Democrats Lead Arizona Legislative Races, Eyeing Statewide Control

Democrats were leading in a majority of Arizona’s legislative races on November 4, raising the prospect that the party could take control of both chambers for the first time in decades. With Gov. Katie Hobbs’s race called for her, Democrats also stood to hold the governor’s office and claim a statewide “trifecta.”

Unofficial results showed Democratic candidates ahead in 20 of the 30 state Senate races and 38 of the 60 House races. The Senate requires 16 seats for a majority, while the House requires 31. Democrats had entered the election as the minority in both chambers: Republicans held 17 Senate seats and 33 House seats.

The returns were not final, and votes remained to be counted. Earlier Wednesday, 13 Senate races had been called for Democrats, with victories in two districts where Democrats ran unopposed ensuring at least a tie. Democrats were also leading in five other Senate contests, leaving the eventual balance dependent on outstanding votes.

At a party watch gathering, Democrats celebrated the possibility of a historic shift. House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos said the party’s message about making Arizona more affordable had resonated with voters.

Republicans have held the Arizona House majority since at least 1972, the earliest year listed in state election data. They have held the Senate majority since 2002. If the current unofficial leads hold, Republicans would lose control of both chambers.

Arizona Voters Put Democrats on Course to Break GOP Legislative Grip

Arizona voters may be ending decades of Republican control in the Legislature, with Democrats leading in most House and Senate races on November 4. The party also had Gov. Katie Hobbs’s race called, creating the possibility of unified Democratic control in the state.

Unofficial returns put Democrats ahead in 20 of 30 Senate contests and 38 of 60 House races. A Senate majority takes 16 seats; a House majority takes 31. Republicans began the election with 17 Senate seats and 33 House seats, but the current results put both chambers within Democratic reach.

The count was still underway. By early Wednesday, Democrats had won 13 Senate races, while wins in two districts with unopposed Democratic candidates secured at least a tie. They also led in five additional Senate contests. The final balance will depend on remaining ballots.

At a watch party, Democrats celebrated the prospect of a historic change. House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos said their affordability message had connected with Arizona voters. The party’s leads suggest voters are ready to replace a legislative majority Republicans have held for years.

Republicans have controlled the state House since at least 1972 and have held the Senate majority since 2002. If the unofficial results stand, they will lose both chambers and the ability to set the Legislature’s direction.

Unfinished Arizona Count Puts Democratic Takeover in Doubt

Democrats were celebrating the prospect of a statewide “trifecta” in Arizona on November 4, even as legislative results remained unofficial and ballots were still being counted. The party had leads in most House and Senate races, while Gov. Katie Hobbs’s race had been called for her.

Unofficial numbers showed Democrats ahead in 20 of 30 Senate races and 38 of 60 House races. The Senate majority threshold is 16 seats and the House threshold is 31. Republicans entered the election holding 17 Senate seats and 33 House seats, and have controlled the House since at least 1972 and the Senate since 2002.

The early Senate picture was not settled: 13 Democratic victories had been called, and two wins in districts where Democrats ran unopposed guaranteed at least a tie. Democrats led in five other Senate contests, but remaining ballots could still change the outcome. The latest figures leave the balance of power dependent on the final count.

Democrats’ celebration at a watch party centered on a possible historic break with Republican control. House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos said the party’s message about affordability resonated with voters. But the leads are not final results, and the state’s long Republican record in both chambers underscores how much remains at stake as counting continues.