(The Center Square) – There will be eight new faces in Arizona’s state Senate and one seat has flipped Republican. Here are Arizona’s new state senators:
Legislative District 1
LD 1 remained a Republican-led district with Mark Finchem claiming Sen. Ken Benett’s seat. Finchem won July’s primary election against Bennett by 8,304 votes and then went on to run against Democrat Mike Fogel, sweeping the election with 65.9% of the votes.
“Thank you, Legislative District 1, for this incredible victory,” Finchem said in a post on X. “You voted your values and sent a clear message: action, not more empty words, is what matters most.”
Finchem served in the Arizona legislature for four terms before running for Arizona Secretary of State, but lost to Adrian Fontes. Finchem has stated that the 2022 election was “mired in controversy” and has since led the Election Fairness Institute to examine election processes.
Legislative District 4
Democratic Incumbent Christine Marsh lost her seat in LD 4 to Republican Carine Werner. The two-term incumbent conceded to Werner.
“I knew this would be my toughest race,” Marsh said in a statement. “And I am proud of my accomplishments at the State Legislature. I was able to work across the aisle with colleagues who cared as I do about funding our schools, protecting reproductive health care, solving at least one water crisis, and meeting the needs of our transportation system.”
The race was close with Werner winning the election with 51.9% of the votes. Werner has served as an elected member of the Scottsdale Unified School District and education has been a big part of her campaign, prioritizing increasing teacher pay and creating transparency for parents.
Legislative District 8
Lauren Kuby has filled Juan Mendez’s vacated seat, keeping LD 8 Democratic. Kuby won the general election against Republican Roxana Holzapfel by 18,583 votes. Kuby has previously been involved in Tempe local politics, serving as a former council member and vice mayor.
Kuby has long worked to address environmental issues and protect consumers and workers.
“As a Tempe councilmember, she led efforts for social, economic, environmental, and racial justice, including climate action, equal pay, earned sick days, affordable housing, animal welfare, urban forestry, transparency, and campaign-finance reform,” reads Kuby’s website. “She spearheaded a dark-money ballot initiative, garnering 91.44% support from Tempe voters.”
Legislative District 17
Vince Leach, who has formerly served as senator for LD 11, took incumbent Justine Wadsack’s seat, maintaining LD 17’s Republican control. Leach’s Democratic opponent in the general election was killed shortly after the election in an unrelated car accident. Leach has given his condolences for the passing of John McLean.
According to the unofficial results, Leach won the race by only 3,045 votes. Additionally, Leach won the race against Wadsack in the primary election by 1,954 votes.
Legislative District 24
Former Rep. Analise Ortiz claimed a seat in LD 24 uncontested, claiming Anna Hernandez’s vacated seat and keeping LD 24 Democratic.
Legislative District 25
Former Rep. Tim Dunn will be filling Sine Kerr’s vacated seat in the senate, maintaining a Republican majority in LD 25. Dunn ran uncontested in both the primary and general elections.
Legislative District 27
LD 27 will stay Republican with former Rep. Kevin Payne claiming the open seat that was previously held by Anthony Kern.
Legislative District 30
Hildy Angius swept the general election beating Democratic candidate J’aime Morgaine with 78.5% of the votes. Angius is filling the open seat that has been held by Majority Leader Sonny Borelli.
Angius has represented District 2 on the Mohave County Board of Supervisors since 2012. Angius has spent her time on the board advocating for rural Arizona, going up against federal and state agencies.
