Arizona Democrats who won on Election Day may have signaled a willingness for bipartisanship in their victory statements, but their key backers are indicating the contrary may be the case.
Among them was GIFFORDS, a leading gun control group founded by Gabrielle Giffords, a former Arizona congresswoman and wife to Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). The nonprofit published a press release on Thursday declaring the Arizona election results to have ushered in a “gun safety trifecta” in the state.
GIFFORDS PAC, the nonprofit’s political action committee affiliate, expressed confidence that Arizona Democrats’ historic flip of both chambers of the legislature, combined with the reelection of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, would result in the passage of their preferred gun control reforms. The organization endorsed Hobbs and key legislative candidates, among other Democratic candidates in the state.
“Arizona has seen too much senseless gun violence, and years of Republican control of the state legislature has stalled lifesaving reform. But voters have spoken, and it’s clear they want leaders who will enact commonsense gun safety laws,” said Giffords. “I have full faith that Governor Hobbs will build on the progress she’s already made for Arizona families and she will work to create a safer future for the Grand Canyon State.”
Democrats haven’t had control over both chambers in 60 years, which was also the last time they held a trifecta: control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers.
Democrats also enjoy a triplex: control of the offices of the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.
GIFFORDS has assigned Arizona an “F” ranking on its Annual Gun Law Scorecard. The organization would impose an “A” ranking if Arizona were to impose certain mandates and bans on gun ownership.
Owner licensing, limiting gun purchases to individuals who pass a background check and periodic licensing renewals to include safety training courses and tests
Extreme risk protection orders, also called “red flag laws,” suspending gun ownership for those deemed a danger to themselves or others by the court
Waiting periods for the purchase of guns; current states with waiting periods require purchasers to wait anywhere from three to 30 days.
Concealed carry permits, issued by law enforcement and restricted to those over the age of 21 and proven “suitable” to carry
Open carry, but if a ban isn’t possible then limiting open carry to those who pass a background check and safety training standards, and require open carry firearms to be unloaded and permitted only in certain locations
Assault weapons, such as the AR-15 and other semi-automatic firearms
Ownership for individuals subject to a domestic violence protective order or convicted of a violent misdemeanor against a former or current dating partner, cohabitant, or family member
GIFFORDS claimed victory in all 17 key state legislative races where they had endorsed candidates: 11 in the Arizona House, and six in the Arizona Senate.
In the Arizona House:
LD 2, Stephanie Simacek (incumbent)
LD 5, Aaron Marquez (incumbent)
LD 9, Lorena Austin (incumbent) and Jacob Martinez
LD 11, Oscar De Los Santos (incumbent)
LD 13, Racquel Armstrong and Jacob Weinberg (both seats flipped)
LD 16, Julia Gusse (seat flipped)
LD 17, Hollace Lyon (seat flipped)
LD 18, Nancy Gutierrez (incumbent)
LD 23, Mariana Sandoval (incumbent)
In the Arizona Senate:
LD 2, Amelia Gallitano (seat flipped)
LD 9, Kiana Sears (incumbent)
LD 13, Kristie O’Brien (seat flipped)
LD 17, Edgar Soto (seat flipped)
LD 18, Priya Sundareshan (incumbent)
LD 23, Brian Fernandez (incumbent)
GIFFORDS also endorsed incumbent Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03) and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), and challengers JoAnna Mendoza, who flipped the Congressional District 6 seat, and Amish Shah, who flipped the Congressional District 1 seat.
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Arizona voters reelected Gov. Katie Hobbs for a second term, and with her the first lieutenant governor, John Giles.
Both electeds delivered victory speeches committing themselves to nonpartisanship while hinting at the partisan policy changes cresting on the January horizon.
Giles, a registered independent and the former mayor of Mesa, opened up his victory speech with a remark maintaining that he was not a member of the Democratic Party, regardless of his pledge to work as “one team” with Hobbs and his alignment with the rest of the Democratic Party.
“I’m the only non-Democrat who had a good night last night,” said Giles. “Arizona voters created this office so the governor and lieutenant governor would work as one team, with one mission. That’s exactly what Governor Hobbs and I will be: a team that wakes up every morning asking what Arizona needs, and then gets it done.”
Giles said that political party doesn’t define the merits of laws and policy.
“As mayor, I learned there’s no Republican way or Democratic way to fill a pothole. The same is true at the State Capitol,” said Giles. “There’s no partisan approach that protects our water, builds homes families can afford, keeps rural hospitals open, or gets our kids ready for the good jobs coming to this state.
Giles praised Hobbs as a bipartisan leader.
“For four years, I’ve watched Katie Hobbs stand up to Washington and leaders in her own party. I’ve watched her bring Republicans and Democrats to the same table and get things done,” said Giles. “Every time the choice was between what’s best for a political party and what’s best for Arizona, she chose Arizona.”
After issuing congratulations to fellow Democrats who won their races, Hobbs opened up her victory speech by commenting on Arizona Democrats flipping the state legislature. Arizona Democrats haven’t held a majority in both chambers since 1966.
Hobbs took credit for the legislature flipping, citing her creation of the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee as a state lawmaker in 2014.
“When I got to the legislature in 2011, there were so few Democrats in the Senate, we joked that the caucus could share one pizza,” said Hobbs. “We’ve now gone from a one-pizza caucus to a majority in both chambers.”
Hobbs said her election represented the victory of “sanity over chaos.”
“You chose leaders who answer to Arizona, not Washington. You told us what keeps you up at night: the grocery bill, the rent or the mortgage, the price at the pump, the cost of a prescription. Washington keeps driving those costs up. And you chose a governor who will keep working to bring them down,” said Hobbs. “You chose a governor who will stand up for Arizonans, even when powerful people in Washington come calling. And I know firsthand that standing up isn’t always easy.”
Hobbs pledged to be a nonpartisan governor on certain key issues.
“And everywhere I go, I’m reminded that what unites us is so much stronger than what divides us. We all want the same things: lower costs, safe communities, a secure border, good schools, and water for generations to come,” said Hobbs. “When we set partisan politics aside, focus on the problem in front of us, and get the job done, there is nothing — nothing — we can’t accomplish.”
On the topics of border security and abortion, Hobbs diverged from Republican sentiments. Hobbs indicated that she would take further action to thwart deportation efforts by President Donald Trump.
“We showed Washington we can secure the border and take on the cartels without deporting American citizens and indiscriminately rounding up people who pay taxes, work hard, and have been in their community for years,” said Hobbs.
Hobbs also reminded voters that she led on the repeal of the state’s total abortion ban.
“I promised you I would do everything in my power to repeal the 1864 total abortion ban that put so many women’s lives at risk. I did what 23 governors and 55 legislatures before me couldn’t or wouldn’t do: I repealed it,” said Hobbs. “Now, my daughter and women and girls like her across Arizona won’t be forced to live in a state where they have fewer rights than I did at their age.”
Hobbs pledged to fight against the federal government for Arizona’s water rights to the Colorado River, crack down on drug cartel activity along the border, roll back the school choice program, increase housing affordability by rolling back bureaucratic requirements, and expand apprenticeship opportunities.
Read Hobbs and Giles’ victory speeches in their entirety here.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given final approval to a Maricopa County air quality rule allowing fleet owners to generate emissions credits by replacing or upgrading higher-emitting vehicles, county officials announced Thursday.
Under Rule 205, qualifying reductions from on-road vehicles can generate credits used to offset emissions from new or expanding industrial facilities. The county said the approval allows its Air Quality Department to begin issuing the credits immediately.
“Rule 205 is a win-win for our residents, demonstrating that Maricopa County can prioritize both cleaner air and a strong economy,” Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee said. “By incentivizing rather than punishing job creators, this approach will deliver measurable improvements in air quality while creating new opportunities for businesses to invest and expand.”
The program connects voluntary fleet improvements with federal permitting requirements for industrial development. Under the Clean Air Act’s nonattainment New Source Review program, new major stationary sources and major modifications to existing major stationary sources must provide offsets for increased emissions.
Fleet owners can submit replacement or retrofit projects to the Air Quality Department for evaluation. Qualifying reductions must be real, quantifiable, surplus, permanent, and federally enforceable before the county certifies them.
Certified credits may then be traded for use as offsets. A facility relying on those credits cannot begin operating until the corresponding vehicle replacements or retrofits have occurred. The required offsets must exceed the facility’s emissions increase under the applicable offset ratio.
The guidance identifies eligibility conditions, including that fleet vehicles be based and operated within the Phoenix-Mesa ozone nonattainment area. Certain projects completed on or after January 1, 2017, may qualify, subject to the rule’s requirements.
The county’s rule history lists an initial adoption date of April 26, 2023, and a revision on May 21, 2025. The county submitted the revised version to the EPA on May 30, 2025.
Vice Chair Debbie Lesko praised EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s work with the county.
“I applaud EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for working with Maricopa County to find Clean Air solutions that fit the unique needs of our region,” Lesko said. “It’s proof we can partner with the federal government to streamline regulations while still protecting the quality of the air we breathe.”
Maricopa County is also pursuing emissions credits for upgrades to railroad locomotives and construction equipment through Rule 204. The EPA proposed approving that rule on October 6, extending the county’s approach to voluntary emissions reductions from nonroad engines.
The EPA said the proposed Rule 204 approval would allow qualifying reductions in nitrogen oxides or volatile organic compounds to generate credits for facilities seeking to build or expand within the county’s ozone nonattainment area.
💨 Cleaner air + economic growth
Maricopa County helped lead efforts with business leaders and the @EPA to develop solutions that improve air quality while supporting economic growth.
Proposed EPA approval of Rules 204 and 205 would allow businesses to earn air quality credits… pic.twitter.com/S3kW4gHa7u
In its October announcement, the EPA identified portions of Maricopa County as being in moderate nonattainment for the 2015 federal ozone standard. That designation subjects covered industrial projects to additional permitting and emissions-offset requirements.
Rule 205 has received final approval. The county described Rule 204 as remaining at the proposed-approval stage.
Scottsdale Councilman Barry Graham and former state lawmaker Michelle Ugenti-Rita are poised to win the city’s two remaining council seats after rival Raoul Zubia conceded Thursday evening. The two candidates campaigned together on a conservative platform in the officially nonpartisan election.
According to Scottsdale’s unofficial results, as of November 5 at 8:30 p.m., Ugenti-Rita led with 51,141 votes, or 33.91% of votes recorded in the contest. Graham followed with 50,992 votes, or 33.81%, while Zubia received 48,678 votes, or 32.28%.
Those totals put Ugenti-Rita ahead of Zubia by 2,463 votes and Graham ahead by 2,314 votes. The two candidates receiving the most votes win the seats. Results remain unofficial pending the City Council’s canvass.
Brian Anderson congratulated the two candidates in a post on X, writing, “Congratulations to @MichelleUgenti and @BarrySGraham! Amazing news for families and businesses in Scottsdale.”
Councilwoman Solange Whitehead also congratulated Graham and Ugenti-Rita and thanked Zubia. Whitehead expressed respect for Zubia and thanked Scottsdale residents for participating in the election.
Graham, a certified public accountant who has served on the council since 2023, is positioned to return for a second term. Ugenti-Rita previously represented Scottsdale in the Arizona Legislature for 12 years.
The contest began with eight candidates competing for three council seats in the July 21 primary. Whitehead secured reelection outright, leaving two seats to be decided in November. Graham, Ugenti-Rita, Zubia, and former Councilman Bob Littlefield advanced to the general election.
Littlefield formally withdrew August 4, leaving three candidates on the November ballot. He stepped aside to avoid splitting votes with Graham and Ugenti-Rita, who shared his opposition to the apartment component of Axon’s headquarters development.
The Axon dispute followed the council’s 2024 approval of rezoning for the Taser manufacturer’s headquarters campus and associated housing. Residents organized through Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (TAAAZE) gathered signatures seeking a public vote on the rezoning. Subsequent state legislation, SB 1543, blocked that referendum effort.
In November 2025, the council approved a compromise agreement in a 4–3 vote allowing 600 apartments and 600 condominiums across two construction phases. Mayor Lisa Borowsky defended the agreement as a reduction in the project’s residential density. Axon thanked Borowsky, Vice Mayor Adam Kwasman, Whitehead, and Councilwoman Maryann McAllen for supporting the deal.
The dispute carried into the council campaign. In June, Graham, Ugenti-Rita, and Littlefield sent a letter to Axon’s board alleging that company executives were financing efforts to defeat candidates opposed to the apartment component. Arizonans for a Better Future received $500,000 from Axon, $500,000 from CEO Rick Smith, $100,000 from President Josh Isner, and $20,000 from Chief Legal Officer Isaiah Fields.
Water policy also divided the candidates. Zubia supported expanding wastewater purification for drinking water. Ugenti-Rita opposed adding purified recycled water directly to the drinking supply, while Graham described the option as a last resort.
Ugenti-Rita also campaigned against Flock license plate readers. In an August 10 campaign statement, she wrote, “I oppose Flock cameras because I believe the right to privacy outweighs the benefits of putting citizens under continuous, automated surveillance.”
The standings shifted as ballots were counted. Zubia led in the first returns Tuesday evening before subsequent updates moved Graham and Ugenti-Rita into the top two positions. The successful candidates will take office in January 2027.
Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh has won reelection in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, and former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb has won the open 5th District seat. The victories keep both seats in Republican hands following competitive general election contests.
Hamadeh defeated Democratic challenger Bernadette Greene-Placentia to secure a second term representing the West Valley district. Lamb defeated Democrat Elizabeth Lee for the seat held by Republican Rep. Andy Biggs, who sought the governor’s office instead of reelection to Congress. The 5th District includes much of the East Valley and portions of Pinal County.
JUST IN: AP projects Republican Abe Hamadeh has won the U.S. House Arizona District 8 matchup defeating Democrat Bernadette Greene-Placentia. More election results: https://t.co/frWNADY5t9pic.twitter.com/NjNQZgLBf4
Both Republican candidates recovered from early deficits. Lee and Greene-Placentia initially led Tuesday evening before subsequent ballot counts moved Lamb and Hamadeh ahead. By Friday morning, both Republicans held more than 51% of the reported vote.
Lamb’s victory follows his Republican primary win over Daniel Keenan. Hamadeh faced no Republican primary challenger.
JUST IN: AP projects Republican Mark Lamb has won the U.S. House Arizona District 5 matchup, defeating Democrat Elizabeth Lee. More election results: https://t.co/frWNADY5t9pic.twitter.com/zStadxb7lm
Both candidates received support from the National Federation of Independent Business’s (NFIB) federal political action committee. The NFIB FedPAC endorsed Lamb and Hamadeh among six Arizona congressional candidates, citing their positions on small business issues, economic growth, and regulation.
The Republican victories followed Democratic gains elsewhere in Arizona’s congressional delegation. Republican Jay Feely conceded the 1st District contest to Democrat Amish Shah, while Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani conceded the 6th District race to Democrat JoAnna Mendoza.
Mendoza said Ciscomani called to congratulate her and concede. “Country over party. Service above self. Southern Arizona always,” she said.
The 2nd District contest between Republican Rep. Eli Crane and Democrat Jonathan Nez has remained uncalled as of this report. With Hamadeh and Lamb’s races decided, Republicans have secured three Arizona congressional seats, Democrats have secured five, and the Crane-Nez contest would determine the remaining seat.
Arizona’s only female member of Congress wants to focus her next term on rallying her fellow Democrats behind prosecuting President Donald Trump and stopping AI development.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03) cruised to victory on Tuesday, unhindered due to the absence of a formal Republican opponent.
Ansari’s main opponents were No Labels Party candidate Alan Averesa and Green Party candidate David Redkey. Jacob Parkman, a Republican, pulled nearly 1,300 votes as an adjudicated write-in candidate.
As polls began to close across the nation on Tuesday, early results made clear that Democrats had flipped a massive number of federal, state, and down-the-ballot seats — especially in Arizona, where the Democrats retained their triplex, are poised to flip several House seats, and on their way to cinching a trifecta with a historic flip of the state legislature.
The Democrats took control of both the House and Senate, flipping 30 seats in the House and 7 seats in the Senate as of this report. The party also secured its first majority of governorships in 16 years, flipping seats to gain control in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas.
The party flipped three secretary of state seats, in Georgia, Indiana, and Ohio, along with three attorney general seats, in Georgia, Iowa, and Texas. Nine states also face potential shakeups in state legislatures that were previously under Republican control.
About two hours after the polls had closed, Ansari issued her first response to the initial waves of election results.
“Thank you, Mr. President. Our thank you will come in January — with subpoenas,” said Ansari.
Thank you, Mr. President. Our thank you will come in January – with subpoenas.
— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) November 4, 2026
Ansari made similar comments during the Arizona Democratic Party’s Election Night gathering on Tuesday.
“The very top priorities are to investigate this administration and investigate this administration, investigate their corruption,” said Ansari.
Ansari has also called for the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) November 4, 2026
The most robust call to action by Ansari following Election Day by far, however, has concerned artificial intelligence.
“Top of the Democratic agenda on day 1 needs to be a pause on advanced AI development, regulation of this out of control industry, and a ban on artificial superintelligence,” said Ansari.
Top of the Democratic agenda on day 1 needs to be a pause on advanced AI development, regulation of this out of control industry, and a ban on artificial superintelligence.
— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) November 4, 2026
The proposal sparked criticism from members of the public, who challenged that AI was serious support for the nation’s crippled economy.
“Agree, we gotta end the only thing propping up the economy,” said one user.
Ansari also dismissed and mocked voter concerns regarding Islam. The congresswoman indicated that the midterm election results proved that Americans welcome the Islamic religion.
“‘Voters rejecting Islamophobia a lot louder than many people in national media.’ This,” said Ansari. “‘Per Sharia law, everyone is trans starting tomorrow.’ Sad I didn’t come up with this one.”
