By Matthew Holloway |
Outgoing Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) will return to the chamber next session as chief of staff for the Republican minority caucus, incoming Minority Leader John Kavanagh confirmed Tuesday.
Kavanagh (R-LD3) told the Yellow Sheet Report that Petersen’s selection follows the planned departures of current Chief of Staff Josh Kredit and Deputy Chief of Staff Fletcher Montzingo. Kavanagh said both would have to accept pay cuts to remain as minority staff.
“We were in a crisis,” Kavanagh told the outlet. “We were in a situation where we didn’t have anybody who had the skillset, the knowledge [and] the personal connections to do the job.”
Petersen confirmed the appointment in a Tuesday text message to Yellow Sheet, saying he appreciated Kavanagh’s confidence and was excited to serve the minority caucus.
The appointment follows Petersen’s unsuccessful campaign for attorney general against Democratic incumbent Kris Mayes.
Petersen did not seek reelection to his legislative seat; his current term ends in January 2027.
Kavanagh told Yellow Sheet that the caucus needed a chief of staff familiar with the legislative process who had relationships with lawmakers in both parties. Former Senate staffer Grant Hanna had already left prior to the 2026 session to become House majority chief of staff.
“We realized that there was somebody hiding right in front of us [for chief of staff] and that was [Warren Petersen],” Kavanagh said. “He’s probably the most powerful person we could have selected.”
Petersen’s salary or an exact start date has not been confirmed.
In a post on X following the election, Petersen wrote, “No time for infighting, 2028 started yesterday.”
The staffing changes come as Republicans prepare to enter the minority in both legislative chambers. Democrats secured 20 seats in the 30-member Senate and 37 seats in the 60-member House.
Senate Republicans elected Kavanagh as minority leader Monday. They also selected Sen. Tim Dunn (R-LD25) as assistant minority leader and incoming Sen. Leo Biasiucci (R-LD30) as minority whip. Kavanagh appointed Sen. Mark Finchem (R-LD1) as deputy assistant minority leader of communications.
The caucus identified taxes, law enforcement, and Arizona’s long-term water supply as priorities for the upcoming session. Its announcement said Republicans would introduce their own legislation and pursue bipartisan agreements where they believe cooperation would benefit Arizonans.
Petersen was first elected to the Arizona House in 2012 and subsequently served in both chambers. He became Senate president in 2023 and was reelected to that leadership position in 2025. His Senate biography lists previous legislative roles as House majority leader and chairman of the Senate Commerce, Judiciary, and Rules committees.
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.
