Last fall, after my first session as a freshman legislator, I held bipartisan, "town hall–style" updates across my district. These meetings were once common here, but as political division has grown in Arizona and across this remarkable country—and yes, I love my country—these meetings have largely disappeared. I knew it might not go well. Still, I was elected to serve everyone in Legislative District 8, so we invited all voters and scheduled three meetings.
At each meeting, we posted four simple guidelines for civil dialogue. A moderator opened by emphasizing my desire to represent the entire district, regardless of party, and shared that all parties were in the room. The moderator discussed the importance of civil discussion. I then gave a brief overview of my first session and opened the floor for questions.
The first meeting, held for four Mesa precincts I strive to include, had a small turnout. This allowed for real discussion. By the end, even the hesitant attendees had asked a question. The room took on a personal tone as we discussed various issues surfacing in early October 2025 and also priorities for the coming session. To this day, I don’t know anyone’s party affiliation.
The second meeting drew about thirty-five people, a strong response for this kind of outreach. About forty minutes into this meeting, someone called out, “What party are you with, Janeen?” I explained that I am a Democrat and a moderate, focused not on who sponsors a bill but on whether it is good policy. I vote for good bills and against bad ones—and I hope my constituents support that approach. To everyone's surprise, this message was well received.
Fifty-five people attended the final meeting in late October. When I took the microphone, I could see fear on many faces. After an hour, I offered to stay until every question was answered. Most remained for another hour. I don’t know if I eased their fears, but I believe they saw that I am accessible and open, and that I am committed to doing good.
I am grateful for the dialogue, the honesty, and the clarity these meetings provided. They have strengthened my relationships with my constituents as well as my confidence representing them on the House floor. I am most encouraged that, in troubling times, we came together without one moment of incivility. Clearly, we all love this country. A small note on my desk on the House floor reads: “Is the bill good for some, or good for all?” That is my measure, and I believe it reflects my constituents’ expectations.