Control of all 90 seats in the Arizona Legislature is up for grabs this fall.
Republicans control the state Senate by a 16-14 margin, but Democrats say they have their best shot in more than a half-century to take control of the Legislature. It's a familiar refrain — they tried in 2018. Then again in 2020. And yet again in 2022.
But enthusiasm for the presidential ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the turbo boost of the abortion access ballot measure and the added bonus of a blue governor give Democrats fresh hope. Not to mention cash — lots and lots of cash.
See Also
DISH WIRELESS L.L.C. v. CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY (8:23-cv-02069), California Central District CourtBut there are hurdles on the path to flipping the Legislature from decades of GOP majorities. Among them is a sizable voter registration advantage for Republicans and the prospect of higher voter turnout, given Donald Trump is again on the ballot — although that might help both parties.
The votes of independent voters, whose current registration number of 1.4 million is nearly as high as Republicans' total, will be a critical factor in the election.
Voters in July whittled down their party's nominees — each district will now elect its senator.
Here's who's in the running for a state Senate seat.
Districts to watch
District 2 | District 4 | District 8 | District 9 | District 13 | District 16 | District 17 |
Where the West will be won:Key districts will shape control of the Arizona Legislature
District 2
District profile
- Location: North Phoenix
- Competitiveness:Highly competitive
- Key election vote spread: Republican +3.8%
Latest coverage
- 1864 abortion ban: District 2 GOP incumbent joins one GOP colleague, Democrats to pass repeal
Candidates
- Shawnna Bolick, incumbent
- Party: Republican
- Cash balance: $164,386.16
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 2 GOP primary: Won
- 2022 - Secretary of State GOP primary: Lost
- 2020 - House District 20 GOP primary: Second; House District 20 general: Second
- 2018 - House District 20 GOP primary: Second; House District 20 general: Second
- Judy Schwiebert
- Party: Democratic
- Cash balance: $327,518.37
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 2 Democratic primary: Unopposed
- 2022 - House District 2 Democratic primary: Unopposed; House District 2 general: First
- 2020 - House District 20 Democratic primary: Unopposed; House District 20 general: First
- Dennis Pugsley
- Party: Green
District 4
District profile
- Location: North Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Highly competitive
- Key election vote spread: Republican +3.42%
Candidates
- Christine Marsh, incumbent
- Party: Democratic
- Cash balance: $256,719.13
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 4 Democratic primary: Unopposed
- 2022 - Senate District 4 Democratic primary: Unopposed; Senate District 2 general: Won
- 2020 - Senate District 28 Democratic primary: Unopposed; Senate District 28 general: Won
- 2018 - Senate District 28 Democratic primary: Unopposed; Senate District 28 general: Lost
- Carine Werner
- Party: Republican
- Cash balance: $118,834.60
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 4 GOP primary: Won
- 2022 - Scottsdale Unified Governing Board at-large: Second
District 8
District profile
- Location: Tempe, Scottsdale
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +27.46%
Candidates
- Lauren Kuby
- Party: Democratic
- Cash balance: $15,356.29
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 8 Democratic primary: Won
- 2022 - Arizona Corporation Commission Democratic primary: Second; Arizona Corporation Commission general: Lost
- Roxana Holzapfel
- Party: Republican
- Cash balance: $47,369.44
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 8 GOP primary: Unopposed
- 2022 - Senate District 8 GOP primary: Unopposed; Senate District 8 general: Lost
District 9
District profile
- Location: Mesa
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Highly competitive
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +2.6%
Candidates
Abortion policy: How a District 9 Democrat sparked national conversation about abortion
- Eva Burch, incumbent
- Party: Democratic
- Cash balance: $130,081.07
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 9 Democratic primary: Unopposed
- 2022 - Senate District 9 Democratic primary: Unopposed; Senate District 9 general: Won
- Robert Scantlebury
- Party: Republican
- Cash balance: $29,931.26
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 9 GOP primary: Won
- 2022 - Senate District 9 GOP primary: Won; Senate District 9 general: Lost
District 13
District profile
- Location: Chandler, Gilbert
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Highly competitive
- Key election vote spread: Republican +1.56%
Candidates
- J.D. Mesnard, incumbent
- Party: Republican
- Cash balance: $131,133.19
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 13 GOP primary: Unopposed
- 2022 - Senate District 13 GOP primary: Unopposed; Senate District 13 general: Won
- 2020 - Senate District 17 GOP primary: Unopposed; Senate District 17 general: Won
- 2018 - Senate District 17 GOP primary: Unopposed; Senate District 17 general: Won
- Sharon Lee Winters
- Party: Democratic
- Cash balance: $48,224.20
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 13 Democratic primary: Unopposed
District 16
District profile
- Location: Southwest Valley, Casa Grande, Tucson
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Highly competitive
- Key election vote spread: Republican +3.62%
Latest coverage
- 1864 abortion ban: District 16 GOP incumbent joins one GOP colleague, Democrats to pass repeal
Candidates
- T.J. Shope, incumbent
- Party: Republican
- Cash balance: $110,321.93
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 16 GOP primary: Won
- 2022 - Senate District 16 GOP primary: Unopposed; Senate District 16 general: Won
- 2020 - Senate District 8 GOP primary: Unopposed; Senate District 17 general: Won
- 2018 - House District 8 GOP primary: First; House District 8 general: Second
- Stacey Seaman
- Party: Democrat
- Cash balance: $39,579.67
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 16 Democratic primary: Unopposed
District 17
District profile
- Location: Marana, Oro Valley, Rillito
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +8.34%
Latest coverage
- Comeback bid: Veteran Republican wins primary rematch after incumbent's row with police
Candidates
- Vince Leach
- Party: Republican
- Cash balance: $39,381.64
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 17 GOP primary: Won
- 2022 - Senate District 17 GOP primary: Lost
- 2020 - Senate District 11 GOP primary: Unopposed; Senate District 11 general: Won
- 2018 - House District 11 GOP primary: First; House District 11 general: Second
- John McLean
- Party: Democrat
- Cash balance: $147,115.39
- Previous elections
- 2024 - Senate District 17 Democratic primary: Won
Safe districts
District 1 | District 3 | District 5 | District 6 | District 7 | District 10 | District 11 | District 12 | District 14 | District 15 | District 18 | District 19 | District 20 | District 21 | District 22 | District 23 | District 24 | District 25 | District 26 | District 27 | District 28 | District 29 | District 30
District 1
District profile
- Location: Prescott, Chino Valley, Sedona
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: R +27.78%
Candidates
- Republican: Mark Finchem
- Democrat: Mike Fogel
District 3
District profile
- Location: Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Anthem
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +25.64%
Candidate
- Republican: John Kavanagh, incumbent
District 5
District profile
- Location: Central Phoenix
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +38.1%
Candidates
- Democrat: Lela Alston, incumbent
- Republican: Joshua Ortega
District 6
District profile
- Location: Page, Flagstaff, St. Johns, Whiteriver, San Carlos
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +34.82%
Candidate
- Democrat: Theresa Hatathlie, incumbent
District 7
District profile
- Location: Flagstaff, Payson, Show Low, Snowflake, Globe
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +21.43%
Latest coverage
- Stolen valor? Incumbent Republican backs candidates accused of exaggerating military service
Candidates
- Republican: Wendy Rogers, incumbent
- Democrat: Haley Creighton
District 10
District profile
- Location: Mesa
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +22.7%
Candidates
- Republican: David Farnsworth, incumbent
- Democrat: Robert Doyle
District 11
District profile
- Location: South Phoenix, Laveen
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +53.9%
Candidates
- Democrat: Catherine Miranda, incumbent
- Republican: Joshua Ayala
District 12
District profile
- Location: Tempe, Chandler
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +14.7%
Candidates
- Democrat: Denise "Mitzi" Epstein, incumbent
- Republican: Cara Vicini
District 14
District profile
- Location: Gilbert
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +17.94%
Candidates
- Republican: Warren Petersen, incumbent
- Democrat: Elizabeth Brown
District 15
District profile
- Location: Queen Creek, San Tan Valley
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +27.42%
Candidates
- Republican: Jake Hoffman, incumbent
- Democrat: Alan Smith
District 18
District profile
- Location: Tucson
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +20.4%
Candidate
- Democrat: Priya Sundareshan, incumbent
District 19
District profile
- Location: Sierra Vista, Wilcox, Benson, Vail
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +22.18%
Candidates
- Republican: David Gowan, incumbent
- Democrat: Bob Karp
District 20
District profile
- Location: Tucson
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +53.26%
Candidate
- Democrat: Sally Ann Gonzales, incumbent
District 21
District profile
- Location: Tucson, Nogales
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +30.51%
Candidate
- Democrat: Rosanna Gabaldon, incumbent
District 22
District profile
- Location: Avondale, Tolleson, Glendale
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +37.36%
Candidates
- Democrat: Eva Diaz, incumbent
- Republican: Steve Robinson
District 23
District profile
- Location: Yuma, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Tucson
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +16.89%
Candidates
- Democrat: Brian Fernandez, incumbent
- Republican: Michelle Altherr
District 24
District profile
- Location: Glendale, Phoenix
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +33.54%
Latest coverage
- 'Shame, shame': District 24 Democrat doesn't face punishment after ethics hearing on disorderly behavior
- 'I know you from TikTok': How a District 24 lawmaker is using social media to engage voters
Candidate
- Democrat: Analise Ortiz
District 25
District profile
- Location: Yuma, Surprise, Buckeye
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +25.7%
Latest coverage
- 1864 abortion ban: District 25 Republican joins two House GOP colleagues, Democrats to pass repeal
Candidate
- Republican: Tim Dunn
District 26
District profile
- Location: West Phoenix
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Democratic +33.54%
Candidates
- Democrat: Flavio Bravo, incumbent
- Republican: Victor "Vic" Harris
District 27
District profile
- Location: Peoria
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +8.94%
Latest coverage
- Magic mushrooms: District 27 Republican champions psilocybin mushroom research
Candidate
- Republican: Kevin Payne
District 28
District profile
- Location: Sun City, New River, Peoria, Surprise
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +24.97%
Candidate
- Republican: Frank Carroll, incumbent
District 29
District profile
- Location: Surprise, Morristown, Wittmann, Goodyear, Peoria
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +13.3%
Candidates
- Republican: Janae Shamp, incumbent
- Democrat: Eric Stafford
District 30
District profile
- Location: Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Wickenburg
- Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission competitiveness ranking:Outside of Competitive Range
- Key election vote spread: Republican +48.74%
Candidates
- Republican: Hildy Angius
- Democrat: J’aime Morgaine
