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

In a significant development following the recent elections, Arizona’s legislative Republicans have solidified their leadership team. Warren Petersen was re-elected as Senate president, while Steve Montenegro was chosen as the new speaker of the House during a closed-door vote on Tuesday.

Montenegro, a seasoned legislator and former majority leader from Goodyear, steps into the role previously held by Ben Toma, who faced term limits after an unsuccessful Congressional bid. Notably, Montenegro, of Salvadoran descent, will be the first Hispanic speaker in Arizona’s history. He emphasized the responsibility he feels in his new position. “Together, we have a strong mandate from Arizonans to advance policies that uphold our principles and protect our values,” he stated.

However, Montenegro’s career hasn’t been without controversy. In 2017, he was involved in a sexting scandal with an Arizona Senate staffer, which included the sharing of explicit photos. Despite admitting to the exchanges, he asserted he did nothing wrong, insisting it was a personal matter. At that time, he was competing for a Congressional seat, which he ultimately lost.

Currently, Republicans maintain a narrow majority in both legislative chambers, retaining only a one-seat lead. Following the elections, they are on track to expand their Senate majority from 16 to 17 seats and increase their House representation from 31 to 33 seats. These shifts bolster their legislative power despite Democrats aiming to regain control.

In addition to Montenegro, House Republicans have elected Rep. Michael Carbone of Buckeye as majority leader and Rep. Julie Willoughby of Chandler as majority whip. Carbone has served since 2023, while Willoughby took office this year after the controversial resignation of GOP Rep. Liz Harris.

On the Democratic side, House members promoted Assistant Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos, representing Phoenix, to lead their caucus. In his acceptance, he expressed a commitment to championing public education and fighting against extremism. De Los Santos was first elected in 2022 and aims to serve working-class Arizonans effectively.

The Senate Republicans, meanwhile, chose to retain Petersen as their leader for a second term, highlighting their conservative agenda. Petersen, a long-serving legislator, expressed gratitude for his colleagues’ support and reaffirmed intentions to focus on policies favoring educational opportunities and border security while lowering taxes.

In the Senate Democratic caucus, Priya Sundareshan of Tucson was elected minority leader. Recognized for her outspoken nature, Sundareshan called for collaboration despite the broader Republican majority, stressing a commitment to representing vulnerable populations and future generations.

Arizona’s legislative session is poised to commence on January 13, marking the beginning of this newly established leadership dynamic.