3 Arizona State Directors Dismissed After Senate Snub

PHOENIX – Significant shifts in Arizona’s state agency leadership were announced as three key directors will not have their nominations confirmed following pushback from the Republican-controlled Senate. Governor Katie Hobbs’ office confirmed that these changes affect the directors of the Department of Child Safety, Department of Veteran Services, and Department of Environmental Quality.

Christian Slater, a spokesman for Hobbs, stated that the governor will submit new nominees for Senate consideration when the legislature reconvenes in early 2025. This development arises from a recent court ruling that deemed Hobbs’ attempt to sidestep confirmation hearings by appointing nominees as “deputy executive directors” illegal. The Senate had previously challenged these appointments after the governor withdrew all her nominations in September 2023.

The directors affected—David Lujan, Dana Allmond, and Karen Peters—had been serving since early 2023. They will remain in their agencies as deputy directors while interim leadership has been assigned, with Ben Henderson taking charge at the Departments of Child Safety and Environmental Quality and John Scott leading the Veteran’s Affairs Department.

Looking ahead, the political landscape could alter if Democrats gain a Senate majority in the upcoming elections. Republican Senate President Warren Petersen has aggressively reshaped the confirmation process, appointing Jake Hoffman from the Arizona Freedom Caucus to helm the new committee overseeing nominations.

Hoffman has expressed scrutiny over many of Hobbs’ appointees, criticizing their qualifications and political stances. As a result, only six of Hobbs’ nominees received confirmation before the cancellation of the remaining nominations. Several others were unable to advance past committee hearings, reflecting a contentious relationship between the governor and the Senate.

Following the recent court judgment, Petersen indicated that forthcoming hearings would be prompt and fair, promising to support good nominations while dismissing those that do not meet standards. However, Hoffman emphasized that his questioning would not solely focus on qualifications but also probe into nominees’ political ideologies.

Lujan, former head of the Department of Child Safety, has been in the spotlight due to the department’s history and oversight issues. Created in response to a scandal involving child abuse investigations, the agency continues to face criticism for its operation, prompting some legislators to demand more stringent controls.

Meanwhile, Peters of the Department of Environmental Quality was subject to intense scrutiny, with key questions posed about adopting California-style environmental policies, which she never had the opportunity to address in a hearing due to her nomination’s rejection.

Allmond’s appointment came under question after Hobbs terminated the previous director, raising concerns in the veteran community, particularly regarding political affiliations within leadership roles. Despite the challenges faced by Lujan, Allmond, and Peters, Joan Serviss, head of the Housing Department, remains in her position and will be renominated despite past rejection, indicating the ongoing complexities of agency leadership politics in Arizona.