Arizona’s Republican State Representatives won majority by two seats as of 1 a.m Wednesday. The Republican Senate also won 17 of the 30 open state senator spots.
Democratic legislators Randall Friese and Pamela Powers Hannley won over Republican Ana Henderson by around 6 percent for Tucson’s District 9.
“I’m just grateful to serve my community again,” Friese said. “I really enjoyed my first term. I feel like I accomplished a lot and learned a lot.”
Friese also thanked young people for their involvement in voting this year and said he hopes in the future young people will recognize the importance of civil engagements.
District 9 Sen. Steve Farley ran unopposed and collected over 50,000 total votes. He spent much of the campaign helping other party candidates around the city. At the Democratic Watch Party, Farley talked about his involvement in the senate and how difficult it can be to get things done when facing steep opposition.
“It takes hard work—I’ve been serving in a majority-Republican legislator for 10 years now, and it looks like I might be there in the top line of the majority Democratic,” Farley said. “I’ve been working for that for 10 years—it takes time. You have to be patient. It’s worth it because our country is worth fighting for.”
Democratic Sen. David Bradley, won 56 percent to 44 percent over Republican Randall Phelps. Bradley said he feels optimistic for the future and spoke about how he hopes the Arizona Democrats can take over the Senate.
“Things are looking for up for us,” Bradley said. “I think, particularly, if we can get a 15-15 senate, that will be the first time in about 15-16 years that has happened. Things are better, but we want them to be even better beyond this. I am hopeful and always remain hopeful.”
Bradley said it’s all about hanging in and sticking with the same message. He said he hopes more and more young people get involved in the future.
After a 23-year reign, controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio lost his seventh run for sheriff to Democrat rival Paul Penzone. Arpaio is currently facing contempt of court charges after refusing to stop racially targeting Hispanics. According to Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jo Holt, this signals the beginning of the right steps in Arizona.
“We’ve really made an important statement about our rejection of racism and bigotry by defeating Sheriff Arpaio,” Holt said. “Arizona is moving in the right direction. It just feels like baby steps sometimes when we are ready for bigger steps than that.”
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