By Matthew Holloway |
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers endorsed Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen for attorney general Tuesday. The endorsement adds another Republican state attorney general to the growing coalition supporting Petersen’s challenge to Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Petersen secured the Republican nomination after defeating attorney Rodney Glassman in Arizona’s primary. He will face Mayes in the Nov. 3 general election.
“Arizona needs an Attorney General who is committed to the rule of law and standing with law enforcement,” Hilgers said in a statement released by Petersen’s campaign. “Unfortunately, Arizona’s liberal Attorney General has sold out to radical special interests.”
Hilgers cited Petersen’s record as Senate president, including his work on legislation affecting families, women’s sports, public safety, and the cost of living.
“I’m supporting Warren Petersen because he is a proven, experienced leader who has fought to protect families and women’s sports as Arizona’s Senate President, lower the cost of living, and keep our neighborhoods safe,” Hilgers said. “He’s the right person with the best temperament for the job. Please join me in supporting Warren Petersen for Arizona Attorney General.”
Hilgers became Nebraska’s 33rd attorney general in 2022 after spending six years in the Nebraska Legislature, including two years as speaker. He previously practiced law for more than 15 years and founded a litigation firm.
Petersen thanked Hilgers for the endorsement and said he expected to work alongside him if elected.
“I’m grateful for the trust and support of Attorney General Hilgers,” Petersen said. “He knows that Arizona cannot afford another four years of the radical leadership and politics imported to the Attorney General’s Office by Kris Mayes.”
Petersen accused Mayes of using the office to target law enforcement and political opponents.
“Under her direction, Arizona has succumbed to the California and New York-style tactics of attacking law enforcement and persecuting political opponents,” Petersen said. “Arizonans deserve better; the hard-working men and women of this state want an Attorney General who fights for their interests, not special interests. I look forward to joining General Hilgers come January.”
Petersen has served in the Arizona Legislature since 2012 and represents Legislative District 14, which covers Gilbert and portions of Queen Creek. His legislative roles have included House majority leader, chairman of the Senate Commerce and Judiciary committees and president of the Senate.
Hilgers joins Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey, and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita among the Republican attorneys general supporting Petersen.
Petersen has also received endorsements from the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Arizona Police Association, Arizona State Troopers Association, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Arizona, and Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association.
The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police represents more than 9,000 law enforcement professionals across the state, while the Arizona Police Association describes itself as a statewide coalition representing law enforcement, corrections, detention, and probation officers.
Other law enforcement endorsements announced by the campaign include Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple, Gila County Attorney Brad Beauchamp, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and retired Border Patrol agent Art Del Cueto.
The campaign said Petersen is the first challenger to a sitting Arizona attorney general to receive endorsements from the state’s five largest police organizations. That claim could not be independently confirmed through publicly available historical endorsement records.
Petersen has made law enforcement support and criticism of Mayes central themes of his campaign. His campaign website lists enforcing existing laws, supporting law enforcement, and restoring trust in the Attorney General’s Office among his stated priorities.
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.
