Arizona Senate Democrats hosted a “Stop Bills for Billionaires” rally at the state Capitol in Phoenix, AZ earlier today. The event protests legislation perceived as favoring the wealthy over working-class Arizonans. Senators Mitzi Epstein (D-LD12) and Lauren Kuby (D-LD8) were among those addressing the attendees, criticizing recent tax proposals and budget priorities they argue benefit billionaires while, in their view, neglecting essential public services.

The rally featured speeches from Democrat lawmakers and community leaders, condemning policies they believe promote economic inequality. Organizers contend that certain tax reforms and budget allocations disproportionately advantage the ultra-wealthy while underfunding critical areas like education and healthcare.

Arizona is home to somewhere from 11 to 15 billionaires, depending on the data source. Yet, despite this relatively small number, the Democrats’ “Stop Bills for Billionaires” mirrors the national rhetoric popularized by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. The choice aligns with Sanders’ shift in focus from “millionaires and billionaires” to solely “billionaires” after he became a millionaire himself from book royalties following his 2016 presidential campaign. This change in messaging has been noted by critics who point out the irony in Sanders’ continued critique of wealth concentration while being part of the so-called “One -percent.”

Critics allege that both locally and nationally, Democrats have boxed themselves into what many see as a “permanent resistance movement” by clinging to the narrative that they’re the party of the poor and middle class. However, the Democrat party has increasingly become more aligned with Hollywood and the bi-coastal elites, with much of their influence focused in California, New York, and several other “Blue” states.

Arizona House Majority Leader Michael Carborne (R-25) pushed back on Dem claims, telling the Arizona Globe, “There’s a myth that Republicans are for the rich.” He then pointed to national fundraising trends: “For over three decades, Democrats have outraised us in national elections.”

He added, “When you look at the ultra-rich—Zuckerberg with Facebook, Elon Musk until recently, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Hollywood—it’s all Democrats. This is why Donald Trump won. He resurrected what Ronald Reagan did in the 80s—he fought for the blue collar.”

Carborne emphasized the Arizona House Majority Plan’s first principle of preserving the American Dream—home ownership, entrepreneurship, and small business—not the agenda of the “extreme” Democrats. (You can read the Arizona Senate Majority plan here.)

Likewise, Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) told the Globe, “The Dems are the party of the rich. The Republicans are nearly always outspent during campaigns.  Just look at Harris vs. Trump and our races here in Arizona.”

Another legislator refused to “play the games” that Democrats engage in. Speaking off the record to the Globe, they shared a candid moment: “I heard them talking amongst themselves in the stairwell the other day, gloating about how they’d held up progress on the floor with all their antics. That is all they have. They read from on-screen teleprompters—sometimes on the WRONG bill. They grandstand. They drag things out. It’d be laughable if it weren’t so disrespectful to the institution of the Senate, to which our voters sent us to do good work for them. We just roll our eyes—or leave the room.”

The Arizona Globe saw a flood of online flyers, Facebook event threads, and promotional posts from groups like Save Our Schools advertising the rally. However, as of press time, there was no evidence the event occurred, or if so, that it drew any meaningful public turnout.

The Globe has requested a response from event organizers but has not heard back yet. Watch for an update if they reach out.