With Senate President Russell Pearce toppled, Republicans in his chamber are pushing to meet this week to elect a new leader.

That meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, multiple sources told the Arizona Capitol Times.

Most of the taco buffet was gone when Randy Parraz finally arrived at the Citizens for a Better Arizona party at 8:11 p.m., but he came with news that brought a cheer from the 100 or so guests.

“It’s 53 to 45, we’re up by 1,000,” Parraz announced as he reached out a hand to Sen. Steve Gallardo and embraced him.

On top of the world a year ago when his landmark immigration bill became law, Senate President Russell Pearce saw his political career turn to dust tonight when he lost his legislative seat to a political neophyte, despite significantly outspending his opponent.

A Washington, D.C.-based group has spent more than $21,000 to help Senate President Russell Pearce keep his seat in the Nov. 8 recall election targeting him.

With another election season fast approaching, border security remains a priority, but many lawmakers and political insiders say support for local immigration-enforcement measures appears to be waning. The prevailing mood is that lawmakers might not have the appetite to wage emotionally draining battles over illegal immigration at a time when the state faces a more immediate menace — a sagging economy and the loss of 300,000 jobs during the recession.

Senate President Russell Pearce today denied a request by a lawyer for Sen. Scott Bundgaard to remove three members of the ethics committee from hearing a complaint involving the Peoria Republican’s February domestic violence incident.

Pearce officially becomes the first sitting Arizona legislator to face a recall after the group that spearheaded the drive submitted more than enough signatures to Secretary of State for the special election to take place. Last week, Secretary of State Ken Bennett certified the recall and passed it on to Brewer, who is tasked by state law with formally calling the election.

Although Pearce has said he reached into his own pocket to pay for game tickets on the trips he's taken over the years at the Fiesta Bowl's expense, there is a growing belief that his failure to produce evidence he did so means he actually did improperly accept game tickets.

Dozens of major Arizona employers are urging state lawmakers to not pass additional legislation targeting illegal immigration, saying it would damage the economy and tourism industry.

Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce says the Senate will act Wednesday on a proposed state budget even though it doesn't have an agreement with Republican Gov. Jan Brewer.