Well, it was more than a guess, it was an endorsement. A full 86% of CAP Action endorsements won their 2024 races. This means a majority of Arizona’s new political leaders share many of CAP Action’s values.
In 2025, Republicans will have a slightly increased majority in both the state House and Senate. Currently, Republicans lead in each by one. Next year, there will be 17 Republicans to 13 Democrats in the Senate and 33 Republicans to 27 Democrats in the House.
The same Arizona electorate that put unregulated and unrestricted abortion “rights” in our State Constitution elected one of the more conservative legislative bodies in recent history. Arizonans voted pro-abortion on Proposition 139 then voted for pro-life candidates in key swing state legislative and federal congressional races.
While we continue to lament the defeat of Prop 139, we are thankful for a Legislature that grew more conservative and did not “flip” to leftist control.
At this writing, only a handful of votes remain to be counted. Approximately 77.5% of Arizona registered voters cast their ballot. The remaining votes will not be sufficient to change any current outcomes.
Strong Leadership Matters
Arizona Senate
- President Warren Petersen will continue to lead the Senate
- Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Janae Shamp
- Senate Majority Whip: Sen. Frank Carroll
- Senate President Pro Tempore: Sen. T.J. Shope
Arizona House
- House Speaker: Rep. Steve Montenegro
- Majority Leader: Rep. Michael Carbone
- Majority Whip: Rep. Julie Willoughby
These strong conservative leaders in the House and Senate will keep the caucus together and focused on priorities. President Petersen and Speaker-elect Montenegro have years-long history of standing in defense of unborn children and their mothers. Further, these leaders have voting records to support educational freedom, parental rights, and religious freedom.
Senate Committee Chairs
Senate President Petersen has appointed Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to each committee. See that list here. These appointments matter because the Chair decides what bills are heard in committee and which bills will never be considered.
The House Chairmen have not yet been announced.
Although lawmakers face a veto ready Governor Katie Hobbs, this is said to be the most conservative legislature in Arizona’s recent history. Senate President Petersen posted “The media got something right. This is the most conservative legislature in history. We will continue to deliver a conservative agenda that will protect liberty and promote prosperity.”
Save our Schools activists who fight every year to take away parental choice in education also noted the conservative direction of the state Legislature. They sent out this email to supporters in lament of failing to flip the Legislature to Democrat control. They were hoping to have a majority of lawmakers they could count on to strip Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) from parents, forcing students back into public education. The email included dire warnings, including, “This week’s setbacks cannot be overstated. Our public schools and our democracy are at great risk … advancing policies to help our students, including public education funding, voucher reform, protections for LGBTQ students, and commonsense gun reform, are most likely out of reach.” They did however celebrate their wins in many of the school board races throughout the state.
Successful Endorsements
A full 86% of CAP Action endorsed candidates won their races. See here CAP Action endorsements.
Planning for the 2025 legislative session is already underway and I will keep you informed as plans develop.
ICYMI:
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