Teri Ann PhD for Governor – Bio
Born and raised in Glendale, Arizona, Teri Ann Hourihan embodies the strength, resilience, and faith that define the American Dream.
On May 21, 2008, Teri made the decision that changed her life forever. After years of struggle with drugs and alcohol, she entered recovery, gave her life to Christ, and committed herself to helping others reclaim their purpose. What followed is a story of redemption through hard work, perseverance, and unshakable belief in God and country.
Teri earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University (2010), a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University (2014), and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University (2018). In 2017 she became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arizona after serving in hospitals, residential programs, and community-based agencies that reached the most vulnerable.
In 2018, Teri founded Teri’s Health Services (THS)—a small practice that grew into a statewide, integrated-care provider with over 250 employees serving more than 10,000 patients, 80 percent of whom were Medicaid recipients. Her model combined psychiatry, counseling, and medical and psychological services under one roof—proof that compassion, efficiency, and accountability can coexist in healthcare. Teri served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of her company since day one to now but knows all parts of her company. Teri works currently in the company as CEO, licensed counselor seeing clients, helping in scheduling and phones, and maintaining full practice oversight.
But in 2023, THS faced a catastrophic event that forced a complete restructuring. Overnight, Teri’s staff dropped from 250 to fewer than 20. Rather than walk away, she is rebuilding—leaner, stronger, and wiser. Out of that crucible came USA Advocate4All, a new platform for advocacy, accountability, and reform.
Now, Teri Ann Hourihan is stepping forward as a candidate for Governor of Arizona—a conservative voice for faith, family, and freedom.
“I’ve lived the bottom and the top. I’ve seen what happens when government fails families, and I’ve witnessed what can happen when people refuse to give up. I’m not a career politician or a product of the system , I’m a product of grace, grit, and the American Dream.”
Teri has voted in the past for candidates she believed were best for Arizona—Republican and Democrat alike—but she’s learned that true leadership isn’t built on party lines or political spin. It’s built on character, accountability, and real-world experience.
Her mission is simple:
Protect Arizona’s families from government and agency overreach.
Defend the Constitution and the rule of law.
Preserve Arizona sovereignty against federal intrusion.
Restore faith in government by putting people before politics.
“We need leaders who’ve lived real life, not just written papers about it. Arizona deserves a governor who understands both hardship and hard work—someone who fights for every family, every small business, and every right our Constitution guarantees.”
Teri Ann Hourihan is running to serve from the people, for the people—an authentic conservative voice dedicated to keeping Arizona free, sovereign, and strong.
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 and earned my GED and 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. 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 met them. 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 defect 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 investigation 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 since this date THS has not made a single revenue dollar (writing this memo the date is 11/03/2025). Despite this, I have remained open believing with all my heart that we will be totally set free and cleared and company and my remaining staff and patients safe at THS. On 07/23/2025 again without warning and despite working directly with AHCCCS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Vanessa Templeman since 10/09/2024 to return to active status and good results showing from our meetings, AHCCCS terminated and excluded THS and myself and several staff. Then on 09/29/2025 my company and myself were completely cleared 100% of the AHCCCS fraud, waste, abuse allegations but remained on the exclusion and termination lists. I have since filed lawsuits against AHCCCS for this action, which is currently underway. The way I have been treated is not just my story. Thousands of providers in the state of Arizona and even more patients are being harmed by AHCCCS personnel today in their lack of competence and efficiency in the systems they work (my opinion). My opinion is shared by the state legislative meetings held on AHCCCS by Senator Carine Werner who states plainly this is happening. Completely upsetting, is AHCCCS personnel and leaders lack of response to the issues and their overall carefree way of looking at things as though nothing wrong is happening. This is why I originally started speaking out. And this is part of the reason that led me to sign up for Governor (2026) as I am furious about what is happening in Arizona to our state and to us as people in communities.
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 two 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.