Warren Petersen

Warren Petersen (born September 8, 1976) 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. He was elected by his peers to serve as Majority Leader from 2018 to 2019. He is the Republican nominee in the 2026 Arizona Attorney General election.

Arizona State Legislature Elections 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. Farnsworth and Petersen were unopposed in the November 6, 2012, general election, with Farnsworth placing first and Petersen taking second with 52,590 votes.

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.

State House of Representatives In 2013 Petersen co-sponsored HB2608 with 37 other state legislators, amending retirement plans for elected officials. It closed the Elected Officials Retirement Plan (EORP), placing future elected officials in the Elected Officials' Defined Contribution Retirement System (EORS).

In 2015 Petersen sponsored HB2212, closing the Arizona Weights and Measures Department.

In 2016 Petersen co-sponsored HB2114 with 8 other state legislators, which recognized a signed agreement as presumption of independent contractor status.

In 2017, Peteren co-sponsored SB1350 along with 4 other state legislators, expanding the crime of terrorism and established related mandatory minimum sentences. Created new crimes regarding terrorist threats and false reporting.

In 2018 Petersen introduced SB1273 which provides an additional avenue for a person to petition the Governor's Regulatory Review Council (Council) to review an existing agency practice, substantive policy statement, final rule or regulatory licensing requirement not specifically authorized by law based on outlined requirements. Establishes opportunities for parties in adjudicative cases to participate in a settlement or mediation and seek disposition.

In 2019 Petersen co-sponsored HB2569 along with 32 other state legislators. The legislation allows workers from any state to come to Arizona and get an occupational license as long as they were licensed in the state they came from.

State Senate Gender Identity Legislation and Litigation In 2022, Petersen sponsored SB 1138, which prohibited healthcare providers from performing gender-affirming surgeries for minors, including procedures to modify chest appearance to align with gender identity. Governor Doug Ducey signed the bill into law in March 2022, stating it would protect minors from "irreversible procedures." Healthcare professionals testified during legislative hearings that the law could conflict with evolving medical standards of care, while LGBTQ+ advocates expressed concerns about the law's impact on youth mental health.

U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Zipps ordered Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma to produce emails related to the law's passage and submit to questioning, ruling they had waived legislative privilege by voluntarily joining the lawsuit. The court's examination centered on whether the law served a "constitutionally permissible purpose" and was "substantially related to an important government objective." The EPA rules, announced in March 2024, would require that approximately two-thirds of new passenger vehicles and a quarter of new heavy trucks sold in the United States be electric by 2032.

The lawsuits claimed the regulations exceeded the EPA's legal authority and were "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and otherwise not in accordance with law."

HB 2492 Voter Registration Requirements Litigation In 2022, Arizona enacted HB 2492, which required documentary proof of citizenship for residents registering to vote using state-created forms and restricted presidential voting and mail-in ballot access for those who couldn't provide such proof. After legal challenges from voting rights groups and the Biden administration, the law was not initially enforced.

On August 22, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a split decision on an emergency request from Petersen and the Republican National Committee. The Court allowed Arizona to require documentary proof of citizenship for new registrants using state forms, but rejected enforcing such requirements for presidential election voting or mail-in ballots. While only two referrals were initially approved for the ballot, Petersen maintained a strategic approach to further referrals, telling reporters to "Stay tuned" when questioned about Republican leadership's plans. As Senate President, Petersen took legal action to challenge the designation, filing a lawsuit along with then-House Speaker Ben Toma, State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, and several local governments.

The lawsuit argued that Biden lacked the authority to create the monument under the Antiquities Act and claimed the designation would harm state and local communities by permanently barring uranium mining and complicating land development.

Role in 2020 Election Review Controversy

As Chairman of the Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee, Petersen was involved in a controversial review of Maricopa County's 2020 presidential election results. In December 2020, Petersen, along with Senate President Karen Fann, issued subpoenas for ballots, tabulation machines, and other election materials from Maricopa County. The Senate subsequently contracted Cyber Ninjas, a Florida-based firm with no prior election experience, to conduct what became known as the "Arizona Audit."

The review, which involved a hand recount of nearly 2.1 million ballots, concluded in September 2021 and confirmed Joe Biden's victory in Maricopa County, finding he had actually won by approximately 260 more votes than officially recorded. While the audit team made various allegations about election procedures, county officials demonstrated that these claims resulted from the auditors' lack of understanding of election processes and Arizona election law.

The review, which cost significantly more than the Senate's initial $150,000 contract with Cyber Ninjas, was largely funded by external groups supporting baseless claims of election fraud.