Arizona Legislature Remains Under Republican Control
Following the recent elections, Arizona’s state legislature continues to be dominated by Republicans, who have expanded their presence in both the House and the Senate. According to unofficial results, the GOP gained two additional seats in the House and one more in the Senate, further solidifying their control.
Prior to the elections, Democrats were on the cusp of achieving a “Democratic trifecta” by gaining control of the state legislature alongside the governor and other key offices. However, the results left them still in the minority, with Republicans holding a 33-17 majority in the House and a 17-13 majority in the Senate.
Shift Towards a More Conservative Legislature
The recent election results indicate a shift towards a more conservative legislative body. Notably, public education advocate and schoolteacher Sen. Christine Marsh was replaced by Carine Werner, who supports incorporating PragerU content in schools. Marsh expressed her disappointment in a concession statement, saying, “My only regret is that I wanted to accomplish so much more.”
Historically, Republicans have maintained control over Arizona’s legislature since the mid-1960s, with the governor’s office rarely seeing Democratic leadership, aside from brief periods.
Democratic Efforts and Challenges
The Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (ADLCC), formed in 2012 to challenge the Republican supermajority, has been working to gain legislative control. The committee managed to reduce the Republican supermajority but fell short of flipping the legislature in recent elections despite outspending Republicans in key races and achieving record-breaking fundraising.
House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos attributes some of the state’s challenges, such as public school funding and water resource management, to the long-standing Republican control. He emphasized the need for negotiation and compromise to address these issues effectively.
Impact on Legislative Sessions
With Republicans maintaining their majority, they have full control over legislative proceedings, including which bills are heard in committees. Democrats may find it challenging to advance their legislative agenda, as Republican-backed bills could face vetoes from Governor Katie Hobbs, who vetoed 216 such bills in her first two years in office.
Senate Minority Assistant Leader Flavio Bravo expressed concerns about potential power plays and self-serving policies from the Republican majority.
Looking ahead, the next legislative session in Arizona is set to begin on January 13, 2025. Voters can anticipate potential ballot referrals as a strategy for Republicans to bypass gubernatorial vetoes and present bills directly to the public.
Expectations for the Future
Democrats remain optimistic about future elections, with leaders like Oscar De Los Santos and Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan expressing determination to challenge the current legislative dynamics. Despite current setbacks, they aim to mount significant efforts to flip the legislature in upcoming elections.
