Warren Petersen[1] is an American politician and a Republican member of the Arizona Senate representing District 14 from January 9, 2023. He serves as President of the Arizona Senate. He formerly was a State Representative, also representing District 12.[2] He was elected by his peers to serve as Majority Leader from 2018–2019.[3]

Warren Petersen
President of the Arizona Senate
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byKaren Fann
Member of the Arizona Senate
Assumed office
January 11, 2021
Preceded byEddie Farnsworth
Constituency12th district (2021–2023)
14th district (2023–present)
In office
January 9, 2017 – January 14, 2019
Preceded byAndy Biggs
Succeeded byEddie Farnsworth
Constituency12th district
Majority Leader of the Arizona House of Representatives
In office
January 14, 2019 – January 11, 2021
Preceded bySteve Montenegro
Succeeded byBen Toma
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 12th district
In office
January 14, 2019 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byEddie Farnsworth
Succeeded byJake Hoffman
In office
January 14, 2013 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byJerry Weiers
Succeeded byTravis Grantham
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMichelle Petersen
EducationArizona State University, Tempe (BA)
Signature
WebsiteCampaign website

Elections

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In 2012, Arizona redistricted and Legislative District 12 was drawn to cover Gilbert and Queen Creek. Steve Urie decided to leave the legislature, leaving an open seat in the House. Petersen ran in the three-way August 28, 2012, Republican primary. Incumbent Representative Eddie Farnsworth placed first, Petersen placed second with 12,500 votes, and former state Senator Larry Chesley placed third with 8,688 votes.[4] Farnsworth and Petersen were unopposed in the November 6, 2012, general election, with Farnsworth placing first and Petersen taking second with 52,590 votes.[5]

In 2014, Petersen and Farnsworth were unopposed in the primary, with Petersen placing first with 16,442 votes and Farnsworth placing second with 15,351 votes. In November, there was a three-way general election with Petersen taking first with 34,784 votes, Farnsworth taking second with 32,843 and Rothans receiving 18,446 votes for third place.

In 2016, Andy Biggs left the Arizona Senate to run for Congress in CD5. Petersen ran to replace Biggs in the State Senate. Petersen won the General Election 69,356 votes to Elizabeth Brown's 37,178 votes.

Arizona Audit

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Petersen issued subpoenas for the Senate audit of the 2020 election. Auditors sought to conceal records to hide the origin of the audit.[6][7]

Legislation

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In 2015 Petersen sponsored SB 1241 which banned municipalities within Arizona to require businesses to report energy usage or regulate auxiliary containers[8] known as the plastic bag ban preemption which ensures businesses do not have to deal with inconsistent regulations across the state.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Warren Petersen's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  2. ^ "Warren Petersen". Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  3. ^ Services, Howard Fischer, Capitol Media (2018-11-07). "House Republicans choose Rep. Bowers to lead them". Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved 2019-12-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2012 Primary Election August 28, 2012" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 9 & 10. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  5. ^ "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2012 General Election November 6, 2012" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 11. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  6. ^ "Arizona Supreme Court: Senate can keep audit records secret". azfamily.com. The Associated Press. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Arizona election review again ruled public". Arkansas Online. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  8. ^ "SB 1241 | League of Arizona Cities and Towns, AZ". www.azleague.org. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Plastic bags Plastic bag preemption enacted".
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Political offices
Preceded by President of the Arizona Senate
2023–present
Incumbent