After two sessions in which lawmakers successfully fought for lower property- and income taxes for businesses and individuals, Republicans in the House of Representatives opted in a Nov. 8 meeting to retain Jim Weiers, R-10, as speaker.
That same day, Republican senators nominated Tim Bee, R-30, for president. He will replace outgoing President Ken Bennett, who reached his statutory term limit after serving in the Senate for eight years.
Mr. Weiers and Mr. Bee won’t officially be elected as chamber leaders until Jan. 8, when the upcoming session begins.
During separate closed meetings, Republican senators and representatives met to decide who would lead the majority caucuses. In the Senate, Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-22, was elected majority leader and Sen. John Huppenthal, R-20, was elected majority whip.
In the House, Rep. Tom Boone, R-4, was named majority leader and Rep. John McComish, R-20, was named majority whip.
Democrats in the Senate were expected to meet the same day to choose leaders, but the meeting was postponed because the results of two elections — Yuma’s District 24 and Tucson’s District 26 — were unclear and could impact the makeup of the caucus. The meeting has not yet been rescheduled, though some lawmakers have said it could be put off for up to two weeks.
House Democrats were expected to meet after the Arizona Capitol Times deadline Nov. 9 to elect their leaders. Rep. Phil Lopes, D-27, was seeking re-election as minority leader. He was challenged by Rep. Linda Lopez, D-29, who served as assistant leader the past two years.
Rep. Jack Brown, D-5, was the only known candidate for assistant leader. Minority Whip Pete Rios, D-23, was seeking re-election and was challenged by Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-13.