Montenegro Posts Final Assignments, Creates Arizona’s DOGE

On Thanksgiving eve, Speaker Steve Montenegro unveiled final committee assignments. The pre-holiday announcement was reminiscent of a “Friday evening news dump” used by administrations to avoid news cycles. Rumors swirled that Representative Joseph Chaplik would return to the ethics committee or perhaps Representative Alex Kolodin. Instead, Montenegro selected Representative Lupe Diaz as the chair and Representative Neal Carter as the vice chair.

However, the two members of the Freedom Caucus were not left out in the cold. They will head the new Regulatory Committee, which will be modeled after DOGE. The Arizona Globe contacted Speaker Montenegro’s representative for more information but has not yet received a response.

Senate President Warren Peterson expressed his enthusiasm about Chaplik and Kolodin leading the new committee. Earlier in the week, Peterson posted on X, “This year, I created the Regulatory Affairs and Government Reform Committee.” After Montenegro announced that the House was following his lead, Peterson remarked, “Great move by Speaker-elect Steve Montenegro. I love this committee. It will complement our Regulatory Affairs and Government Oversight efforts in the Senate.”

It’s uncertain whether Chaplik and Kolodin are pleased with their assignment. Chaplik had previously expressed interest in remaining on the ethics committees. Given that the ethics committee may take action early in the session against Representative Elda Luna-Nájera, an issue carried over from Chaplik’s Eitics committee days, It might have been beneficial for Chaplik to resume the chair position.

In a post on X (below), Avondale Councilwoman Jeannette Garcia questioned the wisdom of granting Luna-Najera a committee in light of the Ethics committee concerns. According to records, In August 2024, Luna-Nájera, then President of the Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board and an Arizona state representative, was accused of sexual harassment by Superintendent Jeremy Calles. Calles alleged that Luna-Nájera made unwanted advances toward him over several months.

Following these allegations, an independent investigation commissioned by the school board concluded that Luna-Nájera and Calles had engaged in a sexual relationship. The investigation found that Luna-Nájera’s actions were “considerably more egregious” due to the power she held over Calles and that she pursued a physical relationship even after he attempted to discourage her advances.

Hey @SteveMontenegro

I see Rep. Elda Luna Najera on two committees – she sexually harassed the School Board Superintendent.

She doesn’t deserve to represent my district!

They even replaced her and I believe you should too!

If she was a man or a Republican there would be… https://t.co/LPjj809jXs pic.twitter.com/k0MQQSzpRa

— Jeannette Garcia (@Jnet_margarita) November 27, 2024

Former National Committeeman Tyler Bowyer also questioned Montenegro’s selection for Appropriations chair. Posting on X, Bowyer said, “David Livingston has the worst voting record of any Republican.  It’s a huge mistake to make him the Appropriations chair. If you’re interested in David’s voting record, please visit this link.”  Boyer also provided Turning Point Action’s scorecard for Arizona’s state and federal legislatures.

Speaker Montenegro’s committee assignments have sparked significant discussion and scrutiny ahead of the upcoming legislative session. With Representatives Chaplik and Kolodin at the helm of the newly created Regulatory Committee and contentious figures like Representative Elda Luna-Nájera under the spotlight of potential ethics action, the stage is set for a dynamic session. As the dust settles from the committee announcements, all eyes will be on how they will shape the legislative agenda and address the state’s pressing ethical and policy concerns.