The Arizona State Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the US state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members each representing an average of 219,859 constituents (2009 figures). Members serve two-year terms with term limits that limit Senators to a maximum four consecutive terms (eight years) before requiring a one-term respite prior to running again. Members of the Republican Party are currently the majority in the Senate.
As with the Arizona House of Representatives, members to the Senate are elected from the same legislative districts as House members; however, one senator represents the constituency, while for the House there are two Representatives per district. This districting system is similar to those of the New Jersey, Idaho, and Washington State Senate. In political science, this type of legislative district is called a multi-member district.
Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal United States Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.
The Senate convenes in the adjacent legislative chambers at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix.
Leadership Unlike in other states, where an elected lieutenant governor presides over the senate, in Arizona, the Senate elects its own presiding officer, the president of the Senate, who presides over the body, appoints members to all of the Senate's committees and to joint committees, and may create other committees and subcommittees if desired. The Senate president also appoints a president pro tempore, who serves for the duration of a session of the legislature, to preside in their absence, and may appoint a temporary president pro tempore in the absence of the president and president pro tempore.
The current president of the Senate is Republican Warren Petersen of district 14, the Senate Majority Leader is Janae Shamp of district 29. The current minority leader is Priya Sundareshan of district 18 with Catherine Miranda of district 11 as the assistant minority leader.
Leadership information Position Name Party Residence District President of the Senate Republican Gilbert District 14 President pro tempore Republican Coolidge District 16 Majority leader Republican Scottsdale District 3 Majority whip Republican Surprise District 28 Minority leader Democratic Tucson District 18 Assistant minority leader Democratic Phoenix District 11 Minority whip Democratic Sahuarita District 21 Minority caucus chair Democratic Phoenix District 5
Current composition
+ ↓ 13 17 Democratic Republican
AffiliationParty (shading indicates majority caucus)TotalVacantRepublicanDemocratic2011–122192912013–141713300Begin 20151713300End 201618122017–1817133002019–2017133002021–2216143002023–241614300Begin 20251713300March 14, 202512291March 31, 202513300Latest voting share
Current members, 2025–2027
DistrictNamePartyResidenceFirst ElectionTerm Limited1RepPrescott2024No2RepPhoenix2023No3RepScottsdale2022No4RepScottsdale2024No5DemPhoenix2018Yes6DemCoal Mine Mesa2022No7RepFlagstaff2022No8DemTempe2024No9Kiana SearsDemMesa2025No10RepMesa2022No11DemPhoenix2022No12DemChandler2022No13RepChandler2018Yes14RepGilbert2020No15RepQueen Creek2022No16RepCoolidge2022No17RepTucson2024No18DemTucson2022No19RepSierra Vista2022No20DemTucson2022No21DemSahuarita2022No22DemTolleson2022No23DemYuma2022No24DemPhoenix2024No25RepYuma2024No26DemPhoenix2023No27RepSun City2024No28RepSurprise2022No29RepSurprise2022No30RepBullhead City2024No
Committees The current standing committees of the Arizona Senate are as follows:
Committee Chair Vice Chair Ranking Member Appropriations John Kavanagh David Farnsworth Not Listed Director Nominations Jake Hoffman T. J. Shope Not Listed Education and Transportation David Farnsworth Carine Werner Eva Diaz Federalism Mark Finchem Hildy Angius Priya Sundareshan Finance J. D. Mesnard Vince Leach Mitzi Epstein Government Jake Hoffman Wendy Rogers Lauren Kuby Health & Human Services Carine Werner T. J. Shope Sally Ann Gonzales Judiciary and Elections Wendy Rogers John Kavanagh Analise Ortiz Military Affairs and Border Security David Gowan Janae Shamp Catherine Miranda Natural Resources, Energy & Water T. J. Shope Tim Dunn Rosanna Gabaldón Public Safety Kevin Payne Hildy Angius Kiana Sears Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Shawnna Bolick Frank Carroll Mitzi Epstein Rules David Farnsworth Janae Shamp Flavio Bravo
Past composition of the Senate
See also
Arizona State Capitol Arizona Legislature Arizona House of Representatives List of representatives and senators of Arizona Legislature by districts (2023–2033) List of Arizona state legislatures List of state and territorial capitols in the United States
Notes
References
External links
Official Arizona State Senate website