"Lobbyist" is often a dirty word, but not when it comes to Samuel Richard. The former Protecting Arizona's Family Coalition executive director, who left the organization in July to start his own progressive lobbying firm, routinely puts in long nights at the State Capitol (sometimes bringing along a flask when floor sessions drag on past 11 p.m.). His goal? Ensuring that wealthy Arizonans aren't the only ones with a voice in the democratic process. Whether advocating to overturn the state's overly stringent restrictions on temporary cash assistance for low-income families or campaigning against predatory payday loans, he's dedicated to fighting the good fight in a Legislature that often would rather focus on petty shenanigans like banning a ban on plastic bags.