Meet Teri
Teri Ann Hourihan is a proud Arizona native, devoted mother, small business owner of an integrated health care company, and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Since becoming licensed in 2017 and earning her Ph.D. in 2018, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals, families, and communities navigate challenges and build stronger futures.
Teri entered the race for Governor with one mission: to serve the people of Arizona. Driven by her love for the state and concern for its future, she is committed to protecting families, restoring trust in government, and addressing the corruption and systemic failures that continue to harm everyday Arizonans.
“I am tired of watching the people of the state I love—including myself—be harmed by the very individuals and systems that were put in place to help us. Arizona deserves better.” — Teri
Statement
Teri chose to run as an Independent/No Labels because she believes the growing political division in our state and nation is preventing meaningful solutions and leaving too many people behind. She believes Arizona needs leadership that brings people together, not further apart, and that the needs of citizens must always come before political agendas.
Guided by honesty, integrity, accountability, and common sense, Teri is committed to making decisions based on what is best for Arizona—not what is best for political parties, special interests, or wealthy donors. While she respects differing political viewpoints, her focus remains on serving all Arizonans regardless of party affiliation.
Teri does not accept, and will not accept (ever), PAC or corporate donations. She believes that special-interest influence has become one of the greatest obstacles to effective government and that elected officials should be accountable to the people they serve—not to donors or political organizations.
As Governor, Teri will work to restore public trust by ensuring that government agencies and public servants prioritize the people first. She believes many of Arizona’s systems are no longer serving citizens as intended and that meaningful reform is necessary to protect families, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life across the state.
Her priorities include addressing the rising cost of living, implementing a universal childcare program, protecting school choice and ensuring tax payer dollars going into the education system is accounted for, securing Arizona’s water future, reducing the homelessness, removing public encampments by providing safe shelters and resources, improving the court systems for families, supporting rural communities, ensuring an effective legal immigration process, and promoting government accountability.
Above all, Teri believes leadership begins with listening. She is committed to being accessible, approachable, and accountable to the people of Arizona. Teri understands that problems cannot be solved by ignoring the voices of those most affected by them—Arizonans. Teri believes government works best when it works alongside the people. Her administration will prioritize openness, accountability, and public engagement to ensure every Arizonan has a voice in the future of their state.
Personal Bio
I am an Arizona native. I grew up with alcoholism disease within my family and by age 10 I was already on the way to a hard path of addiction. I dropped out of high school at 16, earned my GED, then began college. My lifestyle and the disease of addiction following me. Tired of my life direction and almost dead, I gave my life to Jesus and began a life of sobriety on May 21, 2008, age 23. I set out from this point on to help other people get sober and know Jesus.
Despite difficulty, I continued on this path because I chose life. I continued in school and set high goals, and today looking back I believe I continue to meet my goals. I earned my PhD and became a licensed therapist to help people through my continued passion but also through an educated mind. I traveled on mission trips to Uganda, Kenya, and India to reach people and learn culture. I have lived through bankruptcy, divorce, hardship, and loss. A Bible verse that I have leaned on through my journey, to keep a positive perception of loss and hardship, continues to be “all things work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28).
Today, I am a mother of two young boys and engaged to their father, my longterm partner. I have founded several companies including Teri’s Health Services (THS) and USA Advocate4all, both of which are dear to my heart. THS serves all people across Arizona for behavioral heath and medical. THS has been through a storm since 2023 which has led me to this moment of wanting justice for so many hurting in Arizona. USA Advocate4all was founded in response to the loss and injustice I experienced in THS. This platform that runs across X, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube (@USAadvocate4all), was founded to give me and others a voice who have been silenced through broken systems and corrupt leaders.
The Storm that hit THS on 09/22/2023 was The Arizona Health Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) stopped payment to THS for all eight (8) medicaid plans for an allegation of fraud to myself as an LPC and my company. Within five weeks my team and I identified a software error that was occurring in our system which we were able to prove and was verified by that software company, which ultimately was what triggered the fraud allegation and suspension. Despite showing this, AHCCCS continued to require myself and my company to remain suspended in lieu of a very long investigative process. During this time I laid off over 240 employees, closed six (6) licensed clinics, lost 80% of my client base which was Medicaid, and continued to remain in business, barely. After two years and 7 days, I was finally cleared of fraud. Yet, the devastation done. From a large business to a small business owner, I have learned what it is like to go through something horrendous and come out the other side stronger. I also realize that thousands of other providers at this very moment in time are going through a similar experience of whom I am fighting for too. I fight for all business owners and health care providers across the state (as with fighting for all Arizonans) to not experience what I experienced through reform and change in our state agencies.
I am not against the Government, rather I am against government not working for the people the way they are supposed to. I strive to help every person in Arizona because we are all governed by the same government who I have learned undermines their purpose in being public servants and safety in the community. Despite never working in government, I am fully capable of stepping into this role and being fully competent in it. I will fix Arizona immediately in ways our state has never seen.
I love people, I see things rationally and fairly, and I believe that all people can unite on big issues through compromise and negotiation, even if both walk away not fully satisfied.
I am a healer and teacher at heart. I am a Christian, attend Church Christ of the Valley (CCV), and daily read my Bible and pray. I do believe that God has called me to this place and time of running for Governor of Arizona 2026.
My life chapter is Psalm 23 and my life verse is 1 Corinthians 2:9. Through my battle the last 2.5 years to save my company for the sake of my patients and staff, my mission chapter is Isaiah 43 and mission verse is Romans 8:31.