Public school advocates call for ethics probe of Rep. Matt Gress over out-of-state lobbying
Based on reporting by Wayne Schutsky for KJZZ, published July 2, 2026.
A group of public school advocates is calling on the Arizona House Ethics Committee to investigate Republican Rep. Matt Gress, alleging that his lobbying in other states has influenced his work at the Legislature, KJZZ reported.
Gress works for Americans for Fair Treatment, an Oklahoma nonprofit that KJZZ says advocates for anti-union legislation, according to his financial disclosure statement. The Arizona Agenda previously reported that he is registered to lobby for the group in New Hampshire, Iowa, Indiana and Arkansas. He is not a lobbyist in Arizona, where state law bars lawmakers from lobbying the Legislature.
Jacob Martinez, vice president of the Save Our Schools Arizona board and a legislative candidate in District 9, accused Gress of pushing legislation tied to his employer. He cited HCR 2040, a measure Republican lawmakers sent to the ballot that would restrict public school teachers' union activities. Denise Prevette, who said she lives in Gress's district, alleged that he lobbies for the group as an elected official and as House Education Committee chair.
Gress denied the allegations and called them "partisan attacks" as he seeks reelection. "The facts here are simple: my employer was not involved in HCR 2040, and my outside employment has no role in Arizona policy matters," he said. He also said he supports a special session to repeal HCR 2040 after other public sector unions raised concerns about its language.
KJZZ noted that other lawmakers also work for groups with positions on legislation, and that the critics addressed only Gress.
A House Republican spokesman said a House member would first have to file a complaint, and that none had been filed. A House Democratic spokesman said he was unaware of plans to file one.