Arizona Republicans Triumph in Crucial House and Senate Contests Across Swing Districts

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona Republicans achieved notable victories in competitive districts during the recent election, solidifying their grip on the state legislature. Heading into the 2024 General Election, Republicans held a fragile control of legislative seats amidst significant Democratic investment aimed at flipping chambers.

In a surprising turn, Republicans not only retained control but may have also expanded their representation. As most ballots have been counted, the current composition reflects this potential growth. Key wins included District 2, where Republican Senator Shawnna Bolick defeated Democrat Judy Schwiebert by nearly four percentage points.

Bolick commented on her victory, expressing gratitude to supporters and volunteers. “I am fortunate to have had helping hands for our postcard writing campaigns and voter outreach efforts. Thank you to everyone who helped us maximize our efforts,” she stated.

District 4 showcased a significant shift as Republican newcomer Carine Werner unseated incumbent Democrat Senator Christine Marsh, winning by over 3.5%. Werner credited her success to hard work and listening to constituents. “This election is about all of us and the future of our state,” she declared, promising to approach legislation with integrity and accountability.

Incumbent Republican Matt Gress secured his second term, easily winning reelection in his district. Running mate Pamela Carter also claimed victory in a tightly contested race against Democrat Kelli Butler, winning by a narrow margin. Gress expressed gratitude for the community’s support and emphasized a campaign focused on common-sense solutions rather than negativity.

Carter celebrated her win, thanking her supporters and including a reference to President Trump. Her enthusiasm reflected the optimism among Republican candidates following the election outcomes.

In District 13, Republican Senator J.D. Mesnard retained his seat distinctly, while fellow Republicans Jeff Weninger and Julie Willoughby swept both House positions, with Weninger marking his return after a hiatus. He addressed the out-of-state funding against him and reaffirmed the district’s preference for genuine engagement over external influence.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate Vince Leach maintained a slight lead of roughly 1,500 votes over Democrat John McLean in District 17. In District 23, incumbent state Representative Michele Peña secured another term, reinforcing Republican presence in the legislature.

As of now, Republicans appear poised to hold 17 of 30 Senate seats and 33 of 60 House seats, though thousands of votes remain to be counted.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.