(The Center Square) – The Arizona state Legislature expanded its Republican majority during the November election, which could make it a slightly tougher road for Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs when it comes to dealmaking and getting through her own agenda.
The House will presumably have a 33-27 Republican lead and the Senate will likely have a 17-13 Republican majority. In the Senate, Sen.-Elect Carine Werner, R-Phoenix, flipped the seat from Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, in the highly competitive LD-4. Also in the district, Rep-Elect. Pamela Carter flipped the seat Republican, making both seats held by Republicans in the district.
In addition, Rep-Elect. Chris Lopez, R-Casa Grande, flipped the seat from Rep. Keith Seaman, D-Casa Grande.
As for Hobbs, she primarily focused on campaigning, as well as funding efforts, on legislative races as opposed to top-of-the-ticket races, like the presidential and United States Senate race beyond occasional appearances.
However, Hobbs said she’s looking forward in light of the somewhat rough election night.
“I am certainly focused on the future, not on the past. And as I said from the beginning I will work with the legislature that Arizona elects to continue to deliver for Arizonans,” Hobbs said at a media availability on Thursday after a reporter asked about the losses.
“And as I go across the state and I talk to everyday Arizonans, the things they’re concerned about are being safe in their communities, border security, lower costs for things like groceries, gas, housing, our water security, and protecting their freedoms like reproductive and voting rights,” she added.
Hobbs has faced a Republican majority since she took office, which resulted in a record number of vetos and an often contentious budget negotiation season. Notably, Democrats in the legislature gained a significant amount of attention during the repeal effort on an abortion ban law that never went into effect, after the Democrats and a small group of Republicans voted to get rid of the law.
“I worked with the legislature in the last two years to move forward on these issues. And this is the legislature elected by these everyday Arizonans. These are issues that are not Democratic or Republican issues. They’re Arizona issues, and I’m confident that we can continue to work to move forward on them,” Hobbs said.
Senate President Warren Petersen will continue as the leader of his chamber, and House Speaker Steve Montenegro replaced outgoing Rep. Ben Toma in the role of presiding over the 60-seat chamber.
“Out-of-state liberals and Katie Hobbs teamed up and came at us with everything they had,” the Arizona Senate Victory Fund PAC tweeted. “With your help, we fought back. Not only did we protect our Republican Majority in the Arizona State Senate, WE EXPANDED IT!”
