by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 19, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans were excited to return to work at the state legislature for another year.
Earlier this week, the Arizona Legislature restarted its engines for the beginning of the 57th Regular Session, commencing the third year of a divided state government between Republicans in the House of Representatives and Senate and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs.
State Representative Quang Nguyen posted, “Getting ready for the opening day, AZ Legislature.”
Nguyen also said, “I look forward to this 2025 session as Chairman of Judiciary Committee. Nothing radical will survive my shredder.”
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope added, “Happy Opening Day Arizona!”
Representative Rachel Jones shared the oath of office with a picture of her being sworn into the new term: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of House Representative according to the best of my ability, so help me God.”
Senator Janae Shamp was honored with the position of her chamber’s Majority Leader, becoming the third female in that role in the state’s storied history. The X account for the Arizona Senate Republicans wrote, “Today, Senator Shamp made history as only the third female Majority Leader of the Arizona Senate! At the Senate Opening Day Ceremony, Majority Leader Shamp had the distinct honor of introducing State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, formerly known as Senate Majority Leader Yee from 2017-2019. Majority Leader Shamp joins the ranks of Kimberly Yee and the legendary Sandra Day O’Connor as just one of three women to serve as the Arizona Senate Majority Leader in Arizona history. This achievement marks a significant step forward for women in political leadership positions, setting the stage by inspiring future generations of women in leadership.”
State Treasurer Kimberly Yee shared praise for Shamp, saying, “It was an honor to recognize Senator Shamp as the 3rd female Senate Majority Leader in Arizona’s history. As the 2nd female Senate Majority Leader, I was honored to congratulate Leader Shamp on this accomplishment and offer her words of wisdom as she begins this important role.”
Senator Shawnna Bolick posted, “Earlier today, I took my oath to uphold our state’s and US Constitution and laws governing us against foreign and domestic enemies. It is an honor to serve my second term in the State Senate representing District 2. Thank you to everyone who helped us retain this legislative seat.”
Representative Michael Carbone added, “Honored to be sworn in as Majority Leader in the State House this past Monday, along with these fellow State Representatives and Senator. We’re ready to get to work!”
State Representative Michele Peña wrote, “I’m privileged and honored to have been sworn in last Monday to represent LD 23 for two more years. Thank you to my constituents, friends and family for your support. I’m ready to continue working hard for you.”
Representative Justin Olson stated, “It was an honor to be sworn in to the 57th Arizona State Legislature today! I look forward to serving my constituents while working to protect and preserve the conservative principles of our country’s founding. We are so blessed to live in a land where freedom reigns!”
These Republicans – and the others in their caucuses – will be counted upon to hold the line against their Democrat counterparts and Governor Katie Hobbs in, what will certainly be, another contentious installment of an Arizona state government.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 19, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Democrats returned to work at the state legislature last week – this time with smaller numbers than the previous year.
Last Monday, the Arizona Legislature revved back into action for the 57th Regular Session. Even though legislative Democrats lost ground in both chambers during the November 2024 General Election, they were still excited for the start of the year and the work ahead to stand with Governor Katie Hobbs in a divided state government.
On its X account, the Arizona Senate Democrats Caucus posted, “Today the 57th Legislature kicks-off and Democrats have set a bold agenda to make Arizona more affordable, invest in public education, secure our water future, keep government out of our private lives, and protect our right to vote.”
State Representative Consuelo Hernandez wrote, “Honored to be sworn in for my second term in the 57th legislature as your state representative in district 21! Thank you for the confidence I commit to fighting to help improve our community. Thank you for your support!”
In a press conference before the Opening Day festivities, House Democrat Leader Oscar De Los Santos said, “It is time to put working families first. That is why we will make the government work for you and not the special interests.”
State Senator Eva Diaz added, “Today is Opening Day at the State Legislature. I will continue to take action for District 22 by advocating for effective public education, quality healthcare that’s accessible and affordable, and the rights of vulnerable communities and working class families.”
Senator Analise Ortiz stated, “Today I was officially sworn in as your State Senator. Thank you, Maryvale and Glendale for your trust in me. I’m honored to go to work every day to fight on your behalf for housing we can afford, fair wages, safe communities, and fully-funded public schools.”
Representative Kevin Volk posted, “This week, I was sworn in as State Representative for District 17 in Arizona’s 57th Legislature. I’m grateful to my family, friends, and supporters, and to the voters who entrusted me with this great responsibility. It is an honor to serve.”
While Democrats are filled with optimism at the beginning of this new legislative session, they will be largely relegated to the background as Republican lawmakers control the mechanisms of the House and Senate and lead negotiations on key items during the session, such as the budget. Democrats will again provide support for Hobbs however they can from their perches in the minority and attempt to set the stage for a legislative takeover in two years, in what will be another critical election year for the State of Arizona.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 18, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Border security was again a hot topic on the first day of the Arizona Legislative session for 2025.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs gave her State of the State address on Monday and discussed the issue of border security during her speech. Hobbs said, “A truly thriving economy means security for our families and neighbors. That’s why safe communities are a core pillar of the Arizona Promise and why I’ve made border security a top priority… We must remain vigilant in protecting Arizonans from the cartels who seek to do us harm. The fentanyl crisis is one of the greatest threats to public safety in our state’s history and requires a collaborative approach across state, local, and federal governments. When we work together, we protect Arizona families. I will continue working with this legislature to protect our border because until all Arizonans feel secure in their communities, we will not be able to deliver on our Promise of freedom and opportunity.”
Republicans were not amused by the governor’s comments, highlighting the many times she has opposed efforts to secure the border and protect Arizona communities from the harms and dangers wrought by illegal immigration. Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen said, “When the Governor promised to prioritize border security last year, her actions did not match her words. She vetoed our border bills. But, the voters spoke loud and clear last November. They want their government to enforce the law and secure our open border. We will support President Trump and our law enforcement in their efforts to protect Arizonans from the crime pouring into our communities and jeopardizing our national security.”
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope added, “If the Governor or any other elected leaders choose to stand in the way…get ready for court. The Republican-led Arizona Legislature vows to uphold the rule of law, and we will exhaust all legal options to ensure the chaos we’ve lived for the past four years comes to an end.”
Late last year, Hobbs released an ambiguous post on her official X account, indirectly taking aim at the Trump administration’s forthcoming actions on the border after his momentous victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the historic November General Election. She said, “Securing our border is not a red issue or a blue issue. It’s an Arizona issue and an American issue. I’ll work with anyone to secure our border while standing up to misguided policies that attack Arizonans.”
Thus far in her administration, Hobbs has resisted most attempts by Republicans to maximize Arizona’s resources and laws to better protect communities against the harms from illegal immigration. That resistance led to state legislative Republicans sending a border security ballot measure to voters this past November – Proposition 314, which gave local law enforcement more tools to combat illegal immigration across the state. Arizona Republicans are expected to continue to search for ways to assist the Trump Administration to stop the flow of illegal immigration into and through their state over the next two years.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 5, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
On February 27, 1968, President Lyndon Baines Johnson was said to have listened to a devastating report by anchorman Walter Cronkite who assessed the Vietnam War as “to end in a stalemate.” According to Westpoint’s Modern War Institute, David Halberstam wrote in his 1979 book, “The Powers That Be,” that Johnson told press secretary, George Christian, “that if he had lost Walter Cronkite he had lost Mr. Average Citizen.”
Similarly, Arizona Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs appears to have lost Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts. In the columnist’s “10 awards for the best of the worst in Arizona politics in 2024,” Hobbs was named “Biggest Loser.”
In the article where she in turn condemns Arizona’s Republican 2020 alternate electors, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, State Senator Justine Wadsack, State Representative Austin Smith, and former AZGOP Chair Jeff DeWitt, Roberts called out Hobbs’ catastrophic failure to flip the Arizona Legislature and wrench control of the government from the GOP.
As Roberts noted, “Instead, she lost two seats in the House and one in the Senate, and now faces the most conservative Legislature of our time … maybe even any time.”
The AZCentral columnist went on to observe that the increased majority in both houses of the legislature will likely spell trouble for the embattled Democrat, who finds herself at the lowest point of her favorability, 36%. But it doesn’t end there. As Citizens For Free Enterprise Press Secretary Dan Coulson noted in a late November post to X, Hobbs is also a “Target of 2 separate criminal investigations,” with an undoubted primary challenge on the horizon.
Roberts went on to prognosticate that the Trump administration would seek to characterize Hobbs as “out-of-touch with everyday Arizonans.” However, it seems likely that Trump will be more concerned with expanding the House GOP majority in Arizona, seeking to exploit any weaknesses in the Arizona House Democrats Caucus. One could imagine a concerted effort to oust Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) who enters his third term in the House in January by a slim 7.2 point margin.
The gubernatorial challenge is bound to be far more of a concern for the Republican National Committee and the Republican Governors Association—though the President is likely to weigh in as he’s wont to do.
For now, Roberts’ assessment of Hobbs as 2024’s “Biggest Loser” appears to be apt, and the ghost of Walter Cronkite may have claimed another Democrat.
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 Daniel Stefanski | Dec 3, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona’s Senate President continues to stand in for an absentee attorney general in defense of key state and national laws.
Senate President Warren Petersen recently participated in a panel discussion with three state attorneys general, which was hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association. In a post on his X account, Petersen said, “I sat on a panel discussion with 3 of the best AGs in the country to discuss possible legal action to take to secure the border. Thanks to the forsight of a prior legislature (see ARS 12-1841) as President I have been given standing to step in and defend our laws when our current AG fails to. In the last two years I have been involved with dozens of lawsuits. I will continue to do all I can to protect AZ when the AG fails.”
Petersen’s appearance with the attorneys general from New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Kansas, may have sent the strongest signal to date in Arizona about the likelihood and strength of a campaign for the job of the state’s top prosecutor in 2026.
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.
Many of the several briefs and lawsuits Petersen has signed onto are spearheaded by Republican attorneys general, giving him firsthand 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. Petersen is believed to have significant support within the different factions of the Republican Party in Arizona, which may help him to stave off a serious challenge and to save resources for the General Election with Mayes.
President Petersen recently acknowledged the “24 AGs who have written amicus briefs to SCOTUS for the case Warren Petersen et al. v. Jane Doe et al. in Support of AZs Save Women’s Sports act.” He added that, “Mayes refused to defend the law so I have intervened. … I will do all I can to make sure our girls can compete safely and on a fair playing field.”
Republican and Democrat attorneys general around the country are expected to flip their current legal roles with the incoming Trump administration in January. Republicans will likely assume positions in support of most of the White House’s agenda, while Democrats will take the lead on challenging executive actions from the various federal departments and agencies in Washington, D.C. Petersen, who will probably continue his growing partnership with Republican attorneys general, and Mayes, will assuredly be on opposing sides on a number of legal, policy, and political issues throughout the next two years, giving Arizona voters valuable insight on their values for the state and the office.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
