Arizona House, Senate Democrats select new leadership

PHOENIX – Arizona Senate and House Democrats on Tuesday selected new leadership for the upcoming legislative session.

Arizona Senate Democrats selected Rebecca Rios as their leader for the 2021 session.

“Senate Democrats stand ready to lead as inclusive problem solvers and act on the mandate from Arizonans who want us to focus on funding education, stopping the COVID-19 pandemic, and creating equal opportunity for every Arizonan,” Rios said in a press release.

Sen. David Bradley, the current minority leader, is leaving office after hitting his term limit.

Sen. Lupe Contreras is staying on as assistant minority leader, and Martin Quezada and Victoria Steele were selected to the Senate Democrats’ leadership team as whips.

Rios was reelected in District 27, which covers south Phoenix and surrounding areas, in a landslide. She previously served as the Arizona House minority leader.

In the House, Democrats selected Rep. Reginald Bolding as their leader for the 2021 session.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead this caucus and to work with this incredible team,” Bolding said in a press release. “What we’ve seen over this election cycle is that this state is more purple than red or blue, and we look forward to working together to put forth policies to benefit all Arizonans.”

Bolding was first elected to the House in 2014 and served as the co-whip last session.

The House Democrats also selected Rep. Jennifer Longdon as assistant leader and Rep. Domingo DeGrazia as whip.

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