Running for LD16 State House
With more than 15 years of leadership in higher education and over a decade of elected and appointed public service, Julia Romero Gusse brings a distinguished record of advancing policy, strengthening institutions, and serving veterans and their families. She served as Legislative Policy Administrator for the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services until early February 2026 when she retired to run for office.
Previously, Julia was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In that role, she advised on national policy, collaborated with federal agencies, and contributed to major legislative initiatives, including implementation efforts related to the PACT Act and veterans’ education benefits.
Julia has experience as an elected official as she served two terms on the Maricopa City Councilmember where she helped guide municipal growth, infrastructure development, and veteran-focused initiatives. She also directed the federally funded Veterans Upward Bound program at Arizona State University, supporting veterans’ transition into higher education.
A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, Julia holds a master’s degree from the University of Arizona and a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles. She currently resides in Maricopa City with her husband.
Check out her website here!