Arizona House Speaker Showdown: Prioritizing People or Peddling Influence?

By Merissa Hamilton |

Arizona’s newly elected legislators are heading to office with a decisive message from voters: they must prioritize the people over outside interests. Tomorrow, November 12th, at 9 a.m., legislators will cast a SECRET vote to select their leadership. This choice is critical as it will shape the policies and direction of the chambers for the coming term.

Leadership positions, including the Speaker of the House and the Senate President, wield significant influence over the legislative agenda. The grassroots movement is pushing for leaders who will prioritize transparency and accountability over traditional lobbyist influences. Senate President Warren Petersen has been noted for transforming staff dynamics and curbing unchecked executive authority. His leadership has garnered voter support, reflected in increased Republican majorities in both chambers.

In the House, candidates for Speaker include Joe Chaplik, Leo Biasiucci, and Steve Montenegro. Chaplik, representing LD3, has a solid grassroots backing and previously narrowly lost a bid for Speaker in 2022. His experience as a businessman and member of the Arizona Freedom Caucus positions him as a strong advocate for parental rights in schools, particularly in the recent push against mask mandates. With a perfect score on the Arizona Free Enterprise Club scorecard, Chaplik emphasizes government efficiency through a limited bill agenda.

Biasiucci, currently the Majority Leader and representing LD30, has been active since 2020. His background spans various roles, including leadership in the House Victory PAC, although specific details about his legislative achievements remain sparse. His Free Enterprise Club score stands at 84%.

Montenegro, in LD29 since 2023, has faced scrutiny for past controversies. His previous legislative tenure from 2008 to 2017 involved a failed Congressional run, marked by personal scandals. He has recently advocated for policies like the National Popular Vote initiative, raising concerns among some constituents. Despite these issues, he holds a lifetime score of 91% on the Free Enterprise Club scorecard.

Legislative performance offers insight into candidates’ effectiveness. Montenegro’s efforts this session yielded a low passage rate for his bills, while Biasiucci had a slightly better outcome. Nonetheless, both contenders faced challenges from Governor Hobbs’ vetoes. Chaplik’s strategic focus on fewer, significant bills highlights his commitment to effective governance and reflects his belief that the House’s current management contributes to legislative chaos.

Chaplik also proposes returning to a 100-day session, aligning with constitutional guidelines. This approach aims to streamline budgeting processes and counteract potential gridlock. By emphasizing the budget as the primary legislative goal, he envisions restoring power to the legislature and benefiting constituents.

The upcoming vote will set a crucial precedent, reflecting lawmakers’ true commitment to representing the public’s interests versus catering to lobbyist agendas. Voters should insist on visibility regarding their legislators’ choices in the Speaker election, reinforcing the imperative of transparency in governance.

A recent analysis of social media sentiments indicates strong grassroots support for Chaplik. As legislators prepare to vote, constituents deserve to know who will lead the Arizona House and whether their representatives are in tune with the people’s will.

Merissa Hamilton is the founder of the nonpartisan nonprofit Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona, focusing on civic education and engagement. She serves on the Arizona Republican Party and has previously run for local office.