Representative Teresa Martinez

Teresa Martinez is an American politician and currently serves as the Republican Majority Whip for the Arizona House of Representatives, representing the 16th legislative district. She was initially appointed to the seat in 2021 after the incumbent Representative Bret Roberts resigned from office. In 2022, she was elected for a full term.

Martinez was born and raised in Casa Grande, the heart of Pinal County, Arizona. She is the oldest of five children and her father was a miner at the San Manuel Mine. Before entering politics, Teresa worked as a long-term substitute teacher at her alma mater, Casa Grande Union High School, for several years and at the Frito Lay factory in Casa Grande.

She has a long history working in politics, holding staff positions for two Members of Congress, Congressman Rick Renzi and Congressman Paul Gosar, and with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office under Republican Michelle Reagan. She also previously worked as the political director for the Arizona Republican Party.

In her current role, she has been serving with Keith Seaman since January 9, 2023. Prior to this, she was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 11th district from November 1, 2021, to January 9, 2023. She succeeded Bret Roberts and was succeeded by Marcelino Quiñonez in this role.