by Matthew Holloway | Feb 12, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona House of Representatives passed a bill unanimously on Monday to intensify prison sentences for fentanyl traffickers. Supporters say it will strengthen law enforcement’s tools against the opioid crisis.
House Bill 2132, sponsored by Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-LD1), lowers the amount of fentanyl that triggers enhanced prison terms in state law. Under current law, mandatory enhanced sentences apply at the 200-gram threshold; the measure approved by the House would apply those penalties at 100 grams.
The bill passed the chamber with unanimous support and now advances to the Arizona Senate for further consideration.
“Fentanyl is killing Arizonans, destroying families, and driving crime across our state,” Nguyen said in a statement following the Monday vote. “HB 2132 targets the dealers who profit from death and puts serious prison time on the table. This bill backs law enforcement, protects our communities, and makes clear that Arizona will not tolerate fentanyl trafficking.”
According to the Arizona House GOP leadership, enhanced sentence ranges under existing law carry mandatory terms of five to 15 years, with longer terms for repeat offenders. Nguyen’s office says applying those penalties at a lower fentanyl threshold better reflects how the drug is moved and sold in real-world trafficking cases.
Critics of stricter sentencing, such as Rep. Alma Hernandez (D-LD20), have argued that enhanced penalties alone may not significantly deter addiction or drug distribution. She told the Judicial Committee in January, “I am just concerned that we continue to move the goal posts,” as reported by the AZ Mirror.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jeff Newnum described fentanyl as “a drug of mass destruction,” speaking to the committee. He explained that 100 grams amounts to approximately 1,000 pills, adding that an average sale in his county involves about 30 grams.
“I would love an amendment that lowers it to 30 grams, but I’ll take 100 grams today,” Newnum said per the Mirror. “These are not people, in my opinion, that need to be placed on probation. They need to be put in prison.”
“Public safety is non-negotiable,” Nguyen said in his statement. “House Republicans are taking direct action against fentanyl dealers because Arizona families deserve safe streets, strong laws, and accountability for those who profit from destruction.”
The next stop for HB 2132 is the state Senate, where it will be assigned to a committee before a potential floor vote. A similar measure from Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-LD7), Senate Bill 1061, would lower the enhanced sentencing threshold to nine grams. The bill passed the Senate Judicial Committee in January and is pending a floor vote.
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.
by Staff Reporter | Jan 19, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A Phoenix-based progressive lobbyist organization is being accused of involvement in an “illegal” political campaign against two Democratic state lawmakers.
The campaign, “Hernandon’t,” is allegedly the handiwork of at least one lobbyist with Creosote Partners. Hernandon’t seeks to prevent the reelection of Democratic state representatives Alma Hernandez and Consuelo Hernandez this November.
The campaign accuses the Hernandez sisters of being “far-right Democrats” who align more with President Donald Trump than the Democratic Party. Specific grievances include the sisters’ votes or sponsorships of bills banning police budget cuts, enabling institutionalization of the homeless, prohibiting antisemitism in public schools, banning unauthorized encampments at public universities, and requiring age verification for online access to pornography.
The campaign is also seeking viable candidates to run against the Hernandez sisters.
The Hernandont’s website doesn’t disclose who is behind the campaign. Rather, a disclosure at the bottom of the website says, “Hernandon’t is sponsored by an individual and not by any political committee.”
Arizona law requires disclosures under certain circumstances on political advertisements:
“A person that makes an expenditure for an advertisement or fundraising solicitation, other than an individual, shall include […] disclosures in the advertisement[.]”
Statute defines advertisements as any “information or materials, other than nonpaid social media messages, that are mailed, emailed, posted, distributed, published, displayed, delivered, broadcasted, or placed in a communication medium and that are for the purposes of influencing an election.”
Earlier this week, Rep. Alma Hernandez posted on X that a sign from the Hernandon’t campaign was placed in her neighborhood, and that it lacked the “paid for by” disclosure. Hernandez accused those behind Hernandon’t of breaking the law.
Hernandez specifically accused one of the Creosote Partners, Hugo Polanco, of being behind Hernandon’t after he appeared in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday with a Hernandon’t sticker on his laptop. Hernandez is a member of the House Judiciary Committee. She asked Hugo whether the sticker on his laptop was related to the campaign, and he confirmed it was.
“Clearly showing his direct involvement is a new level of stupid,” said Hernandez.
Later that day on the House floor, Hernandez made a public statement accusing Polanco of “deeply troubling, inappropriate, creepy, and unacceptable” behavior. Hernandez also put Creosote Partners on notice.
“To all lobbyists, I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to work,” said Hernandez. “I don’t work for you. I work for my district who has elected me for the last eight years.”
Hugo was present at the House Judiciary Committee to deliver testimony on House Bill 2108 as a representative of Rural Arizona Action. Chairman Quang Nguyen interrupted Hugo twice for failing to speak to the bill.
Hugo strayed from the bill when he attempted to discuss the case of the Minnesota woman fatally shot after driving into an ICE agent, Renee Good. Nguyen advised Hugo that the Good incident was federal in nature.
Later, Rural Arizona Action cited Nguyen’s two corrections as part of their claim that Nguyen “cut off” Hugo mid-testimony. Hugo was allowed to finish his testimony, per the committee video.
Polanco’s coworkers at Creosote Partners are familiar with independent efforts to make and distribute campaign materials.
Jeanne Woodbury, transgender activist and fellow lobbyist at Creosote Partners, designed and posted campaign signs against Proposition 138 in 2024.
The campaign signs read “No on Prop 138, we can do the f*****g math.” Woodbury told the Arizona Agenda and the Arizona Republic in separate interviews that he put them next to campaign signs in favor of Proposition 138.
Woodbury claimed to the Arizona Republic that he wasn’t required to put a funding disclosure on his signs because he paid for them himself as an individual.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 16, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
President Trump’s historic Gaza ceasefire deal, signed Monday with Palestinian leaders and Israel, has sparked rare bipartisan praise from Arizona’s elected officials.
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ05) wrote from the gubernatorial campaign trail, “This incredible day is happening because of President Trump’s strength and determination to bring peace to the region.”
However, he has also raised the alarm regarding post-deal barbarism from Hamas, with reports of public executions in Gaza streets just hours after inking the treaty. “Hamas is carrying out barbaric executions… They must do so expeditiously or face consequences for violating the ceasefire,” he posted on X.
Kudos have poured in from Democrats as well, with Sen. Mark Kelly offering Trump a rare bipartisan praise. “I think he should get a lot of credit. I mean, this was his deal. He worked this out. He sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner over to negotiate this, and it so far has gone well,” Kelly told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”
Kelly hailed the hostage returns and the flood of aid trucks that “should have been happening over the last two years.” Kelly, however, cautioned, “I am concerned that they may change their minds here.”
Kelly posted on X: “After two years, this is a real opening for peace that will release the hostages and get desperately needed aid to civilians in Gaza. There’s a lot more work to see this through, but I appreciate the work of President Trump, the administration, and our international partners to reach this point.”
Senator Ruben Gallego notably avoided lauding the Trump administration in his statement on Monday, merely calling the peace “profoundly overdue.” He wrote, “After two long years, the final Israeli hostages have returned home. This day is profoundly overdue, and my heart is with the families whose unwavering hope and perseverance made it possible. Their return marks an important step toward peace. I remain steadfast in the belief that the United States must continue its efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians and that Gaza is rebuilt.”
Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08), who has been instrumental in the administration’s Middle East diplomacy, wrote a lengthy statement, saying in part: “In a day some thought would never come, the remaining Israeli hostages have been freed and returned to their families.”
Hamadeh added, “It was a day 737 days in the making and one that wouldn’t have been possible without the bold leadership of President Trump and the hard diplomatic work of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and the entire Trump Administration.”
Hamadeh asked God for blessings for the returning hostages, their families and the families of those whose remains were returned adding, “It is my fervent hope that the bodies of those who haven’t been returned are located and returned soon.” He concluded: “Blessed are the peacemakers who fought so hard on behalf of these families amidst overwhelming odds and overwhelming uncertainty.”
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) offered very direct praise from the State House, naming the President simply “the peacemaker.” He wrote, “Peace in the Middle East. Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, the peacemaker.”
State Rep. Alma Hernandez (D-LD 10) provided a particularly raw and emotional take as well from the Democrat side of the aisle, posting about her openly sobbing over reunion videos only to wake in fresh grief for the families learning their loved ones wouldn’t return.
Though she didn’t directly credit the administration, she wrote, “While we are all overjoyed and celebrating the return of the 20 hostages, let’s not forget those families who anxiously waited for over two years to find out this morning that their loved one was not returning alive… I can’t imagine the feeling of great heartbreak & sorrow those families are feeling right now. They held on to every ounce of hope… my heart goes out to them, and I pray that they will overcome this tragedy.”
Notably, as of this report, no statements from Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, or Secretary of State Adrian Fontes praising the administration were publicly available, despite all three being vocal on the topic of the Hamas-Israel conflict.
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.
by Matthew Holloway | Jul 29, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
An error in the Pima County Recorder’s Office has reportedly resulted in approximately 1,294 erroneous ballots being mailed to voters for the August 5 city of Tucson primary election. The error was acknowledged in a statement from Democrat Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly’s office, with the problem isolated to Wards 3, 5, and 6, where voters were sent ballots for the incorrect party’s primary election.
According to the Tucson Sentinel, Lane Mandle, chief of staff to Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure, told reporters Saturday that county election officials are working to determine precisely how many of the incorrect ballots were sent, but the maximum number provided was 1,294. Mandle noted that she was not aware if any of the incorrect ballots had been cast, but insisted that the City Clerk’s Office is working to correct the matter.
“We’re not at the very last minute here,” Mandle told the outlet. “We’re gonna figure out a way. Nobody’s gonna be disenfranchised.”
In a post to X on Sunday, Rep. Alma Hernandez (D-LD20) called out the Democrat Pima County recorder saying, “This is what happens when we elect unqualified people to office. And this is NOT the first time Pima County Recorder has made a significant mistake with ballots and dates.”
In a Monday press release, the County Recorder announced that the error originated from a necessary override required to manage the information for the three overlapping elections.
“The error was a result of a need for Recorder’s Office staff to override a mechanism within the data system that prevents party changes during an active election,” the office said. “The override was necessary because of the overlap of three elections: the Congressional District 7 Special Primary, the City of Tucson Primary, and the City of South Tucson Special Recall.”
The system changes were made on July 17th, following the Congressional District 7 election, according to the county.
“The issue was identified on July 25, after three voters reported receiving the wrong party’s ballot through the mail. The data error has since been corrected, and the City of Tucson is assessing the situation to determine how best to provide a remedy for City Voters,” the Recorder’s Office added.
The County Recorder said that voters who were impacted by the error “are still eligible to get a ballot at any Ballot Replacement Site now through (Aug. 5) Election Day.”
The officials concluded, “The City of Tucson and the Pima County Recorder’s Office are committed to maintaining transparency and trust in the electoral process. We remain committed to ensuring all voters are able to vote in elections for which they are eligible. We are conducting a full audit of our systems and procedures to prevent such incidents in the future. Voters with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the City of Tucson for assistance (520) 791- 3221.”
For more information on the City of Tucson Primary Election, click here.
Correction: A previous version of this article listed ballot replacement sites for a different election. That information has been removed from this story.
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.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 22, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Arizona Republican Assembly (AZRA) has released its Final Legislative Scorecard for the 2025 Arizona State Legislative Session.
This scorecard evaluates Arizona State Senate and House of Representatives members based on their voting records and alignment with AZRA’s core principles of limited government, individual liberties, and fiscal responsibility.
As primary elections approach, this scorecard is a critical tool for voters to distinguish authentic conservatives from those who merely claim the label.
The AZRA Legislative Scorecard is the only one, not only in Arizona but in the nation, where a committee of twelve members from across the state invest thousands of hours analyzing over 1,800 bills annually, rating more than 250 bills.
AZRA then publishes these bill ratings before legislative votes, notifying every legislator in advance and inviting feedback to ensure fairness. To maintain integrity, AZRA contracts a national data firm that receives daily voting data from the Arizona Legislative Council, updating results without manipulation or bias.
The scorecard lists 30 State Senators and 60 State Representatives, providing numerical scores out of 100 based on weighted votes on key bills. Scores are presented alphabetically by last name for letter grades, in descending order, along with party affiliation and legislative district.
Among senators, Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) earned the highest score of 98.5, followed by Senator Wendy Rogers (R-LD7) at 96.9, Senator David Farnsworth (R-LD10) at 95.9, and Senator Timothy Dunn (R-LD25) at 95.5.
The highest-ranking Democrats were Senator Brian Fernandez (D-LD23) at 40.5 and Rosanna Gabaldón (D-LD21), at 34.1. The lowest scoring Democrats were Lauren Kuby (D-LD8) at 25.4 and Priya Sundareshan (D-LD18) at 23.8.
Representative Selina Bliss (R-LD1) led the House with a score of 96.8, followed by a four-way tie at 96.1 among Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-KD25), John Gillette (R-LD30), Quang Nguyen (R-LD1), and James Taylor (R-LD29).
Rep. Bliss recognized AZRA’s Scorecard saying, “It is an honor to be recognized, along with seatmate Quang Nguyen, by the Arizona Republican Assembly for our work at the Capitol!”
Out of the Democrat Representatives, Alma Hernandez (D-LD20) scored the highest with a 49.4 and Consuelo Hernandez (D-LD21) with a 48.8. The lowest ranked Democrats are Quantá Crews (D-LD26) with a score of 26.6 and Mariana Sandoval (D-LD23) with a 25.5.
The AZRA scorecard reveals a significant divide in voting patterns between Republican and Democratic legislators in the Arizona State Senate and House, with Republicans ranging from 78.7 to 98.5 and Democrats scoring from 23.8 to 49.4.
Correction: This story originally stated that there are 50 State Representatives. The story has been updated to reflect the correct number at 60 State Representatives.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
