Debbie McCune Davis

Sen. Bill Brotherton’s decision not to run for re-election opens yet another Democrat seat in the chamber.
The often fiery legislator who has served for nearly nine years becomes the fourth Democrat and the sixth senator to leave the Senate at the end of the year, vacancies that current House members want to fill.
In all, 11 state representatives are seeking Senate seats this year. Three other Senate vacancies have already been filled this session after the death of Marilyn Jarrett and decisions by Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords to run for Congress.
“It takes a lot out of you,” Mr. Brotherton told Arizona Capitol Times on May 30, most likely expressing the sentiments of many lawmakers who have families and other jobs.
Mr. Brotherton, who was appointed to the House in 1998 and is completing his fourth year in the Senate, said he decided not to run when he realized he would not have time to coach his daughter in Little League.
“I don’t want to stay until my priorities get screwed up and I end up losing something that really matters to hold on to something that doesn’t matter nearly as much,” he said of his family life versus legislative career. Mr. Brotherton also practices law.
McCune Davis to run for Senate
Democrat and legislative veteran Rep. Debbie McCune Davis has filed for the District 14 Senate seat to replace Mr. Brotherton.
“He will be missed because he’s very bright and understands the legislative process very well,” she said.
Ms. McCune Davis said her top priority in the Legislature is retaining institutional knowledge, something she said she hopes to bring to the Senate. “I hope my moving to the Senate lets me bring those years of experience to the process.”
“She’s a great replacement,” Mr. Brotherton said of Ms. McCune Davis, one of the most tenured of all state lawmakers, with 18 years experience in the House.
Mr. Brotherton, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has focused this year on penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and against mandatory sentencing. He said he was approached several months ago about a leadership position in the Democrat caucus.
“That’s one thing I knew I wasn’t going to do,” he said. “That just takes too much time. The longer you’re here, the more that’s expected of you.”
Linda Aguirre to run for JP
The Democrat caucus will be missing its leader, Sen. Linda Aguirre, D-16, who leaves the Legislature to become a candidate for justice of the peace. Former assistant leader Mr. Mitchell is running for the U.S. House in the 6th Congressional District, and Sen. Robert Cannell, D-24, will retire at the end of the year.
Mr. Mitchell’s appointed replacement, Sen. Edward Ableser, is a candidate for the House in District 17.
Senate President Ken Bennett, R-1, is termed out this year, Sen. Dean Martin, R-6, has chosen to run for state treasurer, and Mr. Brotherton’s departure creates the sixth vacancy.
House members who have filed for the Senate in their districts are Reps. Tom O’Halleran, R-1; Amanda Aguirre, D-24; Russ Jones, R-24; Meg Burton Cahill, D-17; Ted Carpenter, R-6; Pamela Gorman, R-6; Cheryl Chase, R-23; and Ted Downing, D-28.
Also, Leah Landrum Taylor, R-16; Ms. McCune Davis, D-14 and Colette Rosati, R-8.
House reporter Jim Small contributed to this article.