PHOENIX — Arizona Democrats, set to control the Legislature for the first time in 60 years, have picked their leaders for the 2027 session.
The House Democratic Caucus elected Rep. Oscar De Los Santos of Phoenix on Friday, Nov. 6, as the first Democratic speaker since 1966, the Arizona Mirror reported.
“Our priorities have been consistently focused on bringing down costs for housing, childcare and healthcare for working people and middle-class Arizonans,” De Los Santos said in a statement. “Now we have a mandate, a moral obligation and a historic opportunity to deliver an Arizona we can afford.”
The Mirror reported the House Democratic caucus is expected to have 37 of 60 members once all votes are tallied and certified, up from 27. Joining De Los Santos will be Majority Leader Nancy Gutierrez of Tucson, Majority Whips Brian Garcia of Tempe and Kevin Volk of Tucson, and Speaker Pro Tem Quantá Crews of Phoenix.
In the Senate, Democrats chose Tucson’s Priya Sundareshan as the next Senate president, according to the Arizona Mirror and Arizona Luminaria. Sen. Christine Marsh of Phoenix will be majority leader, and Sen. Analise Ortiz of Phoenix will be majority whip, Luminaria reported.
The new Legislature convenes in January. Election results remain unofficial until counties and the state complete their canvasses.
Sources: Arizona Mirror, Arizona Luminaria. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Unknown / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
