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Welcome to Cactus Politics—Gaveling In
Arizona's State Legislature, under the leadership of State Senate President Warren Peterson and House Speaker Steve Montenegro, is kicking off the 2025 Legislative Session.
While much of the intrigue will center on how the rapidly approaching 2026 statewide political fights will impact the 2025 policy fights, we wanted to kick off our coverage with a primer on the major issues the Legislature will address in the next few months.
Republicans are once again dictating the legislative process. Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp has announced the Republican Senate Majority Plan.
The plan outlines the top issues Republican lawmakers look to tackle, including law enforcement, border security, and water.
Arizona’s Border is not just a line on a map—it is the front-line of our National security, sovereignty, and economic stability.
For too long, federal mismanagement and ineffective policies have left our communities vulnerable to illegal trafficking, drug smuggling, and human exploitation. A
Secure border is essential to protect the safety of our citizens, the prosperity of our businesses, and the integrity of our laws. READ MORE


The Trump Administration and Arizona Democrats
Republicans are salivating at the thought that President-elect Donald Trump will completely undo the failed Biden legislative and foreign policy agendas of the past 4 years as soon as he takes off on January 20, 2025.
President Trump has promised to "Make America Great Again," and with an unquestioned electoral mandate he enjoys after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, Americans have a lot to hope for.
Veteran Republican strategist and lobbyist Sean Noble believes that the incoming Trump administration will force Arizona Democrats to "recalibrate their expectations" this legislative session and future elections to include the 2026 midterm elections.
“With Trump headed to the White House, Democrats in Arizona will have to recalibrate their expectations and where they stand in various policies. We are already seeing that with Sens. Kelly and Gallego supporting the Laken Riley Act. And Gov. Hobbs must decide whether to work with a stronger GOP legislative majority or put her re-election at further risk," said Noble in a statement to Cactus Politics.
The Senate
Sen. Warren Petersen (R)— Senate President
Sen. Thomas "T.J." Shope (R)— President Pro Tempore
Sen. Janae Shamp (R) — Senate Majority Leader
Sen. Frank Carrol (R)— Senate Majority Whip
Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)—Senate Minority Leader
The House
Rep. Steve Montenegro (R)—Speaker of the House
Rep. Neal Carter (R)—Speaker Pro Tempore
Rep. Michael Carbone (R)—Majority Leader
Rep. Julie Willoughby (R)— Majority Whip
Rep. Oscar de los Santos (D)—Minority Leader
Rep. Nancy Gutierrez (D)— Assistant Minority Leader
Rep. Quanta Crews (D)—Minority Whip
Rep. Stacey Travers (D) —Minority Whip
Rep. Eli Crane-A week from tomorrow, President Trump will return to the Oval Office.
The policy wins will be overwhelming.
America will be put first again.
Who's ready?
Ruben Gallego-A fast, reliable internet connection isn't a luxury—it's a necessity.
Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re investing $1.6M to improve broadband access in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, ensuring everyone has the resources they need to succeed.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani-To secure the border, we need to crack down on high-speed car chases that endanger our residents and law enforcement officers.
Glad to have the support of key community leaders for my bill, H.R. 35, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act!
Biggs Reintroduces Bills to Reassert American Dominance Abroad—By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont—Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has reintroduced four bills related to foreign policy designed to reassert American dominance sovereignty on the world stage.
Stars and Syrup, Never: Canada's Conservative Leader Denounces Trump's Ambition—By Cactus Politics' Jackson Bakich
Crane Says Reconciliation Bill Will 'Test' Mike Johnson—By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich
Robson Considered Republican Frontrunner to Challenge Governor Hobbs—By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich—Americans for Prosperity's (AFP)Arizona chapter director Stephen Shadegg shared his 2026 Arizona gubernatorial election predictions with Cactus Politics, suggesting Karrin Taylor Robson (R) is the current frontrunner in the Republicans' challenge to Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ).
Stars and Syrup Forever?: Trump Gets Serious About Acquiring Canada—By Cactus Politics' Jackson Bakich—Reporters questioned President-elect Donald Trump (R) about his willingness to acquire Canada during his upcoming presidency. When asked if he would take it via military force, he said he could do so through "economic force."
Biggs Reintroduces Six Border Security Bills for 119th Congress—By Cactus Politics' Jackson Bakich
Gosar's TSA Screening for Veterans Bill Signed into Law—By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich
Biggs Dismisses Supposed Costs of Mass Deportations as 'Red Herring,' 'Wildly Inaccurate'—By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich—A recent Wall Street Journal report suggested that implementing President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation plans could cost over $315 billion. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) dismissed this number as "a red herring" and "wildly inaccurate" in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Big Money Show, saying the money saved in the long run and self-deportations would lower the costs.
Freedom Caucus Serves Speaker Johnson List of Demands—By Cactus Politics' Jackson Bakich—Members of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) voted for newly re-elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Republicans head into the 119th Congress with a slim majority. While the House Freedom Caucus, including Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Eli Crane (R-AZ)...
Hamadeh Sworn Into Congress With Kayla Mueller's Bible—By Cactus Politics' Daniel Molina—In the 2024 election, newly sworn Arizona Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R) defeated Gregory Whitten (D) to represent Arizona’s 8th congressional district by more than 13 points. The Arizona Republican took his oath of office this week, and he used the moment to ISIS victim Kayla Mueller, which has attracted praise from conservatives.
The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres