{ "id": "epfkahsdv2", "slug": "j-d-mesnard", "title": "J.D. 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Mesnard is an American Republican politician who represents Arizona's 13th Senate district, covering Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes, and previously served as Speaker of the Arizona House.", "snippet": "J.D. Mesnard is an American Republican politician who represents Arizona's 13th Senate district, covering Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes, and previously served as Speaker of the Arizona House.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.western-and-pacific-state-legislators.alpha-i-to-m", "markdown": "# J.D. Mesnard\n\nJ.D. Mesnard is an American politician and a Republican member of the Arizona Senate from the 13th district, which includes Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes.[1](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137) He previously served eight years in the Arizona House of Representatives, including as Speaker of the House.[2](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard) He is chairman of the Senate Finance and Commerce Committee of Reference.[1](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Republican[1](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137) |\n| Current office | Member of the Arizona Senate, District 13[1](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137) |\n| Previous offices | Arizona State Senator, District 17; Arizona State House of Representatives; Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives[2](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard) |\n| Born | MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida[3](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislator=2137&legislature=56) |\n| Education | Adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University and Mesa Community College[2](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nMesnard is a Republican.[1](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137) He serves in the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus.[2](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nMesnard was born at [MacDill Air Force Base](https://www.edgepedia.org/macdill-air-force-base) in [Tampa, Florida](https://www.edgepedia.org/tampa-florida); his father is a retired fighter pilot.[3](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislator=2137&legislature=56) He has lived in Arizona for almost 30 years and resides in Chandler with his wife, Holly, a registered nurse at Chandler Regional Hospital.[3](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislator=2137&legislature=56) Their first child, a daughter named Calielle (\"Callie-ELL\") Lila Mesnard, was born in 2019.[3](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislator=2137&legislature=56) He has taught political science courses at [Arizona State University](https://www.edgepedia.org/arizona-state-university) and Mesa Community College for nearly two decades.[2](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard)\n\n## Career\n\nBefore running for office, Mesnard worked eight years as a policy advisor in the Arizona Senate and has spent nearly a decade working at a nonprofit legal advocacy organization that, in the words of his campaign website, helps \"protect constitutional rights and assist individuals navigating the legal system.\"[4](https://jdmesnard.com/about/)\n\nMesnard served eight years in the Arizona House of Representatives, including two years as Speaker of the House.[2](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard) He then served in the Arizona Senate representing District 17 (Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes), where he was vice-chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.[3](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislator=2137&legislature=56) He later moved to the [District 13](https://www.edgepedia.org/district-13) seat after redistricting placed Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes in that district.[1](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137) In the Senate he serves as chairman of the Senate Finance and Commerce Committee of Reference.[1](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137) He has represented Chandler and Sun Lakes in the Arizona Senate since January 2019.[4](https://jdmesnard.com/about/) He is also a small business owner, investor, and consultant who works with charities, churches, and non-profits.[2](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard)\n\n## Positions and legislative record\n\n### Taxation\n\nMesnard has described himself as a supporter of taxpayer protections and fiscal responsibility. In 2026, legislation he sponsored in the Senate Finance Committee, SB 1221, passed the [Legislature](https://www.edgepedia.org/legislature) and was transmitted to the Governor for consideration.[5](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/senator-mesnard-bill-protecting-taxpayers-from-surprise-tax-hikes-heads-to-governor) The bill requires the Arizona Department of Revenue to notify legislative tax committees before adopting a new interpretation or application of state tax law that would adversely affect taxpayers, and provides an opportunity for legislative hearings and public input before those changes take effect.[5](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/senator-mesnard-bill-protecting-taxpayers-from-surprise-tax-hikes-heads-to-governor) Mesnard said at the time, \"Taxpayers should not wake up one day and discover a state agency has quietly changed the rules in a way that costs them money.\"[5](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/senator-mesnard-bill-protecting-taxpayers-from-surprise-tax-hikes-heads-to-governor) He also said, \"If the Department of Revenue wants to adopt a new interpretation of tax law that negatively impacts Arizona families, job creators, or small businesses, there ought to be transparency, public scrutiny, and accountability first.\"[5](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/senator-mesnard-bill-protecting-taxpayers-from-surprise-tax-hikes-heads-to-governor) SB 1221 was vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs; its latest action was on June 19, 2026.[5](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/senator-mesnard-bill-protecting-taxpayers-from-surprise-tax-hikes-heads-to-governor)\n\n## References\n\n1. [J.D. Mesnard, Arizona Senate](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=56&legislator=2137)\n2. [J.D. Mesnard, Arizona Senate Republicans](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/mesnard)\n3. [J.D. Mesnard, Arizona State Senate legislator page](https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislator=2137&legislature=56)\n4. [About J.D. Mesnard](https://jdmesnard.com/about/)\n5. [Senator Mesnard Bill Protecting Taxpayers from Surprise Tax Hikes Heads to Governor](https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/press-releases/senator-mesnard-bill-protecting-taxpayers-from-surprise-tax-hikes-heads-to-governor)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Western and Pacific state legislators › Surnames I to M*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026; Oct 12, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/j-d-mesnard", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/j-d-mesnard.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"J.D. Mesnard\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/j-d-mesnard. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[J.D. Mesnard](https://www.edgepedia.org/j-d-mesnard)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/j-d-mesnard](https://www.edgepedia.org/j-d-mesnard). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"J.D. Mesnard\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/j-d-mesnard. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "J.D. Mesnard is an American Republican politician who represents Arizona's 13th Senate district, covering Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes, and previously served as Speaker of the Arizona House." }