Big Changes Coming to Arizona Legislature, But Some Guardrails Still Remain

Arizona Democrats took control of both chambers of the state legislature in this month’s midterm elections, marking the first time in 60 years that Democrats will have unified control of the State House, State Senate, and Governor’s office.

Democrats held, or took control of, all statewide offices, including Governor and Attorney General. They also flipped the state Senate, taking 20 of the 30 total seats. They took control of the state House as well, winning a broad majority of at least 37 seats (election officials are still counting ballots in one race that remains too close to call, but the Republican candidate holds a small lead).

Despite the large majorities, some checks remain on Democrats’ power. A 1992 proposition, Prop 108, amended the state constitution to require a 2/3 supermajority vote of each House of the Legislature to enact a bill that provides for a net increase in state revenues. Democrats did pull together a supermajority in the state Senate, but will fall short by at least two votes in the House. Meaning, Democrats will be unable to enact major tax increases on Arizonans if House Republicans hold the line.

Republicans lost both marquee Congressional races in the state, one seat in Tucson and Southern Arizona, and the other in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. In Tucson, incumbent Juan Ciscomani lost to challenger JoAnna Mendoza. In Scottsdale, former NFL player Jay Feely lost to Emergency Room Doctor Amish Shah in a competitive race to succeed outgoing Representative David Schweikert.

Arizona voters also made their voices heard on a variety of ballot initiatives, including one that passed, which will limit local governments' ability to impose grocery taxes, and another that will prohibit vehicle mileage taxes. You can find the results and breakdowns of all the statewide ballot measures here.