Julia Romero Gusse

Julia Romero Gusse is a U.S. Air Force veteran and former Maricopa City councilmember running to flip a seat in the Arizona House this November. Julia, a lifelong public servant, is guided by a commitment to service and accountability, and has spent her career supporting veterans, strengthening local communities, and delivering practical, people-first solutions.

With the support of the DLCC’s Target Races program, Julia is mounting a strong campaign to flip this vulnerable GOP-held district and help Democrats gain the four seats they need to take majority control of the Arizona House.

After decades of GOP control, 2026 is a historic opportunity to flip the Arizona state legislature from red to blue and establish a new Democratic trifecta.

Over the past several election cycles, the DLCC has worked with Arizona Democrats to win key races in both of the state’s legislative chambers, putting blue majorities within striking distance. 

This year, the hard work of the DLCC and state Democrats has primed Arizona for a long-overdue shift in legislative power. A 4-seat gain is needed to establish a new Democratic majority in the Arizona House. In the Senate, a gain of just 3 seats is needed to achieve a Democratic majority.

Both the Arizona House and Senate are top priorities on the DLCC’s 2026 Target Map, as a Democratic-led legislature and potential trifecta would help strengthen the firewall in the states against the chaos of MAGA extremism.