Leaving office January 1, 2027.Lost re-election in 2026. This page switches to the former-officeholder layout when the term ends.

RepublicanIn office until January 1, 2027

T.J. Shope

Arizona State Senator, District 16 since 2020. Lost re-election in 2026; leaves office in January 2027. Ran in 7 elections between 2012 and 2022, winning 7.

Arizona State Senator, District 16Born 1985

Official website Wikipedia

In office: 6 yrs; Since 2020
Bills became law: 17; 74 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
Votes missed: 1.8%; Chamber median 3.3%
With party: 99%; On votes splitting the parties
Last margin: −2.5; Lost 2026
Elections: 8; 2012–2026

Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET

Committees

As of 2026-10.

Department of Economic Security Block Grants Legislative · co-chair
Director Nominations · vice chair
Health and Human Services · vice chair
Natural Resources · chair
Legislative Council
Legislative Water
Public Safety
Rules

Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Legislation

2025–2026 session · 74 sponsored · 17 became law

BillIntroCmteSenateHouseLaw

SB 1188 approved medications; scheduling; prescription authority
Became law Jun 2026

SB 1713 AHCCCS; procurement; contracting
Became law Jun 2026

SB 1189 campaign spending; personal security
Became law Jun 2026

SB 1448 aggravated assault; utility workers
Became law Jun 2026

SB 1446 social workers; documentation; dialysis centers
Became law Jun 2026

Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET

Voting record

2025–2026 session · placement by roll-call votes

Where Shope sits in the Arizona State Senate

Shope is closer to the center than 59% of the chamber's Republicans.

Closest: Kevin Payne, Tim Dunn, Carine Werner

Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:45 PM ET

With Shope’s party

Votes with the chamber's Republicans99%
Cosponsorships of the other party's bills14%

Black tick: the average of Republicans in the Arizona State Senate.

Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships

Key votes

Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Shope’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.

Date	Bill	Shope	Rep. majority	Dem. majority	Result
Jun 12, 2026	HB 2800: ignition interlock devices; violation; classification	Yes	No	Yes	Passed 17–12
Jun 12, 2026	HB 2305: private towing carriers; regulation; rates	Yes	Yes	No	Failed 13–14
Jun 9, 2026	HB 2611: group homes; safety; training; rights	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 17–12
Mar 9, 2026	HB 2993: DPS; legal representation; appropriation	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 16–13
Mar 4, 2026	SB 1627: schools; prohibition; unmanned aircraft	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 16–13

Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls

Career

Offices held, and every time Shope was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.

201220142016201820202022202420262028Arizona House of Representatives, District 8 Arizona State Senate, District 8 Arizona State Senate, District 16

Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)

Elections

Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.

Year	Race	Result	Margin	Seat	+/−
2026	Arizona State Senate, District 16	Lost	D+2.5	R+9.5	−12.0
2022	Arizona State Senate, District 16	Won	R+11.4	R+3.7	+7.7
2020	Arizona State Senate, District 8	Won	R+16.9	—	—
2018	Arizona House of Representatives, District 8	Won	D+0.3	—	—
2016	Arizona House of Representatives, District 8	Won	D+1.3	—	—
2014	Arizona House of Representatives, District 8	Won	D+0.5	—	—
2014	Arizona House of Representatives, District 8 (primary)	Won	−2.3	—	—
2012	Arizona House of Representatives, District 8	Won	D+2.4	—	—