With votes continuing to be tabulated in Arizona, Republicans appear to be tracking toward a return to power in one or both of the chambers in the state legislature.
Over the past two years, Arizona Republicans have narrowly controlled the state House and Senate, giving them the ability to hold Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs in check. Both major political parties poured significant resources into competitive seats over the past year to wrestle a majority for the next legislative session.
As of Wednesday night, Republicans are leading in 16 of the 30 contests for State Senate. Two of those races – District 2 (Shawnna Bolick) and District 4 (Carine Werner) are currently within 2,000 votes. Of the 14 seats that Democrats are leading, three – District 9 (Eva Burch), District 17 (John McLean), and District 23 (Brian Fernandez) – are also within 2,000 votes at this time.
On the House of Representatives side, as of Wednesday night, Republicans are leading in 32 of the 60 contests. Democrats have an advantage in the other 28 races. Results in District 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 17, and 23 may be fluid in the coming days with additional votes being factored in the candidate’s respective favor.
Control of the legislature is vital to the agenda of the next two years, when Governor Hobbs will be facing re-election and working to enact more of her policy directives to demonstrate her value to the state. Should Democrats manage to win a majority of both the state House and Senate, Hobbs and her legislative allies would be able to pass left-leaning priorities and sign those into law. One of these targets would be the historic Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, which has been under tremendous scrutiny and criticism by Hobbs and other Democrats since it was expanded during Republican Governor Doug Ducey’s administration a few years ago.
The winners of the campaigns for state House and Senate will be sworn in for the new legislative session in early January.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A Republican lawmaker is making recommendations for voters in key ballot measures for the state of Arizona.
In the most recent Arizona Senate Republicans’ newsletter, state Senator Shawnna Bolick released a statement in support of propositions that her party in both legislative chambers had passed for voters’ review in the upcoming election.
Bolick said, “We are just days away from a crucial election that will help determine the future of Arizona and our nation. Republicans at the Legislature spent tireless hours working to provide voters with the opportunity to have the final say on the key issues our state is facing. Despite Democrats voting ‘no’ on our proposals, we voted in support of sending Propositions 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 311, 312, 313, 314, and 315 to the ballot.”
She added, “Included is the ‘Secure the Border Act’ (314), which would provide law enforcement the authority to arrest illegal border crossers to keep our communities safe after the Governor vetoed our original bills to address the crisis. Also, the ‘Children Are Not For Sale’ measure (313) would protect children from sex trafficking by deterring this evil practice with a life imprisonment sentence for the offenders. Make your voices heard! Send in your ballot no later than October 29, or vote in person on November 5- just be prepared for lines.”
Arizona’s ballot propositions haven’t been the focus of many polls – at least publicly available ones, though Noble Predictive Insights had released results from a survey in early September, showing that Prop 314 was receiving 63% support for passage.
The veteran legislator is fighting to retain her seat in the state Senate in next week’s election. Bolick faces a stiff challenge from Democrat state Representative Judy Schwiebert for Legislative District 2, which is one of the most competitive across Arizona, with a 3.8% vote spread in the past nine statewide elections. It is very winnable for Republicans, however, as the party has emerged victorious in six out of those nine elections.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
State officials are making the case for voters to support a ballot measure that would drastically increase protections for children currently, or who may later be, under the heinous scourge of sex trafficking in Arizona.
Recently, Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp urged voters to vote yes on Proposition 313 in the upcoming November Election.
If passed by voters, Proposition 313 would “require that a person convicted of a Class 2 Felony for child sex trafficking be sentenced to imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for natural life without the possibility of release.” According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, “The current sentencing ranges are between 7 years and natural life imprisonment without the possibility of release, depending on the age of the victim, the defendant’s criminal history, and other factors.”
Last week, Shamp shared a post from President Donald J. Trump’s ‘War Room’ account that detailed the dangers of sex trafficking of minors. The post revealed that these acts are “becoming the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the United States,” and that “this horrifying reality” was the result “of Kamala Harris’ open border.”
Sex trafficking of minors is becoming the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the United States.
"The reality of the situation is that ordering sex trafficking victims is just as simple as ordering pizza."
This measure was referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature earlier this year. State Senator Shawnna Bolick spearheaded the effort as part of her persistent efforts to protect innocent children around Arizona. Writing about the importance of this measure, Bolick said, “Every two minutes a child from the United States is trafficked for the sole purpose of human exploitation. According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the average age of entry into sex trafficking is 14 years old. Traffickers steal our children as young as five years old to sell them into a life of misery and despair.”
Bolick added, “These adolescents lose everything to be thrown into the sex trade business. They are removed from their families and often sold over and over and forced to perform unspeakable acts. With the rise of social media and internet capabilities, these innocent children often have an internet presence against their own will, where predators share and sell their images and videos repeatedly across the Dark Web…. Your YES vote on Proposition 313 will protect children from sexual exploitation. Our neighbor’s daughter or son needs your YES vote for protection.”
Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, the President of the Arizona Sheriff Association, also lent his voice to supporting this ballot measure. He stated, “Currently, when caught, the people who traffic these children face prison sentences that do not match the crime. But now, with Prop. 313, these monsters can meet true justice when apprehended and convicted in an Arizona court of law. The sheriffs across Arizona fully support the simplicity of Prop. 313 – convicted of 2nd-degree felony child sex trafficking and face a lifetime in an Arizona prison cell with no opportunity for an early release.”
Pinal County Mark Lamb weighed in, saying, “A yes vote on Prop 313 means you are willing to protect our kids and give our law enforcement the tools needed to hold sex traffickers accountable for their actions. Help us to send a strong message to those who wish to exploit the most vulnerable populations that our children are not for sale.”
Senator Shamp also appeared at a town hall in Maricopa County with national advocate Riley Gaines and other speakers. She and the other ladies on the panel promoted Proposition 313 and urged attendees to help send a message to perpetrators that “no child is for sale in Arizona or throughout America.”
Arizona Republicans highlighted a questionable appearance by a controversial figure on behalf of swing-district legislative Democrats.
Last week, Jane Fonda landed in Phoenix to appear with State Senator Christine Marsh and her other running mates for the critical Legislative District 4.
Karen Gresham, who is running for State House of Representatives, posted, “Climate change is on the ballot and Jane Fonda is in town! Here she is helping Kelli Butler, Christine Marsh and me launch our first canvass of this all-important weekend. Let’s Get Out the Vote.”
Arizona Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope immediately called out the trio of Democrats for this association with Fonda, writing, “I didn’t have Dems campaigning with Hanoi Jane on my bingo card but, here we are. Just another example that AZ Democrats are too extreme and too far left to be given the levers of power in Arizona.”
I didn’t have Dems campaigning with Hanoi Jane on my bingo card but, here we are. Just another example that AZ Democrats are too extreme and too far left to be given the levers of power in Arizona. @AZGOP#DontCaliforniaMyArizonahttps://t.co/AiwkhFa6mF
State Representative Quang Nguyen added, “Jane fonda??? Isn’t she the jerk sitting at the NVA anti-aircraft guns yucking it up about shooting down American aircrafts during the VN War? Now I know where you all stand. Disgusting!!!”
Jane fonda??? Isn’t she the jerk sitting at the NVA anti-aircraft guns yucking it up about shooting down American aircrafts during the VN War? Now I know where you all stand. Disgusting!!! https://t.co/d0KboNYCiB
Fonda also appeared at a Legislative District 2 rally, helping other vulnerable Democrats get out the vote. Democrat Judy Schwiebert is running for state Senate in this district. Both Marsh and Schwiebert did not appear to post about Fonda’s appearance on their X accounts.
Republican consultant Constantin Querard opined on Fonda’s assistance for these Democrats. He said, “Pretty much abandoning the moderate label and going full Fonda is interesting. Going hard left at this late stage suggests your effort is more about turning out your base instead of growing it. Imagine building your brand around celebrities famous for being so anti-American?”
Pretty much abandoning the moderate label and going full Fonda is interesting. Going hard left at this late stage suggests your effort is more about turning out your base instead of growing it. Imagine building your brand around celebrities famous for being so anti-American? #LD4https://t.co/PdPJjUwcu5
Meanwhile, Schwiebert’s Republican opponent for the all-important state Senate seat, incumbent Shawnna Bolick, contrasted her actions and activities with her rival’s. She wrote, “While my leftwing general election opponent was chumming it up with Hanoi Jane – the same Jane Fonda who hung out with North Vietnamese troops atop an anti-aircraft gun being used to target American planes in 1972, I was being recognized by the Arizona Conservative Policy Alliance Action Committee as the 2024 recipient of ‘Advocate for Arizona’s Youth’ for my work protecting our youth. One of the many pieces of legislation signed into law this session was my lemonade stand bill helping to protect youth entrepreneurs. Thank you to ACPA and my fellow award recipients in the West Valley.”
While my leftwing general election opponent was chumming it up with Hanoi Jane— the same Jane Fonda who hung out with North Vietnamese troops atop an anti-aircraft gun being used to target American planes in 1972, I was being recognized by the Arizona Conservative Policy Alliance… pic.twitter.com/8v6ZstD5LR
Senator Bolick faces a tough General Election fight in November for her bid to return to the Arizona Legislature for another two years. Arizona Legislative District 2 is one of the most competitive in the state, with a 3.8% vote spread in the past nine statewide elections. It is very winnable for Republicans, however, as the party has emerged victorious in six out of those nine elections.
Legislative District 4 is another competitive seat with a 3.4% vote spread between Republicans and Democrats in the past nine statewide elections, according to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Republicans have won five of those contests, compared to four for Democrats.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Last week, Arizona State Senator Shawnna Bolick issued a statement about economic calamities affecting families around her state.
Bolick said, “Since Kamala Harris and Joe Biden entered office, Arizona families have felt the weight of crippling inflation caused by their bad policies. In 2022, inflation hit its highest level in 40 years at 9%, and the price of every basic necessity skyrocketed. While the Federal Reserve reports inflation has since eased to near the target 2% threshold, and despite this month’s interest rate cut of 0.5%, conditions are not improving for hardworking Arizonans. Grocery store prices are 25% higher now than just before the pandemic. Homes are no longer affordable for our working class. Eviction filings have hit record highs in the Valley.”
Bolick added, “Republicans at the Legislature have made it our mission to lessen these burdens. We eliminated the tax renters pay on housing. We passed a ban on grocery taxes that sadly every Democrat voted against and the Governor vetoed. I vow to continue fighting for policies that will allow you to keep more of your money next legislative session.”
Last year, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1131, which Republicans led through the state legislature. This legislation eliminated the rental tax for Arizona tenants.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senate Republicans Deliver Inflation Relief to Struggling Arizonans by Prohibiting Sales Tax on Rent ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8tGzEhrJxj
According to Arizona Senate Republicans, “There are approximately 70 municipalities within our state charging this tax, while cities and towns continue to collect record revenues. From fiscal years 2019 to 2023, state-shared revenues from both sales and income taxes combined grew $733 million, or 59%. This increase is on top of any sales taxes or property taxes individually levied by each city. Between FY 2024 and FY 2025, those shared revenues are expected to grow by an additional $389 million.”
Senate President Warren Petersen issued the following statement in conjunction with the announcement: “Charging a rental tax is bad tax policy. In fact, Arizona is one of only two states in the nation currently allowing this. While our first attempt at eliminating the tax passed out of the Legislature with solely Republican support and was eventually vetoed by the Governor, we’re grateful our Democrat colleagues came to the table with us and realized the real tangible relief this reform will provide.”
Earlier that session, Hobbs vetoed SB 1063, which would have repealed the food municipal tax across the state.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Governor Continues Unwillingness to Help Arizonans Amid Crippling Inflation ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qwOJSxorOH
After the governor’s action against the Republican proposal, Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli said, “This veto is a disgraceful windfall for cities and an absolute gouge for families. We’re not only paying inflated prices to feed our families, but we’re also paying more in taxes as the cost of food rises. Food is not a luxury; it is a necessity. A tax on our groceries is regressive and hurts everyone. Over the next four fiscal years, cities and towns are estimated to receive an average of $2.3 billion per year in state-shared revenues, which is an increase of $844 million more than the average for the last four fiscal years. And yet the governor vetoed this bill, only padding cities’ bloated budgets instead of leaving more money in the wallets of hardworking taxpayers.”
Senator Bolick faces a tough General Election fight in November for her bid to return to the Arizona Legislature for another two years. Arizona Legislative District 2 is one of the most competitive in the state, with a 3.8% vote spread in the past nine statewide elections. It is very winnable for Republicans, however, as the party has emerged victorious in six out of those nine elections.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
