President Pro Tempore

Legislative District 16

 

Home City: Coolidge

Occupation: Small business owner

Senator Since: 2021

 

2023 Committees​:​

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T.J. Shope is a resident of Coolidge, Arizona, and has long been active in the community. Born in Florence, Shope has lived in Coolidge for the overwhelming majority of his life and is a graduate of Coolidge High School and Central Arizona College, where he was inducted into the CAC Wall of Success. He also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Arizona State University.

 

Elected to the Coolidge Unified School District Governing Board in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 & 2016, he was voted to be the board’s vice-president upon taking office in 2009 and in 2013, was elected the board’s president and held that position until January 2020 when he assumed the role of vice-president for his final year in office that concluded in December of 2020.

 

In the House of Representatives, Shope served on the House Committee on Agriculture & Water, the House Committee on Energy, Environment & Natural Resources as well as the House Committee on Commerce. He served as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House from 2017-2021 as well as serving as the Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics, Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, member of the House Committee on Education, and member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water.

 

Shope was elected to the Arizona State Senate in 2020 and took office January 11, 2021. In the Senate, he serves as the Vice Chairman of three committees: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water; Transportation & Technology; and Education. He is also a Member of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. In addition, he serves as a Senate Member of the Legislative Council.

 

Shope is married to Melissa and co-owns his family’s long-time business, Shope’s IGA Supermarket, in Coolidge. He is also employed by National Bank of Arizona as the Community Sales Development Officer for the Phoenix based bank.