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Bennett Faces Tough Primary In Bid To Return To Legislature After Opposing Several Republican Efforts

July 15, 2024

By Staff Reporter |

A controversial Republican seeks to return to the Arizona State Legislature for the next two years.

State Senator Ken Bennett is running for reelection to his northern Arizona legislative seat, which is centered in the Republican stronghold of Yavapai County. Bennett returned to public service in January 2023, after taking a break from elected office after his tenure as Arizona Secretary of State from 2009-2014. Before his stint as the state’s top election’s official, Bennett served in the Arizona State Senate for eight years – four as the chamber’s president.

Bennett has a long history in the Prescott region. He is a fifth-generation Arizonan who started his life in Prescott and ran Bennett Oil as its CEO for more than 20 years. Prior to his service in the Arizona Legislature, Bennett was elected to the Prescott City Council.

During his time in the legislature this go-around, Bennett has angered some of his colleagues and constituents over his decisions to oppose certain Republican efforts. Bennett’s votes in the state senate earned him a draft censure from disgruntled precinct committeemen from Yavapai County. They alleged that Bennett was the only Republican in the Arizona State Senate to vote against SCR 1013, “which would have allowed the voters of Arizona to decide if boys are allowed in girl’s bathrooms and would have required teachers to obtain permission from a child’s parents before using that child’s preferred pronouns;” and the ‘Freedom to Move’ bill, “which would have let the voters of Arizona decide to create a Constitutional ban on taxes or fees for vehicle miles traveled and limitations on miles traveled.”

The draft censure noted that with those votes, “it is clear Ken Bennett is not representing the people of Yavapai County or the Yavapai County Republican Committee.”

Both measures would have been sent to Arizona voters for the November General Election if enough legislators had voted in favor.

On his website, Bennett responded to the charges levied against him by these local precinct committeemen. Addressing the claims about SCR1013, Bennett said, “This was unconstitutional because it combined two different issues into one ballot proposition. I voted in favor of the two separate bills in the Senate, but I wouldn’t violate the AZ Constitution that requires ballot measures be a single subject.” And combatting the attack against his ‘Freedom to Move’ vote, Bennett stated, “I supported two of the three parts of this proposal (Government shouldn’t monitor or limit the miles we drive) but it needed an amendment to allow government agencies to monitor their own fleets. The bill sponsor would not make this simple change. The other part of the proposal would let electric or other energy-sourced vehicles use our roads without helping to pay for road maintenance. Unfair.”

Senator Bennett also created controversy within his caucus when he helped to pause progress in passing a border security measure to be sent to state voters in November (HCR 2060). Bennett demanded changes to the bill to win his vote, that he appeared to obtain in a later amendment. He then joined his Republican colleagues in supporting the updated legislation, making it possible for Arizonans to help the state’s law enforcement better secure the border and communities in the federal government’s growing dereliction of duty – should they choose to approve of the ballot initiative this fall.

Bennett lists several awards and recognitions for his time of service on his website, including “Senator of the Year” from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Arizona Technology Council, and Arizona County School Superintendents; “Champion Award” from the Arizona League of Cities & Towns and Arizona Association of Economic Development; an “A” Rating from the National Rifle Association, and the Arizona Republican Assembly; and a 100% Pro-Life Record.

Danny Seiden, the President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, congratulated Bennett on winning his organization’s yearly award, writing, “For years, you have served Arizonans and been an outstanding voice for Arizona job creators. During time of divisiveness, you have continued to be a voice of reason and a champion of the business community. Your thoughtful approach at the state Senate this year has been recognized by many and your efforts to enact common sense policies is greatly appreciated. To strive for compromise on complex policies is a difficult task and we commend you for your ongoing leadership.”

The Republican State Senator currently serves as the Chairman of the Education Committee, the Vice Chair of the Elections Committee, and a member on the Appropriations Committee.

Arizona Legislative District 1 is a very safe Republican seat with a 27.8% vote spread between Republicans and Democrats in the last nine statewide elections, according to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. In those last nine elections, Republicans have won all contests within the district’s boundaries.

Bennett is opposed in the Republican primary by former legislator Mark Finchem and Steve Zipperman. The winner of this race will face off against Democrat Mike Fogel, who is running unopposed in the primary for his party’s nomination.

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