Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen on Thursday defended the work of the Senate Committee on Director Nominations (DINO), highlighting the committee’s progress and reaffirming its role in ensuring transparency and competence in executive branch appointments.
In a statement issued from the Arizona State Capitol, Petersen said the committee — established in February 2023 and comprised of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers — is functioning as intended to uphold a constitutional check on the governor’s appointment powers.
“In an effort to establish a clear system of checks and balances over state agency directors, I created the bipartisan Senate Committee on Director Nominations (DINO),” Petersen said, noting the panel is currently led by Chairman Jake Hoffman (R) and includes Senators T.J. Shope (R), John Kavanagh (R), Flavio Bravo (D), and Analise Ortiz (D).
According to Petersen, the DINO Committee has reviewed 20 executive nominations since its creation. Of those, 14 nominees have been confirmed by the full Senate, two have been rejected, and three are pending final Senate votes. An additional seven nominations were withdrawn by the Governor’s office before hearings were held.
“The DINO Committee is working as I intended it to, and as a result, we are receiving better quality candidates from the Executive Branch to lead these state agencies,” Petersen said, adding that four nominees are currently awaiting hearings and that two new nominations are needed to replace recently withdrawn candidates.
Some Democrats and political observers have raised concerns that the panel is being used to block or delay nominees over ideological differences rather than qualifications. Petersen rejected that characterization, stating, “We are… weeding out unqualified, highly partisan, incompetent, or corrupt individuals who should not be holding any sort of leadership roles within the State of Arizona.”
In his remarks, Petersen also pushed back on public criticism of the Senate’s rejections, calling media attention to political tensions a distraction from the committee’s overall effectiveness. “The fact is we have confirmed the vast majority of the nominees,” he said. “The process is simple. If the Governor sends us qualified, non-partisan nominees, they will be confirmed.”
Governor Hobbs’ office has not yet publicly responded to Petersen’s latest remarks. Her administration has previously defended its nominees and criticized the Senate for what it describes as politicized obstruction.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs announced Wednesday that two of her top health officials, AHCCCS Director Carmen Heredia and Department of Health Services Director Jennie Cunico, have resigned after it became apparent that the Republican-controlled state Senate would not confirm their appointments.
The resignations come amid a broader struggle between the governor’s office and the state Senate’s Director Nominations Committee, chaired by Republican Senator Jake Hoffman. The committee has become increasingly assertive in vetting Hobbs’ executive agency nominees, and in recent weeks signaled it would reject both Heredia and Cunico. Hobbs’ office said the resignations were necessary due to the Senate Majority’s unwillingness to confirm them.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the important work being conducted on behalf of the citizens of Arizona by the Senate Committee on Director Nominations. I’m pleased Katie Hobbs saved herself, and AHCCCS Director Nominee Carmen Heredia, from the embarrassment of advancing her through the scheduled hearing this week,” said Senate Director Nominations Committee Chair Jake Hoffman. “Under Heredia’s direction, AHCCCS mismanaged the procurement process and improperly awarded contracts for healthcare services for thousands of elderly and physically disabled individuals enrolled in the Arizona Long Term Care System. A judge described the process as ‘arbitrary and capricious’ and recommended a full reset. Instead of responding to the feedback appropriately, Heredia basically told the judicial system to pound sand and moved forward with the contracts. Her refusal to provide transparency in this matter displayed nothing more than arrogance.”
“What’s even worse, Arizona is in the middle of a monumental Medicaid fraud crisis with a loss of more than $2 billion in taxpayer dollars,” continued Hoffman. “Under Katie Hobbs’ leadership, Heredia’s response has been incredibly disturbing, to say the least. Patients in sober living homes were evicted from facilities overnight after AHCCCS poorly executed suspensions of more than 300 providers. Many of these patients were mid-treatment, detoxing, or severely mentally ill and were dropped off on the streets with no identification or transportation. Legitimate providers were caught up in the mess without AHCCCS providing explanations or due process. Some are still waiting to be reinstated or reimbursed. We are left with a broken system due to Heredia’s mismanagement, and our vulnerable populations are caught up in this collapse.”
“Since its inception, the Committee on Director Nominations has been committed to honestly, thoroughly, and accurately vetting Katie Hobbs’ nominees. We have served as Arizonans’ last line of defense against incompetent, unqualified, and highly partisan picks to lead state agencies. We will continue to do the hard work the citizens of Arizona expect of us and will only approve competent, non-partisan individuals to serve in these critical roles,” stated Hoffman. “We look forward to Katie Hobbs sending us a sensible leader that will be able to rein in the abuse that has occurred at AHCCCS.”
Heredia, who led the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) since early 2023, was credited by Hobbs with implementing sweeping reforms that led to nearly $1 billion in Medicaid fraud recoveries and savings over three years. She expanded access to care for working-class children, oversaw transitions to employer-sponsored insurance, and spearheaded behavioral health initiatives such as the Housing and Health Opportunities program.
However, Heredia’s leadership was the subject of fierce criticism from Senate Republicans. Senator Hoffman accused her of mismanaging Medicaid contracts and overseeing what he called a “broken system” during Arizona’s recent Medicaid fraud crisis. The Senate committee never formally held a confirmation hearing for Heredia, but it became clear she lacked the votes needed.
In her resignation letter, Heredia said, “It has become increasingly difficult to carry out this mission in good faith under the current political climate… Political theater has begun to outweigh sound policy.”
Cunico, a career public servant who transitioned from the Ducey administration also became ensnared in the Senate’s broader dispute over executive appointments. “It is clear to me that there is no path forward to confirmation,” Cunico said in her statement.
The latest resignations reflect a deepening power struggle between the Democratic governor and the Republican-led Legislature. Hobbs condemned what she called an “unprecedented politicization” of the confirmation process, warning that the climate in the Capitol is deterring qualified public servants.
“These resignations were not due to a failure in governance, but a failure in politics,” Hobbs said. “The people of Arizona deserve leaders who are judged by their performance, not their party.”
As the governor seeks replacements for both roles, it remains unclear how future nominees will fare in a process increasingly shaped by ideological divisions.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona Freedom Caucus (AFC) says it intends to replace Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Tom Horne in 2026.
AFC’s chairman, State Senator Jake Hoffman, claimed to a press gaggle on Monday that Horne hasn’t put sufficient work into protecting the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program (ESA Program). Hoffman accused Horne of leaving the state legislature to do all the work to protect the state’s school choice program.
Hoffman called Horne “the single greatest threat” to the ESA Program.
“Thanks to the legislature and the conservative leadership that we have, Katie Hobbs is unable to make serious, negative, adverse reforms to school choice in this state. However, Tom Horne is the single greatest threat to school choice. Tom Horne is the single greatest threat to the ESA Program. Tom Horne is the single greatest threat to nearly 100,000 students and their families that are utilizing those programs right now. And so I will certainly be looking for a Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate to challenge Tom Horne.”
Horne denied the accusations from Hoffman in a direct response to the senator.
“I brought charter schools to Arizona when I served in the legislature in the 90s,” said Horne. “I’ve fought to keep ESAs and school choice from an Attorney General and Governor who want it gone. I’m happy to debate you anytime on these issues.”
I brought charter schools to Arizona when I served in the legislature in the 90s. I've fought to keep ESAs and school choice from an Attorney General and Governor who want it gone. I'm happy to debate you anytime on these issues @JakeHoffmanAZ. https://t.co/pPYFjkV5l9
Hoffman took issue with the proposed 2024-2025 ESA Handbook last month. Hoffman and fellow Republicans submitted a letter to the Arizona State Board of Education (ASBE) urging the draft’s rejection.
🚨 ESA ALERT 🚨
The 2024-2025 ESA Handbook was just published & has MAJOR problems!
ESA Parents are NOT happy.
The State Board of Ed is set to approve the flawed handbook THIS MONDAY.
ASBE declined to approve the new handbook during its meeting last week. The board delayed a decision on the proposed handbook for its next meeting toward the end of this month. Horne was the sole board member to motion for a board vote on the proposed handbook during their last meeting.
Horne has consistently presented himself as “the main defender” of the ESA Program. Horne explained the perceived limitations on ESA Program expenditures were necessary written safeguards against abuse of the program.
Per Horne, parents have attempted to take advantage of current unwritten limitations on reimbursements, such as requesting coverage for a $5,000 Rolex watch and a $24,000 golf simulator.
“[These are] abuse of things that are not really for the educational benefit of the child. It’s obvious there has to be some limitations,” said Horne.
The SPI has also pushed back against attempts by Attorney General Kris Mayes and Governor Katie Hobbs — both staunch opponents of the ESA Program and the concept of school choice in general — to undermine and cripple the ESA Program with allegations of poor oversight and management.
Horne says he has consistently referred cases of fraud to Mayes for investigation, as well as increased staffing for auditing and investigative purposes.
“Under my leadership, the department has done a full-court press against waste and fraud. I hired both a program auditor and an investigator, which had not been done before,” said Horne in a January response to Hobbs’ State of the State. “I require that every expenditure be for a valid educational purpose and have been attacked for doing that.”
Nearly 87,800 students participate in the ESA Program as of Monday’s count.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
The Arizona Court of Appeals judge in the “alternate electors” case donated to Attorney General Mayes when she was campaigning on prosecuting President Donald Trump’s 2020 electors.
On Wednesday, the day after Attorney General Kris Mayes asked the court to reject the lower court’s ruling, the appeals court held oral arguments in the alternate electors case.
The appeals court judge on the case, Andrew Jacobs, was appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs in February 2023. Jacobs donated $500 to Mayes’ campaign for the office in 2022. At the time, Jacobs was an attorney with Snell and Wilmer.
Several days after Mayes promised publicly to investigate the 2020 electors, Jacobs submitted his first donation to her campaign.
“I would have immediately investigated the alternate electors as Attorney General,” said Mayes. “Arizona needs a #LawyerForthePeople.”
Another glaring example of Brnovich abdicating his duties. I would have immediately investigated the fake electors as Attorney General. There is no mystery about what happened here. The fake electors videotaped their crime for all to see. Arizona needs a #LawyerForThePeople. https://t.co/rH64dvM7BN
Jacobs submitted his second donation to Mayes’ campaign the day after an Arizona Republic article emerged highlighting the differences between her and then-opponent (now congressman) Abe Hamadeh.
Yes indeed. And I am looking forward to being your Attorney General as a #LawyerForThePeople — not Trump. Abe Hamadeh and Kris Mayes display stark differences in Arizona attorney general race https://t.co/gALqWJCtY1
A source that observed the emergency hearing described Jacobs as “hostile” to the electors. During oral arguments, the conflict of interest was raised, however, Jacbos still voted on an issue in the case, the decision to grant a stay.
Last month, Maricopa County Judge Sam Myers ruled the 2020 electors, 16 in total, provided sufficient evidence that Mayes’ case against them may be dismissable for violating Arizona’s Anti-SLAPP law.
Anti-SLAPP, or “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” imposes civil liability against any state actor that brings or maintains a legal action substantially motivated by a desire to deter, retaliation against, or prevent free speech and association.
Myers said the 2020 electors demonstrated their actions to comprise “at least in part some arguably lawful speech.” Myers cited Mayes’ remarks announcing the indictments as potential proof of a political motivation behind her prosecution.
Mayes disagreed with the ruling. The attorney general said the 2020 creation of an alternate elector slate didn’t constitute free speech and shouldn’t be afforded constitutional protections.
“It is not the lawful exercise of free speech to file forged slates of electors to deprive Arizona voters of their right to vote,” said Mayes.
In order to counter Myers’ ruling, Mayes had to prove in a brief due earlier this week that she wasn’t motivated by a desire to retaliate or deter the 2020 electors’ free speech rights.
The outcome of that motion to dismiss the case remains pending.
Myers did deny motions to dismiss Mayes’ case last week, however. The motions claimed Mayes lacked authority to bring the case to court and failed to allege crimes committed.
Last November, the first judge on the case, Bruce Cohen, recused himself after emails emerged in which he ordered his fellow judges to come to the defense of then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
The defendants in the case include former AZGOP Chair Dr. Kelli Ward, Dr. Michael Ward, former executive director of the AZGOP Greg Safsten, former Arizona State Senator Anthony Kern, former Senate Candidate Jim Lamon, former Cochise County Republican Committee chair Robert Montgomery, former Cochise County Republican Committee chair Samuel Moorhead, Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman, Turning Point USA COO Tyler Bowyer, and attorneys John Eastman, Rudy Giuliani, Christina Bobb, as well as President Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Campaign Aide Boris Epshteyn, and director of Election Day operations Mike Roman.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Major General Kerry Muehlenbeck, the Arizona Adjutant General, will step down from commanding the Arizona National Guard and Department of Emergency and Military Affairs in June, according to Governor Katie Hobbs’ office. General Muehlenbeck was appointed to office in 2021 by then-Governor Doug Ducey.
“It has been an honor to serve as Arizona’s Adjutant General,” Major General Muehlenbeck said in a statement. “To be able to work alongside dedicated men and women, both in and out of uniform, in service to Arizona and the nation is a privilege beyond measure. I appreciate the trust of Governor Hobbs, Governor Ducey, and both their teams. I will always value their commitment to protecting the citizens of Arizona.”
Speaking with the Arizona Capitol Times, she explained that the time has come for her to return to her previous vocation: teaching criminal justice studies at Mesa Community College. According to the outlet, federal law requires civilian employers to hold a member of the military’s job for up to five years while they serve. Major General Muehlenbeck’s five years are up this year.
Muehlenbeck described her working relationship with both Republican and Democrat governors, telling the Arizona Capitol Times, “In the military, you don’t take any of the decisions personally. You’re there to provide your best military advice.” Muehlenbeck continued, “And if I don’t agree inside the room where we’re having discussions, as soon as we walk out of the door, then that decision is the best one we could have made.”
Governor Katie Hobbs released a statement on Monday saying, “I am grateful to Major General Muehlenbeck for her service to the people of Arizona. She is a valued member of my cabinet who is dedicated to fostering public safety across the state. Under her leadership, the Arizona National Guard launched Task Force SAFE, a critical ongoing effort that is preventing dangerous drugs from entering our state. In addition, the Division of Emergency Management and Arizona National Guard embarked on one of its largest rescue missions to date, evacuating more than 100 people when devastating floods swept through Havasupai. I wish Major General Muehlenbeck the best in her future endeavors.”
Hobbs musts now nominate a replacement for General Muehlenbeck, but any nomination will face heavy scrutiny from the Republican-led Arizona Senate Committee on Director Nominations led by Arizona Senator Jake Hoffman. Chairman Hoffman was clear that the decision on any nominee would come down to capability.
“We’re in an age where we want our military men and women, whether that’s the Guard or whether that’s the Marines or the Army, we want them to be the most efficient, effective fighting force possible,” Hoffman said. “Woke ideology of the politicization of our men and women will be an automatic death knell for any Hobbs nominee for this important post.”
