by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona House Democrats will settle into a new term of office with fewer members in their caucus and a revised leadership team.
On Tuesday, Democrats in the Arizona House of Representatives elected a team of members to lead their caucus over the next two years. They selected Representative De Los Santos as the House Minority Leader, Representative Nancy Gutierrez as House Minority Assistant Leader, and Representatives Quantá Crews and Stacey Travers as House Minority co-Whips.
“It’s an honor to be chosen to lead this outstanding caucus,” De Los Santos said. “This is a strong, smart and experienced team who will fight for you, for your public schools, for your rights, for our state’s precious resources, for your bottom line and for your neighborhood. We have tremendous challenges ahead as state, and as a country, but we will not back down from extremism, and we will face them together.”
Travers acknowledged her election as one of the Minority Whips, writing, “Thank you to everyone at AZ LD 12 Democrats who worked so hard, and above and beyond to help us get re-elected!”
The four Democrats are some of the most liberal in the Arizona House of Representatives. De Los Santos, Gutierrez, and Crews have a 0% Lifetime score according to the Arizona Free Enterprise Club. Travers has a 2% score.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 13, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved a border security proposal in the November General Election.
Last week, Proposition 314 passed in the state of Arizona with more than 62% of the vote. The measure, which was referred by the Arizona Legislature earlier this year “makes it a crime for persons not lawfully present in the United States to submit false information in applications for public benefits and employment, and to enter Arizona outside ports of entry, or refuse to comply with orders to return; [and] criminalizes selling fentanyl that causes the death of a person.”
Republican state Senator Janae Shamp, who was instrumental in the policy within the proposition, issued a comment after the result, saying, “Our state law enforcement asked me to create this measure because their hands were tied when it came to protecting our communities from the atrocious Biden-Harris border crisis. When Governor Hobbs chose to ignore our laws, our law enforcement, and our state’s citizens by vetoing the Secure the Border Act, I knew sending it to the ballot was necessary. It’s what the people of Arizona wanted, and now, they’ve spoken.”
Shamp added, “The people of Arizona want safe communities again. Communities free of crime, deadly drugs, sex trafficking, murder, and harmful fraud. I’m proud to have sponsored this measure and to have seen it through to pass at the polls, but I was merely doing what I promised to do when I was sworn into office. I will always fight for what’s best for Arizonans! In this case, I believe it’s also what’s best for our country.”
After a state superior court judge ruled against efforts to keep the measure from the ballot in July, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen reacted to the decision in a statement, emphasizing the importance of the proposition being enacted by voters. He said, “It’s unthinkable Democrats and our Governor would stand with Biden and radical left activists, instead of the hardworking Arizona families who are begging for their elected leaders to secure our border and promote safety within our communities. As expected, the court ruled in favor of sanity instead of chaos, and we’re grateful we are able to provide this opportunity to voters to have the final say on.”
In June, former President Donald J. Trump was asked about this ballot measure when he was in Arizona for a campaign stop. He replied, “I endorse anything that is going to make it more difficult for people to come into our country illegally.”
The efforts from Arizona legislators to send this referral to state voters came months after Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1231, the Arizona Border Invasion Act, which would have “ma[de] it unlawful for a person who is an alien (unlawful immigrant) to enter Arizona from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful port of entry and outline[d] penalties for violations of illegally entering Arizona and provide[d] immunity from civil liability and indemnification for state and local government officials, employees and contractors who enforce this prohibition” – according to the purpose from the state Senate.
Senator Janae Shamp, the sponsor of SB 1231, had vowed in the aftermath of the governor’s veto that members of her party would continue to push forward solutions to combat the border crisis. Republicans in both the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate came together to pass HCR 2060 in the spring, sending the border-related policies to the November General Election ballot.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 13, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans pulled out some key victories in extremely competitive districts to expand their control of the state legislature.
Entering the 2024 General Election, Republicans had a very narrow control of the Arizona Legislature. Over the past year, local and national Democrats poured millions of dollars into specific districts, hoping to flip one or both chambers.
Instead of a party shift, however, Republicans did more than maintain their control of each legislative body; they may have slightly expanded their numbers, as the makeup looks today with most of ballots counted across the state.
In District 2, Republican Senator Shawnna Bolick staved off a ferocious challenge from Democrat Judy Schwiebert, winning by almost four percent.
Bolick said, “I cannot thank our family, friends, and supporters enough for helping to push us over the finish line. I am fortunate to have had helping hands to complete our post card writing campaigns in both the primary and the general elections. We also had to deliver campaign literature to voters in all the precincts targeting registered voters across all political parties. We had volunteers from all over the state making phone calls and sending positive text messages to our district’s voters. Thank you to everyone who reached out to help us, maximizing our efforts to reaching our goal of winning this seat.”
In District 4, Republican newcomer Carine Werner unseated incumbent Democrat Senator Christine Marsh, emerging victorious by more than 3.5%.
Werner issued a statement after her race was called, writing, “We were successful because we worked hard and listened to voters in District 4. I say ‘we’ because it isn’t about me, it’s about finding solutions for small businesses, families, our schools, and first responders. I will legislate the same way I campaigned and have served on school board – with integrity, transparency, and accountability. I want our district to feel like their hard work and entrepreneurship means something. I want people to get more for their hard-earned dollar, because we can help reduce prices and keep taxes low. And I want parents to feel empowered to make the best choices for their kids. This election is about all of us and the future of our state – I’m honored to be part of it and to know that voters have trust and faith in me. Now it’s time to deliver.”
Incumbent Republican state Representative Matt Gress easily won the top spot in this district to return to his chamber for a second term in office. His running mate, Pamela Carter, held off Democrat Kelli Butler by less than one percent to capture the second House seat.
Gress stated, “The latest batch of votes are in, and we are WAY up in #LD4! I am so grateful you have re-hired me as your state representative with wide support across our community. I’ll continue working for YOU! On this campaign, we talked about common sense — we didn’t sling mud. I can’t wait to get back to work, delivering more results for our community and state. In short: THANK YOU, #LD4!!!”
Carter added, “WE DID IT! We have been victorious in winning the final seat in the Arizona House of Representatives in LD 4! Great news for Arizona! Thank you to my Lord Jesus Christ, my team, and all of my supporters and volunteers for making this possible. Congratulations to President Trump, our 47th President of the USA! Together, we will make Arizona and America strong, healthy and vibrant again!!”
In District 13, Republican Senator J.D. Mesnard won reelection with a margin of over six percent.
Republicans Jeff Weninger and Julie Willoughby won both House seats for the district. For Willoughby, this upcoming term will be her first full one in office. For Weninger, this victory marks a return to the state legislature after a brief hiatus from public service.
Weninger said, “We had to counter an enormous amount of campaign spending coming from out-of-state special interest groups. In the end, they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting my opponent. But we responded even stronger and again sent a message that the people of this district value real relationships and real results. Desperate money from DC liberals won’t fool them. In fact, it appears this will be my biggest win yet for the State Senate!”
In District 17, Republican candidate and former legislator Vince Leach has a razor-thin lead of approximately 1,500 votes over Democrat John McLean.
In District 23, Republican incumbent state Representative Michele Peña finished atop the field of candidates for House, ensuring another term in the Arizona Legislature.
As of Monday night, Republicans appear to have secured 17 of 30 Senate seats and 33 of 60 House seats. There are still thousands of votes outstanding throughout the state.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 11, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona’s Republican Party Chair accomplished her stated desire to help elect President Donald J. Trump to the White House.
Gina Swoboda didn’t have a lot of time for on-the-job training when she unexpectedly took the helm of the Republican Party of Arizona at the beginning of this year. However, despite the issues of a short runway to unite the party, raise money, and get out the vote for Republican candidates and values, Swoboda and her team managed to meet the daunting challenge before them.
When Swoboda was elected by a vast majority of Arizona Republican activists in January, she praised President Trump for his support and vowed her dedication to his election efforts. She said, “Arizona is the key to the presidency. I was proud to have the support of President Trump in this victory to lead the AZGOP into the most important election of our lifetime. Now it’s time to turn out every last vote for the 47th President DONALD J TRUMP!”
That mission was met in Arizona with President-Elect Trump capturing the state’s eleven electoral votes. While ballots are still being counted across most counties in Arizona, Trump will likely win by a larger number than he did when he won the state in 2016.
Barring a reversal in any of the races, all three of the Arizona Corporation Commissioner spots will be filled by Republicans, giving the party unanimous control of the important state panel.
Both the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives appear to be in Republican control after Tuesday’s elections, returning the state to a divided government for the next two years, and preventing Democrats from unrestrained power to dismantle Arizona’s broad school choice and Second Amendment freedoms – as well as other things that may be on their to-do list.
Additionally, Republicans are tracking toward significant victories in most of the posts for Maricopa County Offices, including County Attorney, Sheriff, School Superintendent, Recorder, and majority control of the Board of Supervisors.
On Election Night, Swoboda issued a statement of victory after seeing a number of positive results around her state, writing, “This victory is a testament to the grit and determination of Arizonans who believe in the American Dream. We focused on what matters – keeping families safe, bringing down the cost of living, securing our border, and reviving American greatness. We have sent a clear message to Washington: Arizona is red, and when we unite, WE WIN!”
One night later, after her state was called for Trump, Swoboda posted, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to help elect 45/47. Thank you for believing in me Donald Trump. Thank you AZGOP for allowing me to make history with our beautiful State 48.”
If Swoboda returns as the party’s chair next year, she again faces a tall challenge with most of Arizona’s statewide offices up for grabs. Republicans will be seeking to take back the Governor’s, Attorney General’s, and Secretary of State’s Offices, maintain control of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s and Treasurer’s Offices, and keep the state legislature.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 11, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
With his chamber remaining in Republican hands, Arizona’s Senate President is gearing up for a return to his position for the upcoming legislative session.
Senator Warren Petersen is running for reelection for president of his legislative body after deftly guiding his caucus through the past two sessions in a rarely seen divided Arizona government.
In an exclusive interview with AZ Free News, Petersen said, “I’m running for Senate President again because I want to build off the momentum from our successes over the past two years with serving as the necessary check against abuses of power and radical policies pushed by the Executive that Arizonans do not support. I also want to maintain unity within the Republican caucus while advancing commonsense solutions to the important issues impacting our state, like inflation, the border crisis, the housing shortage, water security, and providing our kids with educational excellence in their schools.”
Petersen’s service has largely endeared himself to fellow Republican colleagues, who are poised to vote in support of his reelection bid. Senator Wendy Rogers, one of the Legislature’s top allies of President-elect Donald J. Trump, told AZ Free News that she is fully on board with Petersen’s efforts to reclaim his post. She said, “Senate President Warren Petersen has my fullest support. He is deeply principled, loyal, and a true conservative. He stood by me when the chips were down, and that meant more to me as a career military officer than what people realize. You know who your friends are when they stick up for you in the crucible of the fight.”
Rogers added, “As a Republican caucus, we have come through a lot… together. Bonded. We are more conservative and cohesive and have had each other’s back under President Petersen’s leadership. The legislature is the closest to the people, yet the most difficult to corral. He has done yeoman work as our president and will continue to do so in this next cycle. It’s my honor to be in his corner with him.”
Another Republican, Senator T.J. Shope, weighed in on his support for Petersen, saying, “It’s an easy choice to support a guy who treats everyone fairly and runs the chamber efficiently.”
The Republican Senate leader has quickly put his stamp of influence on the state over the past two years in Arizona’s divided government, forcing Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs to relent on her key priorities in two straight budgets, stopping left-wing agenda items from becoming reality, and protecting key state and national laws in the absence of Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes. Under Petersen’s direction, the Arizona Legislature has joined over fifty legal matters across the nation, including lawsuits, amicus briefs, comments, and letters. He is also defending at least five state laws that Mayes declined to intervene in.
Petersen’s prolific defense of state and federal laws has launched him into a conversation for state Attorney General as politicos start to look at the fast-approaching 2026 cycle. Many of the several briefs and lawsuits Petersen has signed onto are spearheaded by Republican attorneys general, giving him first-hand experience in the world of a state’s top prosecutor for select issues. If he would run for the office, it is unknown who – if anyone – might contend with him for the primary election nomination.
The election for Senate leadership positions is expected to occur this upcoming Tuesday.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
