By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) warned that “vetting isn’t optional” as lawmakers consider a measure urging federal authorities to review whether the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) should be designated as a terrorist organization. Petersen cited the role of former Democratic state Rep. Martin Quezada as a government affairs representative for CAIR Arizona.
In a statement released by the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus, Petersen referenced Quezada’s current role representing the organization at the state Capitol while lawmakers debate legislation related to CAIR and similar groups. Petersen warned in the statement that vetting matters, adding that lawmakers should carefully examine organizations and the individuals representing them when considering legislation involving national security concerns.
“This is exactly why the Senate’s vetting process exists,” Petersen said.
“When someone is nominated to run a state agency, the Senate’s job is to ask the tough questions, dig into their history, and make sure they are fit to serve the people of Arizona. In this case, the nominee was rejected – and now he’s working for an organization that promotes radically dangerous ideologies and is being considered for terrorist designation at the federal level. Imagine if we hadn’t done our job. That person could have been running a state agency. Vetting isn’t optional. It’s about protecting our citizens and making sure the wrong people are never put in those powerful positions. The Senate will continue to hold the line.”
CAIR is a U.S.-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization founded in 1994. The organization has previously faced scrutiny related to allegations raised during the federal prosecution of the Holy Land Foundation, a charity that was later convicted in 2008 of providing financial support to Hamas. During that case, federal prosecutors listed CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator. CAIR has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime in connection with the case.
As of this report, the federal government has not designated CAIR as a terrorist organization. The organization has been so designated by the states of Texas and Florida.
The remarks from Petersen came as the Arizona Senate considers House Concurrent Memorial 2002, a measure introduced by Arizona Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30) that urges the federal government to review whether CAIR meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.
“HCMs are a democratic mechanism for legislative bodies to formally ‘speak’ to federal lawmakers, demonstrating that an issue isn’t isolated complaints but a widespread, organized citizen priority deserving attention and action. We have received 1000s of emails and calls for designation of CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood as terrorists organizations. This is the will of the people,” Gillette said in a statement.
HCM 2002 passed the Arizona House of Representatives in a partisan 31-22 vote on February 26, with Gillette noting in a post to X, “HCM 2001 and 2002 supporting terrorist designation for CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood, All The AZ House Dems voted NO! They continue to support radical Islam.”
In related comments posted to X, Gillette criticized Rep. Lydia Hernandez (D-LD24) and Arizona Senator Analise Ortiz (D-LD24) writing, “She (Hernandez) read verbatim that CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood were linked and funded Hamas…… yet voted No, to declare them a Terrorists organization,” on Jan. 24 and “Don’t forget AZ. Senator Analise Ortiz, she held a CAIR meeting in her office this morning,” on Jan. 28, while the measure was in committee.
In September 2025, he noted support for CAIR amongst Democrat leaders, including Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, writing, “CAIR is a known front group for the Muslim Brotherhood. Yet Hobbs and House Democrat leaders stand firm in support.”
Concurrent Measures, such as HCM 2002, do not themselves create a designation. Instead, they formally urge Congress or federal agencies to conduct a review under federal law governing terrorist designations.
Federal law places the authority to designate foreign terrorist organizations with the U.S. Secretary of State. The designation process typically requires evidence that an organization is foreign in origin and engaged in terrorist activity or poses a threat to the national security of the United States.
The debate surrounding the Arizona proposal has drawn responses from both supporters and critics of the measure. Supporters argue that Congress and federal agencies should examine whether organizations operating in the United States have connections to extremist groups.
Opponents, including Quezada, have publicly opposed HCM 2002, with the former Democratic legislator calling the measure “nonsense,” according to The State Press, saying the legislation is intended to discourage CAIR supporters from speaking out. “The community in general is feeling targeted, because if they’re willing to go after one organization first, like CAIR, who are they going to go after next?” he added.
Quezada told the outlet in February that the measure succeeded in “trying to make an example out of CAIR.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
