Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R) is projected to win the Republican nomination for Arizona attorney general, according to Decision Desk HQ projections. Petersen defeated primary challenger Rodney Glassman in Tuesday's Republican primary.
Petersen has served as the top Senate Republican since 2023 and previously chaired the Arizona Senate Elections Committee during its examination of the 2020 election results. In March, he complied with a federal grand jury subpoena and provided records pertaining to the 2020 elections to the FBI.
The incumbent Democrat in the race is Attorney General Kris Mayes, who will face Petersen in the November general election. Mayes won the attorney general seat by fewer than 500 votes in the 2022 midterm election against Republican Abe Hamadeh.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican officials have defended Petersen's compliance with the grand jury subpoena, arguing that cooperating with federal investigations is the proper course of action for any public official. Supporters say this demonstrates his respect for the rule of law.
GOP strategists note that Petersen enters the race with significant institutional advantages as a current legislative leader with established name recognition across the state. Party loyalists have pointed to his conservative voting record as evidence he would pursue Republican priorities in the attorney general's office.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic supporters of Kris Mayes argue that Petersen's cooperation with the FBI subpoena could become a central issue in the general election campaign. Mayes' allies have pointed to her office's previous investigations into election-related matters as evidence of her commitment to election integrity.
Progressive groups note that Mayes has positioned herself as a moderate Democrat willing to work across party lines on issues like border security and water policy, which they believe could appeal to swing voters in the general election.
What the Numbers Show
Petersen has served as Arizona Senate president since January 2023, overseeing a chamber where Republicans hold an 16-14 majority.
In the 2022 attorney general race, Mayes won by approximately 280 votes out of more than 1.6 million cast against Hamadeh, making it one of the closest statewide races in recent Arizona history.
Arizona has not elected a Republican attorney general since 2017.
The Bottom Line
The November matchup will test whether Petersen's conservative credentials and name recognition can overcome Mayes' incumbency advantage. The race is expected to be competitive given how narrowly Mayes won her first term.
Petersen's handling of the FBI subpoena may emerge as a point of contention during the campaign, with both parties likely to frame his actions through their respective political lenses.