Justin Olson  

MAGA Republican extremist Justin Olson is a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, representing District 10. He assumed office on January 13, 2025. His current term ends on January 11, 2027. From 2011 to 2017, Olson served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, representing the 19th and 25th districts. On October 17, 2017, Governor Doug Ducey appointed Olson to fill a vacancy on the Arizona Corporation Commission. He was elected to a full term in 2018. In October 2021, Olson declared his candidacy for the 2022 United States Senate election in Arizona. He lost the Republican primary to Blake Masters. Olson ran for election to the Arizona House of Representatives to represent District 10. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024. Prior to his political career Olson served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA. Olson has filed a Statement of Interest with the Arizona Secretary of State and is running for election as State Representative for LD10.

-- SUMMATION --

 
Justin Olson, a current member of the Arizona House of Representatives (District 10) and former Corporation Commissioner, has a legislative record and political platform that consistently oppose LGBTQIA+ rights and protections. (ref)
 
His stance is defined by his alignment with the conservative "Pro-Family" legislative majority, his leadership role in a national conservative organization, and his support for "parental rights" policies that impact LGBTQIA+ youth.
 
Legislative Voting Record (2025)
 
Since returning to the State House in January 2025, Olson has aligned with the Republican majority to pass several bills restricting the rights of transgender Arizonans. While individual roll call votes for every bill are not always publicized in snippets, his voting block and platform indicate support for the following key measures:
 
  • Gender Transition Ban (HB 2085): Olson was part of the House Republican majority that passed this bill in February 2026 (introduced in the 2025-2026 session). The legislation prohibits gender transition procedures for minors.
  • Birth Certificate Restrictions (HB 2438 - 2025 Session): In the 2025 legislative session, the House passed HB 2438, a bill designed to prohibit individuals from changing the sex designation on their birth certificates to match their gender identity.
  • Note: A different bill with the same number (HB 2438) was introduced in the 2026 session regarding a "podiatric licensure compact." Olson's relevant vote regarding LGBTQIA+ issues pertains to the 2025 version of the bill.
  • Restroom & Facility Restrictions (SB 1003): The House passed this bill in 2025 (later vetoed by the Governor), which sought to ban transgender students from using school bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity.
  • Strict Definitions of Sex (HB 2062): This bill, also passed by the House in 2025 and vetoed, aimed to codify strict, biological definitions of "sex" and "gender" across all state laws to exclude transgender identities from legal recognition.
Political Platform & Affiliations
 
Olson's stance is heavily influenced by his professional and ideological affiliations, which prioritize "religious liberty" and "parental rights" over LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
 
  • Turning Point USA (TPUSA): Olson serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Turning Point USA, a national conservative organization that actively campaigns against "woke ideology," gender identity curriculum in schools, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. (ref)
  • "Parental Rights" in Education: Olson supports legislation requiring schools to inform parents about a child's "mental, emotional, or physical health." In the context of recent Arizona legislation, this language is often used to mandate that teachers "out" transgender or non-binary students to their parents without the student's consent.
  • Religious Liberty: During his previous tenure and campaigns, Olson argued that "hate-speech laws have been used to restrict freedom of religion," a common argument used to oppose non-discrimination ordinances that protect LGBTQIA+ individuals in public accommodations.
  • Anti-Abortion & Healthcare: He has a "100% pro-life" voting record and previously sponsored successful legislation to defund Planned Parenthood in Arizona, a move that often impacts LGBTQIA+ individuals who rely on the organization for general healthcare and screenings. (ref)

- - - -

 
Justin Olson, currently an Arizona State Representative and former Corporation Commissioner, has been involved in several significant controversies regarding utility regulation ethics, his leadership role in a partisan organization, and legislative feuds.
 
1. APS "Sock Puppet" Allegations (2018)
 
During his tenure on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), Olson faced intense scrutiny for his close alignment with Arizona Public Service (APS), the state's largest electric monopoly.
 
  • The Incident: Investigative reports revealed that Olson used talking points provided by APS nearly verbatim during an interview with a Wall Street analyst. (ref)
  • The Controversy: Critics and watchdog groups accused him of acting as a "sock puppet" for the utility he was supposed to be regulating independently.
  • His Defense: Olson argued that he cross-referenced the information and maintained that he disagreed with APS on other key issues, such as retail competition.
2. Turning Point USA & "Dark Money" (2021–Present)
 
Olson serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a polarizng national conservative organization. This dual role has sparked ethical debates about a state regulator/legislator holding a high-ranking executive position in a politically active nonprofit. (ref)
 
  • January 6th Distancing: Following the 2021 Capitol riots, Olson faced questions about TPUSA's involvement. He publicly denied that TPUSA sponsored the rally, distinguishing it from its affiliate "Turning Point Action," despite the organizations sharing leadership and resources.  (ref)
  • Campaign Finance Complaints: The Turning Point network has faced multiple complaints regarding "dark money" disclosures. As CFO of the parent organization, Olson is often linked to these financial controversies, including recent allegations in 2025 regarding undisclosed political spending in Arizona. (ref 1) (ref 2) (ref 3)
3. Legislative Feuds & "Poorly Written" Bills (2025–2026)
 
Since returning to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2025, Olson has clashed with his former colleagues at the Corporation Commission.
 
  • The "Revolving Door" Bill: In March 2025, Olson introduced legislation ostensibly designed to stop commissioners from immediately working for utilities after their terms.
  • The Backlash: Sitting Republican ACC Commissioner Kevin Thompson Kevin Thompson publicly slammed the bill, stating it was "so poorly written and ill-conceived" that "a high schooler could have probably done a better job." The commission took the unusual step of formally opposing Olson's bill, citing its lack of understanding of commission operations.
  • Union Defunding: In March 2026, Olson sponsored a controversial referral to strip the Arizona Education Association (the teachers' union) of its ability to use payroll deductions. Critics labeled the move as direct political retaliation for the union's opposition to school vouchers. (ref)
4. 2020 Election Stance
 
During his 2022 campaign for the U.S. Senate, Olson refused to explicitly acknowledge the validity of the 2020 presidential election results. He frequently cited "anomalies" and the need for investigations, aligning with the "stolen election" narrative without providing concrete evidence, which drew criticism from democracy advocates and distinct contrast from other officials who accepted the results. (ref)
 

Source

Arizona Utilities Regulator Justin Olson Enters GOP Senate Race, Slams Democrats' Spending Proposal As 'Socialist State'
"As a utility regulator, Olson nearly succeeded in killing clean energy rules that could have boosted solar, energy efficiency and other clean power sources. When the rules were revived, the requirements were weaker than they otherwise would have been because of Olson’s opposition."
Oct. 13, 2021

"Justin Olson, an elected utility regulator in Arizona, holds a second job as the Chief Financial Officer of Turning Point USA, a right-wing organization which has come under fire since its political arm sponsored the “March for Trump” rally in Washington, D.C. that preceded the violent and deadly riot and invasion of the U.S. Capitol building on January 6."

 

"Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has denied having any role in the rally and has condemned the violence that immediately followed it, saying that only its political affiliate, Turning Point Action, was a sponsor. The CEO and founder of both Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action, Charlie Kirk, deleted a tweet boasting of “sending 80+ buses full of patriots to fight for this president.”"

Jan. 12, 2021
Arizona Corporation Commissioner Justin Olson Used APS Talking Points In Call On Key Issues
"Arizona Corporation Commissioner Justin Olson took talking points on renewable energy and environmental programs provided by Arizona Public Service Co. and cited them, often verbatim, to a Wall Street analyst who was seeking information about his views as a regulator. [...] An EPI official and one of Olson's political rivals said the reciting of APS policy positions shows Olson can't be objective when deciding rates and other policies for the company."
Oct. 18, 2018
List Of Arizona Republicans Who Voted For Anti-Gay Discrimination Bill
"This goes to show how DIRTY & ROTTEN Republicans are and how there are no limits to their heartlessness and callousness."
Feb. 28, 2014
Federal Judge Rules State Can't Cut Planned Parenthood Funds
Oct. 22, 2012

PLEASE NOTE:  A "Yes" vote would allow ranch dogs to be neglected or abandoned, killed and tortured. It would allow the  owner of a ranch dog to inflict unnecessary injury to the animal and not provide medical attention.

  
PAID FOR BY STONEWALL DEMOCRATS OF ARIZONA • NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE
Email: stonewalldemsaz@gmail.com. All Original Content Copyright ©2024 Stonewall Democrats of Arizona. All Rights Reserved.
 Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Fair Use Notice