PHOENIX — Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro will lead Republicans as minority leader when Democrats take control of the chamber in January, according to AZ Free News.
House Republicans also chose Rep. Michael Carbone, now the majority leader, as assistant minority leader and Rep. Lupe Diaz as minority whip, the outlet reported. Montenegro represents Legislative District 29, Carbone District 25 and Diaz District 19.
“Our role in the House is changing, but our principles and our responsibility to Arizona families are not,” Montenegro said, according to AZ Free News. He said Republicans would examine Democratic proposals and their costs and work with the new majority when it serves the state’s interests.
The caucus listed tax relief, school choice, educational accountability and public safety as its priorities for the 2027 session, the outlet reported.
Unofficial results put Democrats on track for a 37-23 House majority and a 20-10 Senate majority, according to AZ Free News. House Democrats picked Rep. Oscar De Los Santos as their nominee for speaker and Rep. Nancy Gutierrez as majority leader. Senate Democrats picked Sen. Priya Sundareshan for Senate president.
Senate Republicans separately elected Sen. John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills as minority leader, Sen. Tim Dunn as assistant minority leader and Senator-elect Leo Biasiucci as minority whip, AZ Free News reported.
Education is expected to be a major issue. Gutierrez wants lawmakers to consider changes to the Empowerment Scholarship Account voucher program, while Montenegro said protecting parental choice will remain a Republican priority, according to the outlet.
The 58th Legislature convenes in January.
Sources: AZ Free News, AZ Free News (Senate leadership). Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Unknown / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
