(The Center Square) – Senate President Warren Petersen announced committee leadership for the upcoming legislative session on Tuesday, shortly following leadership elections.
Notably, the Senate is bringing back the return of the Committee on Federalism, which was previously known as the Federalism, Mandates and Fiscal Responsibility Committee. Senator Elect Mark Finchem will helm the committee with Senator Elect Hildy Angius as vice-chair.
The Committee on Military & Border will be chaired by Sen. David Gowan, who hails from the border community of Sierra Vista, and majority leader Janae Shamp, who has been a staunch supporter of tougher border policies including making illegal immigration a state crime, a provision which passed with Proposition 314 this month.
Education will be led by Sen. David Farnsworth and vice-chaired by Senator Elect Carine Werner. Werner currently serves as a Scottsdale Unified School District governing board member who won a tough race against incumbent Democrat Sen. Christine Marsh, a former public school teacher. The race in the more affluent Phoenix area district focused largely on the universal Empowerment Scholarship Account program, which Republicans have said they intend to keep.
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope will lead the committee on natural resources.
“For 10 of the last 12 years, I’ve served on a version of a House or Senate Natural Resources Committee. To lead it, is something I consider an honor,” Shope tweeted. “I’m Pinal County born & bred and I will always keep my constituents and the agriculture & mining communities I represent at the forefront.”
Sen. John Kavanagh will lead Appropriations, Sen. J.D. Mesnard will chair Finance, Sen. Wendy Rogers will chair Judiciary and Elections, Sen. Jake Hoffman will chair Government, and Senator Elect Kevin Payne will chair public safety, and Sen. Shawnna Bolick will chair Regulatory Affairs.
The committee picks underscore a likely expanded majority in the Arizona State Senate, as former Sen. Vince Leach is expected to win his comeback bid to the chamber but it is still too close to call. On the House side, the Republicans expanded its majority by two seats. Democrats were hoping to grow their numbers in order to promote a legislative agenda with Gov. Katie Hobbs, but a national “red wave” had ripple effects up and down the ticket in the Grand Canyon State.
“The fight ahead will be uphill and the work will be hard. I am confident that along with my newly elected leadership team, we will deliver the very best possible for the people of Arizona,” newly chosen Senate Democratic Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan stated on Tuesday.
“While Republicans have expanded their majority, it is paramount that we communicate and provide a better, bipartisan pathway forward,” she added.
