Meet Mark Finchem
Senator Mark Finchem is working to secure the rights and protections for the People. Mark understands that if our elections are not secure and transparent, we can’t rely on their integrity. Described as a fiscal hawk, Mark believes that smaller government means bigger freedom; private sector action is the antidote to government bloat. “Wise and cautious stewardship of public funds with transparent accountability has always been a priority for me.”
Mark Finchem brings a wealth of experience to his role as Arizona State Senator for Legislative District 1. Born and raised in Michigan, he dedicated 21 years to public safety with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety—first as a firefighter/paramedic and then as a law enforcement officer. During that time, he earned an AAS in Criminal Justice from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, laying the foundation for his deep understanding of law and public service.
During his career as a law enforcement officer, Mark lived a farmer/rancher life in a small rural community outside Kalamazoo. After retiring, Mark moved to Tucson, Arizona. There, he stepped into leadership roles in both small business and at Intuit, the software company behind QuickBooks, where he earned a world-class business operations education and a Six Sigma process improvement certification.
Mark’s commitment to public service continued with his election to the state legislature in 2015. Serving first as a State Representative until 2023, he quickly earned a reputation for asking the tough questions—especially in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. In 2022, he ran as the GOP nominee for Arizona Secretary of State, earning the endorsement of President Donald Trump, and later received his endorsement again during his campaign for State Senate.
A staunch supporter of secure and transparent elections, Mark co-founded the Election Fairness Institute in 2018. The organization examines election processes, identifies defects, and recommends corrective actions nationwide. As a legislator, he now chairs the Federalism Committee and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, while also serving on the Judiciary and Elections Committees.
Mark holds a BA in Government (State & Local Public Policy) from Grand Canyon University, graduating summa cum laude, and an MA in Legal Studies in Law & Economics from the University of Arizona, Rogers Law School, where he graduated cum laude. His background in law enforcement, business, and education underpins his unwavering commitment to the Constitution, conservative principles, and the truth.