A new national index ranking Arizona lawmakers by how closely their votes align with what one group calls “biblically based” policy positions placed two legislators representing Maricopa above the organization’s award threshold. A third narrowly missed it and is now pushing back.

Rep. Chris Lopez (R-Casa Grande) and Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge) both earned the Christian Employers Alliance’s “Defender of Biblical Business Award,” given to lawmakers whose voting records align with the organization’s positions at least 80% of the time.

According to the rankings released Thursday morning, Lopez finished as the 29th most conforming lawmaker in Arizona to the group’s positions, with an alignment score of 80.2%. Shope ranked 24th statewide with 81.5%.

Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande) ranked five spots below Lopez and fell just short of the 80% threshold, posting a 79.1% alignment score.

In an interview with InMaricopa about an hour after the first-of-its-kind index was released, Martinez said she stands by her record and questioned the premise that a single policy vote could determine whether someone votes in a biblical way.

“I’m happy that they consider T.J. and Chris biblical people,” Martinez said. “I walk by faith and I love God and I love Jesus, and they love me.”

She pointed to several pieces of legislation she says were designed to incorporate faith and church participation into public policy.

“I have passed bills last year and the year before last giving pathways for people to seek God through legislation,” Martinez said. “I created a diversion program for youth to be able to go to church to hear the word of God to collect community service hours. That was signed on Good Friday by the governor.”

She said she also sponsored legislation allowing some first-time DUI offenders to complete restitution requirements through church-based programming.

Martinez said she has a bill moving through the Arizona Senate that would allow prayer to be heard at a school board meeting if even one member requests it.

CEA said its Biblical Business Index evaluates how lawmakers vote on issues the organization ties to biblical principles governing business and public policy, including workforce policy, property rights, religious liberty and government spending.

The group said 33 of the 90 members of the Arizona Legislature met its 80% threshold for the Defender of Biblical Business designation.

“Scripture warns that ‘the borrower is slave to the lender’ (Proverbs 22:7), and that lesson applies to government spending as surely as it does to family finances,” said Margaret Iuculano, president of CEA, in an email to InMaricopa. “With the national debt spiraling out of control, the need for restraint and responsible stewardship is urgent at every level of government… We look forward to working with Arizona lawmakers to implement faith-based solutions that strengthen fiscal accountability and protect the long-term freedom of families and employers.”

According to the index, Martinez recorded 100% alignment in 2025 on what the organization labels “workforce freedom,” “operational freedom” and “first freedoms.”

Those categories include policies the group describes as ensuring employers treat workers “with dignity, fairness and respect,” protecting property rights and limiting litigation, and promoting business practices reflecting Christian principles.

Her lower scores came in other categories. The index lists Martinez at 66.7% alignment on “healthcare freedoms” and 60% on “economic freedoms.”

The most recent example came when Martinez voted for legislation appropriating $1 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026, and annually thereafter, for the Arizona Department of Economic Security to create a “produce incentive program” subsidizing the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. CEA opposed the bill, arguing it expands government involvement in consumer behavior.

It was the only time in her last 22 votes that Martinez broke from CEA’s position. Still, the group accused her of “fueling wasteful spending by forcing taxpayers to fund fresh fruit and vegetable access.”

Martinez dismissed the criticism.

“If they want to say I’m not Christian enough or I don’t vote Christian-like because I want fresh fruits and vegetables for poor people, then so be it,” she said. “Good luck to them. God bless you. I’m going to keep doing me.”

Martinez concluded: “I’m going to enjoy some fresh fruits and vegetables today!”