Tucson, Arizona: Priya Sundareshan Picked to Lead State Senate as Democrats Take Control

Arizona Senate Democrats have picked Sen. Priya Sundareshan of Tucson as the next president of the state Senate. The closed door leadership vote came on Friday, Nov. 6, three days after voters flipped both chambers of the Arizona Legislature to Democratic control in the midterm elections. Sundareshan, who served as minority leader in the outgoing Senate, will take the president's chair when lawmakers return to the Capitol in Phoenix in January.

The choice ends a long run of Republican control. Democrats will hold the Senate majority for the first time since 1992, according to the Arizona Mirror. The party is expected to grow from 13 seats to 20 of the Senate's 30 seats, a two thirds supermajority, as the final results are certified. With Gov. Katie Hobbs winning a second term, Democrats will hold the governor's office and both legislative chambers at the same time, a full sweep of state government that Arizona last saw in 1966.

A Tucson lawmaker at the top of the Senate

Sundareshan represents Tucson in the state Senate and will be the first Democrat to preside over the chamber since Pete Rios held the post in 1991 and 1992, the American Bazaar reported. She is also the first Indian American chosen to lead the chamber. In a statement issued with the leadership announcement, she said voters had sent a clear message.

"We heard you loud and clear. Arizonans rejected partisan extremism and chose a new direction," Sundareshan said. "I am proud of what we accomplished together during my time as minority leader, and I'm ready to lead us into the next chapter."

She told reporters the Senate leadership elections took only half an hour, which she called a sign that the caucus is unified. The new Senate leadership team includes Christine Marsh of Phoenix as majority leader and Analise Ortiz of Phoenix as majority whip. Alma Hernandez and Edgar Soto, both of Tucson, will serve as president pro tempore, and Rosanna Gabaldon of Green Valley and Aaron Lieberman of Paradise Valley will serve as majority chairs.

House picks its leaders the same day

House Democrats made their own choices on Friday after a longer meeting. Oscar De Los Santos of Phoenix will serve as speaker, and Nancy Gutierrez of Tucson will serve as majority leader. Kevin Volk and Brian Garcia will serve as majority whips, and Quanta Crews will serve as speaker pro tempore. On the Republican side, House members reelected Steve Montenegro and Michael Carbone to lead their new minority caucus, and Lupe Diaz will serve as minority whip. Senate Republicans had not announced their minority leadership as of Friday evening.

The outgoing Senate president, Warren Petersen, had already given up his seat to run for attorney general, a race he lost to Democrat Kris Mayes.

What the new majority says it will do

Sundareshan said the new majority will focus on the cost of living. "That means lowering costs for working families, keeping our communities safe, and giving every Arizonan a fair shot at getting ahead," she said in the announcement. "Wherever you live and whoever you voted for, we're here to work for you."

The size of the win gives Democrats room to move, but it also sets up hard choices. The party will have to decide how much to compromise with Republicans, how far to push its own program, and how to spend its political capital with another election two years away. Those questions start in January, when the new Legislature convenes in Phoenix and Sundareshan takes the gavel.