans to expand early-learning access, including literacy programs and universal pre-kindergarten.
- Plans to strengthen career and technical education and dual-enrollment pathways through partnerships with labor unions.
- Plans to support dual-language learners through immersion programs.
- Plans to broaden tutoring and after-school programs for students who need additional support.

Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction

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School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

Access to Education