Only 8 of 90 Lawmakers Maintain Unblemished Attendance Record

As the legislative session approaches its conclusion, only a select group of lawmakers are in contention for perfect attendance.

Eight members of the 90-member Arizona Legislature remain eligible for this distinction, based on the latest attendance records. Among them, only one is from the Senate: Sen. Hildy Angius, R-Bullhead City. She has maintained a perfect record from January 13 to May 7, attending the session on May 28 as well.

The remaining eligible lawmakers are all Republican House members: Reps. Lupe Diaz, R-Benson; Lisa Fink, R-Glendale; Nick Kupper, R-Surprise; Tony Rivero, R-Peoria; Michael Way, R-Queen Creek; Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler; and Speaker Steve Montenegro, R-Goodyear. Rep. James Taylor, R-Litchfield Park, was also on track until he missed a day on June 4.

Conversely, Rep. Anna Abeytia, D-Phoenix, has amassed the most absences this session, with a total of 17. This equates to more than half a month of missed days, leaving her with the least presence in the 60-member House. Notably, 15 of her absences were excused by Speaker Montenegro.

Abeytia cites her two-year-old child’s frequent illnesses as the primary reason for her absences. “I will always be a mother first, so when my child is sick, I stay home with her,” she stated.

In addition to attendance issues, Abeytia is under scrutiny by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission due to late campaign finance reports, including a $48,000 expenditure from Clean Elections funds to her fiancé’s consulting firm. During an April meeting, she clarified that the funds were for vendor services such as mailers and other campaign materials.

The House recorded its attendance for the session from January through May 20 and noted that June 4 was the only additional session day since then. Presence in the House is recorded if a member is present on the floor at any point during a session day.

Among House Republicans, Rep. Joe Chaplik has the least number of present days, attending 56 out of 67 session days, with 11 absences, of which nine were excused. His attendance record places him just behind Abeytia and Rep. Stacey Travers, D-Tempe, who has been present for 54 days despite having 13 excused absences.

In the Senate, no members recorded any unexcused absences. Sens. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, and Rosanna Gabaldón, D-Green Valley, have the highest number of excused absences at 10 each. Gabaldón attended 48 sessions, while Hoffman attended 41, with Hoffman having a record of nine instances where he was late yet still voted.

Other senators have also exhibited varied attendance records. Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, D-Tucson, was present 37 times, tallying 14 late excuses and nine absences. Meanwhile, Sens. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, and Carine Werner, R-Scottsdale, both came close to perfect attendance, missing only one session day.

Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, leads Senate Democrats with 56 days present and four excused late arrivals. In the House, Reps. Betty Villegas, D-Tucson; Aaron Márquez, D-Phoenix; Chris Mathis, D-Tucson; and Quantá Crews, D-Phoenix, each missed only two days. Reps. Sarah Liguori, D-Phoenix, and Lorena Austin, D-Mesa, have also exhibited strong attendance but missed one day each without an excuse.