Petersen and Montenegro Set to Steer Arizona Legislature’s Empowered GOP Majority

Arizona’s legislative Republicans solidified their leadership positions following the recent elections, retaining Warren Petersen as Senate president and electing Steve Montenegro as House speaker during a closed-door vote on Tuesday.

Montenegro, hailing from Goodyear and a former majority leader, will replace Ben Toma, who faced term limits after his unsuccessful congressional bid. Notably, Montenegro, of Salvadoran descent, marks a historic milestone as the state’s first Hispanic House speaker. He emphasized a commitment to advancing policies that enhance economic growth and uphold Arizona’s core values.

Upon his election, Montenegro stated, “I am deeply honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me.” He added, “Together, we have a strong mandate from Arizonans.”

Montenegro’s past includes a 2017 sexting scandal involving explicit messages exchanged with an Arizona Senate staffer. He admitted to sharing texts and receiving a topless photo but insisted that he did nothing wrong at that time, which affected his previous aspirations for a congressional seat.

Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority in both legislative chambers. Early projections suggest they may expand their grip, with expectations to move from a 16-14 majority in the Senate to 17-13, and from 31-29 in the House to 33-27.

In addition to Montenegro, House Republicans appointed Rep. Michael Carbone of Buckeye as majority leader and Rep. Julie Willoughby of Chandler as majority whip. Carbone has served in Legislative District 25 since 2023, while Willoughby replaced the controversial Liz Harris in May 2023.

House Democrats elected Oscar De Los Santos of Phoenix as their caucus leader. In his acceptance, he declared, “It’s an honor to be chosen to lead this outstanding caucus.” He also vowed to combat extremism effectively.

The Democratic leadership further expanded with Nancy Gutierrez from Tucson as assistant minority leader and Reps. Quantá Crews and Stacey Travers taking on roles as minority whips.

Senate Republicans confirmed Petersen’s position as president for a second term, recognizing his extensive experience since first being elected in 2012. He expressed gratitude for his colleagues’ confidence, touting the legislative body as the “most conservative legislature in history.”

Petersen laid out ambitious plans including tax reductions, securing borders, and enhancing educational opportunities. He also reiterated support for President-elect Donald Trump’s education policy reforms.

Sen. T.J. Shope of Coolidge will remain Senate president pro tem, a position he has held for two sessions. New appointments include Sen. Janae Shamp of Surprise as majority leader and Sen. Frank Carroll of Sun City West as majority whip.

Senate Democrats elected Priya Sundareshan of Tucson as their minority leader, charged with leading the caucus through a challenging period ahead. She remarked, “The fight ahead will be uphill, and the work will be hard,” highlighting a need for bipartisan cooperation despite the Republicans’ enhanced majority.

Additional Democratic appointments include Sen. Flavio Bravo as assistant minority leader, Rosanna Gabaldón as minority whip, and Lela Alston as minority caucus chair. The upcoming legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 13.