Arizona Sen. Jack Jackson Jr. submitted his letter of resignation on July 12, and Sen. Rich Crandall may do the same as soon as August, leaving officials a matter of weeks to submit lists of nominees to fill two vacant seats in the Senate chamber.

The Arizona Senate has struck down an effort that would make it harder for voters to recall unpopular incumbents in a rare move that saw Republicans join Democrats against a GOP priority designed to protect lawmakers, and possibly, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

As national leaders rev up the debate on border security and immigration reform, Arizona Democrats are fighting a losing battle in the Legislature to reopen the discussion on how this border state treats illegal immigrants.