WARREN PETERSEN: Arizona Deserves An Attorney General Who Will Defend Its Laws

WARREN PETERSEN: Arizona Deserves An Attorney General Who Will Defend Its Laws

by | May 7, 2026 | Opinion

By Sen. Warren Petersen |

Over the past three years, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has been executing a political agenda.

She has refused to defend state laws—while going out of her way to attack common-sense federal policies—simply on the grounds that she personally disagrees.

She’s failed to uphold our values. She’s destroyed common sense. And she has pursued an extreme political agenda to appease her party leadership—all the while undermining President Trump’s efforts to make America great again.

Principled, hard-working Arizonans have paid the price for her politically motivated dereliction of duty.

I’m running for Attorney General because Arizona desperately needs a top law enforcement officer who will uphold our laws and fairly represent Arizona families.

As Senate President, I’ve taken part in over 110 lawsuits to ensure Arizona’s laws and interests are defended when the Attorney General wouldn’t act. We have led an unprecedented campaign to protect Arizonans, and our action has provided unparalleled experience.

I’ve defended Arizona’s sex offender registration laws. The case in question, Doe v. Sheridan, argues whether our state can mandate convicted sex offenders to keep law enforcement informed, including reporting online identifiers used on social media and other platforms, so officers can investigate crimes and prevent future harms. The Arizona Legislature stepped up and successfully defended the sex offender registration laws in court after the Arizona attorney general failed to carry out her responsibility to do so.

I’ve defended the integrity of girls’ sports. As Senate President, I’ve led the defense of Arizona’s Save Women’s Sports Act in federal court against special interests seeking to allow boys to play in girls’ sports. We’ve taken this case all the way to the Supreme Court, and we’re waiting on a major ruling from the nation’s high court on similar cases that could affect Arizona’s law.

I’ve defended laws dealing with the First Amendment. One of those cases was Chiles v. Salazar, where the Arizona Legislature joined a challenge to Colorado’s conversion therapy ban. Another was in NRA v. Vullo, where we challenged whether the State of New York could threaten banks with adverse regulatory actions if they provided services to the National Rifle Association.

I’ve defended laws related to the Second Amendment. One of those cases was Smith & Wesson v. Mexico, defending American firearms manufacturers from being held liable from frivolous lawsuits from foreign entities. Another was Miller v. Bonta, challenging California’s ban on the manufacture, distribution, importation, and possession of various firearms.

I’ve defended laws related to the Eighth Amendment. Under my leadership, the Arizona Senate filed briefs to allow cities to disband homelessness encampments, winning at the Supreme Court.

I’ve defended the state’s right to carry out justice regarding capital punishment.

I’ve defended election integrity. We intervened to defend Arizona’s ability to make sure only citizens are voting in our elections.

I’ve defended our state against radical environmentalists. In Petersen v. EPA, we sued the Biden-led EPA to overturn unattainable environmental standards that punished job creators, and detrimentally impacted America’s power grid. We joined a lawsuit to block a California rule forcing trucking drivers to use less efficient battery-powered vehicles, which would have further increased the costs of everyday items.

I’ve defended our state against unconstitutional executive overreach. We challenged then-President Biden’s executive order forcing federal contractors and their employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

And I’ve defended our state against rampant government encroachment on our lands. 

Thanks to my involvement in these—and dozens of other legal efforts—I’ve been called Arizona’s de facto Attorney General, stepping in where our liberal Attorney General has shamefully abdicated her role. Our engagement in these matters has allowed me to serve our great citizens and provide leadership where none existed. It’s time for Arizona to once again have an Attorney General committed to serving all the people—not just partisan special interests.

Warren Petersen is the President of the Arizona State Senate and represents Legislative District 14. He is currently running to be Arizona’s next Attorney General.

Petersen Files Legal Brief To Defend Sex Offender Registration Laws

Petersen Files Legal Brief To Defend Sex Offender Registration Laws

by | Apr 15, 2026 | News

By Ethan Faverino |

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has filed a new legal brief in the case of Doe v. Sheridan, urging the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Arizona’s sex offender registration and monitoring laws, which are designed to protect children and families across the state.

The filing comes after a significant victory at the trial court level, where a federal judge rejected constitutional challenges and upheld Arizona’s lifetime registration and reporting requirements for convicted sex offenders.

The plaintiff, a convicted sex offender who pleaded guilty to crimes involving a minor and accepted lifetime probation and registration as part of the plea agreement, is now appealing the decision in an effort to weaken the state’s ability to track and monitor potential threats.

At issue is Arizona’s requirement that convicted sex offenders provide law enforcement with updated information, including online identifiers used on social media and other internet platforms. These provisions enable authorities to investigate crimes more effectively, deter repeat offenses, and safeguard communities from future harm.

“We already prevailed in federal court because Arizona’s law is constitutional and serves a clear public safety purpose,” stated Petersen. “These requirements give law enforcement the ability to track convicted offenders, investigate crimes, and prevent future harm. Weakening those safeguards does not make anyone safer; it only makes it easier for offenders to operate without oversight.”

When Attorney General Kris Mayes declined to defend the law in court, the Arizona Legislature intervened to protect these critical public safety measures. The trial court ultimately ruled in favor of the state, affirming that the registration requirements are constitutional and serve a vital public safety purpose.

“It is deeply concerning that Arizona’s Attorney General has chosen not to defend this law,” added Petersen. “When the state refuses to stand behind its own laws, especially those designed to protect children, the Legislature has a duty to act. We will continue defending these protections to ensure Arizona families are not left exposed.”

The Ninth Circuit will now review the case and decide whether to affirm the lower court’s ruling, preserving Arizona’s sex offender monitoring laws.

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

WARREN PETERSEN: Arizona Deserves An Attorney General Who Will Defend Its Laws

Arizona Legislature Prevails In Federal Court Challenge To Sex Offender Registration Law

by | Nov 12, 2025 | News

By Jonathan Eberle |

A federal court has upheld Arizona’s sex offender registration requirements, marking a significant legal win for state lawmakers who intervened to defend the statutes after Attorney General Kris Mayes declined to do so.

In Doe v. Sheridan, plaintiffs sought to overturn Arizona’s lifetime registration and reporting rules for certain convicted sex offenders. The lawsuit challenged requirements that mandate lifetime inclusion on the state’s sex offender registry, reporting of residential changes, and disclosure of online identifiers. Critics of the law argued the measures were overly burdensome and unconstitutional.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes did not defend the state’s position in the case, prompting Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro to step in on behalf of the legislature. They argued the laws are essential for transparency and community safety.

U.S. District Judge Stephen McNamee ruled last week to uphold the statutes, finding the state’s registration and monitoring system constitutional. Petersen said the ruling reinforces key safeguards for families.

“When the Attorney General didn’t defend Arizona’s public safety laws, we refused to allow the safety of our children to be jeopardized,” Petersen said in a statement. “This ruling makes clear that tracking convicted sex offenders is not only constitutional – it is necessary to protect families and prevent new victimization.”

Under the ruling, Arizona will continue to require lifetime registration for qualifying sex offenders; require prompt reporting of address and online identity changes; and maintain public tools that allow law enforcement and families to monitor registered offenders.

Petersen called the outcome “a victory for every parent in Arizona,” adding that legislative leaders will continue to act to protect communities when others decline to defend state law.

Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.