Arizona Politics

Montenegro Announces New House Majority Policy Staff for Second Session

State Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro (R-29) has announced the new House Majority Policy Staff set for the second Arizona Legislative session beginning in late September.

Three of the new staff members have been promoted to new positions, including Joel Hobbins, Trinity Preest, and Noah Brunson-Osborne. Gina Swoboda, head of the Arizona Republican Party, is the latest member, while Kelsey Jahntz is the only returning member from the first session.

Hobbins is set to become the Policy Advisor for the Health & Human Services Committee, having been a research analyst for the Government and Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committees since 2021.

Preest is the former Majority Policy Intern for the first 2025 session, where she served in the Commerce and Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committees. She has now jumped up to Assistant Policy Advisor.

Brunson-Osborne will be the new Assistant Policy Advisor for the Regulatory Oversight Committee, and like Preest, he is a former Majority Policy Intern during the first 2025 session, where he specialized in the Judiciary and Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committees.

Swoboda is now the Senior Policy Advisor for the Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee, having previously served in the Secretary of State's Office under two Governors.

Finally, Jahntz has been given the position as Director of Policy, previously working for the Arizona Legislature as Senior Policy Advisor for the House Education and Appropriations Committees. As Director of Policy, Jahntz will advise the House Education and Commerce Committees and provide key support throughout the state budget process.

"Kelsey, Gina, and Joel each bring outstanding knowledge and expertise to our Majority team and are standouts in their fields—I'm proud to have them on board," said Speaker Montenegro in his press release, adding, "Trinity and Noah distinguished themselves as interns through their work ethic and professionalism, and we're excited to welcome them into permanent roles. From budget and education policy to health care and election law, our staff brings the experience and insight our members rely on. This team makes our Majority stronger, and I'm confident in their ability to help us keep delivering results for the people of Arizona in the months ahead."

The second regular session begins on September 26th.

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.

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