Mark DeSimone, D-11, of Phoenix had his wife, Mali, as a guest on the House floor June 26.

Rep. Mark DeSimone spent the morning and afternoon of June 26 at the Capitol as the Legislature hammered out a budget agreement that would close a $2 billion budget deficit – an event at which his wife, Mali, was a guest.

Later that night, Phoenix police arrested the freshman Democrat lawmaker at his home after he allegedly struck Mali "one or more times" during an argument, causing cuts in her mouth, a Phoenix Police Department spokesman said.

Sgt. Joel Tranter of the Phoenix Police Department said officers who responded were told the DeSimones had been arguing when the altercation escalated to physical violence. Tranter also said Mark DeSimone had consumed alcohol prior to the altercation.

The arrest took place in the 200 block of W. Seldon Lane after police were called to DeSimone's home at about 11:45 p.m.

"It appears he struck his wife one or more times," Tranter said. "She sustained minor lacerations on the inside of one of her lips."

DeSimone was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail on June 27. He will appear at Phoenix Municipal Court in the coming days, Tranter said.

He is being charged with misdemeanor assault domestic violence.

Emily DeRose, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party, said DeSimone probably will vacate his legislative seat.

"It's our understanding that he intends to resign upon his release. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," she said in a statement.

Rep. Adam Driggs, DeSimone's Republican seatmate, said he did not have any comment on the arrest.

DeSimone did not return a message left on his cell phone.

His wife was a guest on the House floor earlier in the day on June 26. Several observers have reported they seemed affectionate and left the Capitol last night holding hands.

Desimone, a bar and restaurant owner, has been credited by business interests for playing a key role in improving relations between the business community and the more socially-orientated Democrats at the Legislature.

Earlier this week, the lawmaker was named Freshman of the Year by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and also sponsored a bill seeking to provide legislative oversight of government agencies' executive authority to regulate businesses.

Glenn Hamer, the chamber's executive director, said he does not expect a departure by DeSimone to halt progress with Democrats.

Hamer said the business community also will lose a key partner in Sen. Marsha Arzberger, D-25, who will retire at the end of this year. But new relationships have been formed with House Minority Leader Phil Lopes, D-27, and Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-13, he said.

"I feel we have very strong relationships with a lot of the Democrats," Hamer, said.