Democrats Claim Control of Arizona Legislature as Republicans Face Historic Defeat

Democratic leaders declared victory in both chambers of the Arizona Legislature Tuesday night as early election returns showed their candidates leading in numerous Republican-held districts, potentially ending six decades of GOP legislative dominance.

But with hundreds of thousands of ballots still uncounted, control of neither chamber had been independently confirmed.

At the Arizona Democratic Party’s election-night gathering in Phoenix, House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos and Senate Democratic leader Priya Sundareshan appeared as the prospective leaders of their respective chambers.

“We are thrilled to announce that there will be a democratic majority,” De Los Santos told supporters, according to the Arizona Mirror.

Republicans entered Election Day holding a 33–27 majority in the House and a 17–13 majority in the Senate. Democrats need a net gain of four House seats and three Senate seats to capture both chambers.

According to the Arizona Mirror’s 10 p.m. election-night analysis, Democratic candidates were leading in seven Republican-held Senate seats and nine Republican-held House seats. If those advantages survive the remaining vote count, Democrats could emerge with approximately 20 Senate seats and 36 House seats.

The potential Republican losses extend well beyond the districts traditionally considered competitive.

Democrats were leading Republican Senate incumbents Shawnna Bolick in Legislative District 2, Carine Werner in District 4 and T.J. Shope in District 16. In District 14, Democrat Stephanie Walsh held an early advantage over Mylie Biggs, daughter of Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs.

Republicans were also trailing in several consequential House contests, including districts 4, 13, 16, 17 and 27.

The Arizona Republic separately reported that Democrats were leading in more than a dozen legislative contests, with some Republican candidates trailing in districts not generally regarded as battlegrounds.

The results could dramatically transform state government. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who was also leading her reelection race Tuesday night, has spent much of her first term battling Republican lawmakers over legislation, executive appointments and spending priorities.

Democratic control of both chambers, combined with a Hobbs victory, would give the party unified control of Arizona government for the first time since the 1960s.

For now, however, the Democratic celebration is ahead of the official outcome. Large numbers of ballots remain outstanding, particularly in Maricopa County, and early advantages are not the same as confirmed victories.

The Arizona Globe will continue monitoring legislative returns as counties update their unofficial results.