Senate President Warren Petersen Archives

AZ GOP Leaders Praise Trump’s ‘Miraculous’ First 100 Days

April 29, 2025 12:14 pmApril 30, 2025 8:33 am

As President Donald Trump marks the first 100 days of his return to the White House, Republican lawmakers in Arizona are offering high praise for what they describe to the Arizona Globe as a historic and transformative start to his second term....

Newest AZ 2026 Fundraising Numbers Show Clear Money Leads

April 24, 2025 11:31 amApril 30, 2025 8:34 am

(Updates highlighted below) It’s early, but Q1 campaign finance numbers are in! As Arizona’s 2026 state executive races heat up, early reports for the first quarter of 2025 reveal a competitive financial landscape across the gubernatorial, attorney general, and secretary...

Bolick Striker Saves Stolen Valor Act

April 17, 2025 9:57 amApril 23, 2025 10:01 am

On April 15, 2025, the Arizona Legislature finally passed SB1424, the “Stolen Valor Act,” written to honor MSgt. Orlando Dona. The bill criminalizes false claims of military service or honors to obtain tangible benefits. Originally sponsored by Representative Walt Blackman...

Carbone Addresses Dem ‘Stop Bills for Billionaires’ Rally

April 12, 2025 1:48 pmApril 21, 2025 6:29 pm

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...

WEEK in REVIEW: March 23-March 29, 2025

March 30, 2025 4:04 pmApril 3, 2025 3:54 pm

Stolen Valor Bill Faces Senate Challenges The “Stolen Valor” bill, aimed at criminalizing falsely claiming military service or honors for personal gain, has encountered obstacles in the Senate. Although it passed unanimously in the House, Senator Wendy Rogers, chair of...

Blackman’s ‘Stolen Valor’ Bill Forms Unexpected Alignments

March 30, 2025 2:51 pmApril 2, 2025 10:51 am

Rep. Walt Blackman’s (R-7) “Stolen Valor” legislation has evolved into a controversial focal point in Arizona politics, not for its content, but because of the unexpected political alliances it fostered. The bill, which aims to criminalize impersonating a U.S. armed...

Petersen Joins Fray over Stolen Valor Bill

March 28, 2025 8:21 amApril 1, 2025 9:40 am

A behind-the-scenes dispute over Arizona’s Stolen Valor legislation has spilled into public view, with accusations of political gamesmanship, competing strategies, and veterans caught in the middle. While the bill has broad public support and bipartisan interest, it’s entangled in a...