By Daniel Stefanski |
Fresh off their successful efforts to keep a majority in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Republicans voted to keep their chamber’s leader for another term in office.
On Tuesday, Senate President Warren Petersen won reelection from his colleagues in the chamber. Petersen faced a brief challenge from another member, but earlier that day, it was reported that the incumbent president would have a clear field to the nomination.
In a statement after his victory, Petersen said, “My esteemed colleagues of the AZ Senate have re-elected me by acclimation as Senate President. I am grateful for their confidence. The media got something right. This is the most conservative legislature in history. We will continue to deliver a conservative agenda that will protect liberty and promote prosperity.”
Petersen added, “With our expanded majority we will make sure our communities are safe and that our kids have the best educational opportunities possible. We will continue to lower taxes and eliminate government waste. We will work with the Trump administration to make sure our border is safe. We will secure our water supplies and our elections.”
Senator Janae Shamp was elected as the Majority Leader, and Senator Frank Carroll as the Majority Whip.
Shamp wrote, “I am truly honored and humbled by the trust The Republican Majority Caucus has placed in me to lead the Arizona State Senate. Together, we will work toward policies that strengthen Arizona, promote opportunity for all, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of freedom, prosperity, and personal responsibility. We will move forward with a united vision, grounded in our shared values, and with a commitment to serving the people of Arizona with integrity and purpose.”
Both Petersen and Shamp are two of the most conservative members of the Arizona Senate. According to the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Shamp has a 93% lifetime score, and Petersen has a 94% score. Senator Carroll also checked in with a 96% score in the 2024 legislative session.
The leadership elections for Republicans in the Arizona Senate this month marked a drastic change from two years ago, when Petersen faced large uncertainty due to races that had not been called yet and a very competitive challenge for the role of the chamber’s President. Since winning that election and becoming Senate President, though, Petersen has staked a claim to his leadership responsibilities, He has united his caucus in deft opposition to Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ radical agenda, managed to advance some conservative priorities in the face of a bitterly divided Arizona government, and joined state and national efforts to defend several laws in the absence of Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Petersen also spent much of his time in the lead-up to the November General Election campaigning for vulnerable and new members of his conference, earning even more goodwill among Republicans. Despite vicious attempts from local and national Democrats to overturn control of the state legislature, Petersen’s efforts to keep the majority paid off in a big way as Republicans expanded their majority after votes across the state were eventually tabulated.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
