ARIZONA NEWS

Republicans lead race for Arizona House, Senate control by slim margins

Nov 10, 2022, 10:36 AM | Updated: Nov 14, 2022, 10:22 am

(KTAR News Photos)...

(KTAR News Photos)

(KTAR News Photos)

PHOENIX – The next Arizona Legislature is on track to look a lot like the last one, although several races were close enough to potentially flip as more votes are counted.

According to results available as of Thursday morning, Republicans were leading for 16 Senate seats and 31 House seats. If that holds, the GOP will have the same one-seat advantage in each chamber as in the current Legislature.

In such a case, Warren Petersen will assume the role of senate president after he ran unopposed in district No. 14, the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus announced Thursday.

Republicans have controlled both chambers every session but one since 1993. The exception was when the Senate was deadlocked 15-15 in 2001-02.

Here’s a look at how some notable legislative races from Arizona’s 2022 general election were going as of Thursday morning:

• The Senate race in District 2 had a razor-thin margin, with Republican Steve Kaiser up by just 412 votes. If Democrat Jeanne Casteen erases the gap, the state would be looking at a 15-15 Senate.

• In the closest contest for a House seat that could change the party breakdown, Democrat Keith Seaman was a mere 12 votes ahead of Republican Rob Hudelson in District 16. That race could be heading for an automatic recount.

• In a showdown between two incumbent senators who landed together in District 4 after redistricting, Democrat Christine Marsh was leading Nancy Barto by 3,589 votes, 51.9%-48.1%. Barto was a key figure in crafting Arizona’s 15-week abortion ban and supported a full ban in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

• Republican Ken Bennett, a longtime legislator before serving as secretary of state from 2009 to 2015, is positioned to return to the Senate for the first time since 2007. He had an overwhelming 66% of the vote in District 1. Bennett served as the state Senate liaison for the Cyber Ninjas-led review of the 2020 Maricopa County election.

• House Majority Leader Ben Toma, a potential speaker for the next session, was only 1,572 votes ahead of Democrat Don Kissinger for the second seat in District 27. Republican Kevin Payne led the field at 34.03% (28,466 votes), followed by Toma at 33.92% (28,372) and Kissinger at 32.04% (26,800).

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Tucson border patrol...

Roxanne De La Rosa

3 men arrested near Tucson after fleeing from Border Patrol

Tucson Border Patrol agents arrested three men on Tuesday near the southern border, after they tried to flee from law enforcement.

1 hour ago

The Arizona Attorney General was granted a temporary restraining order after filing a suit to stop ...

David Veenstra

Federal judge grants Arizona AG temporary restraining order over DOGE personal data access

The Arizona Attorney General was granted a temporary restraining order after filing a suit to stop DOGE's access to sensitive personal information.

3 hours ago

More than 90% of Phoenix employees completed human trafficking awareness training, earning the city...

David Veenstra

Almost all Phoenix employees complete human trafficking awareness training

More than 90% of Phoenix employees completed human trafficking awareness training, earning the city a special designation.

5 hours ago

A pedestrian died after a vehicle hit her on a West Valley street Friday night, authorities said....

David Veenstra

Pedestrian dies after vehicle hits her on West Valley street

A pedestrian died after a vehicle hit her on a West Valley street Friday night, authorities said.

7 hours ago

Reusable serveware now in use at Phoenix Convention Center...

Serena O'Sullivan

Phoenix Convention Center to introduce reusable food and drink packaging

Head to the Phoenix Convention Center and you'll notice you can now eat and drink from reusable serveware when attending events.

9 hours ago

Peoria Police department...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Peoria police search for vandals who caused $30-40K worth of park damage

The Peoria Police Department is asking the public for help in finding the suspect responsible for vandalizing and causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage to a local park.

20 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Republicans lead race for Arizona House, Senate control by slim margins