Legislative District 29 (LD29) is one of the fastest-growing parts of Arizona. Surprise has grown from roughly 30,000 residents in 2000 to more than 140,000 at the 2020 Census, and Goodyear is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Growth brings jobs and new neighbors. It also brings traffic, rising housing costs and hard questions about water.
Eric Stafford’s position is simple: growth must work for residents, not just developers.
The projects reshaping LD29
- The Wittmann rail hub. The proposed $3.2 billion BNSF logistics hub in Wittmann would transform the rural northwest corner of the district.
- Data centers. New data centers can use enormous amounts of water and power in a desert that is already short on both.
- Warehouses and subdivisions. Across Surprise, Goodyear and El Mirage, development is outpacing the roads, schools and utilities that support it.
What Eric will do in the State Senate
- Give communities a real voice. Guarantee community input on major projects like the Wittmann rail hub and water-intensive data centers.
- Put water first. Prioritize water and utility infrastructure before approving new developments, and protect Arizona’s groundwater.
- Require real environmental review. Demand environmental impact assessments for large-scale industrial projects.
- Protect existing neighborhoods. Shield established communities from overdevelopment and industrial encroachment.
- Fix West Valley transportation. Expand public transit like buses and light rail, and invest in safe bike lanes, so the West Valley isn’t stuck in traffic.
- Beat the heat. Invest in shade, green space and cooling centers, and adopt extreme-heat protections for outdoor workers.
- Keep homes affordable. Make sure new development includes affordable housing commitments.
Why the State Senate matters here
Many of the decisions that shape West Valley growth, including water law, environmental rules, transportation funding and how much say local communities get, run through the Arizona Legislature. LD29’s state senator has a direct vote on all of it.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, LD29 voters will choose between Democratic nominee Eric Stafford and Republican incumbent Sen. Janae Shamp. See if you live in LD29, read Eric’s full platform, and make a plan to vote.