2016 Arizona Senate election
The 2016 Arizona Senate election was held on November 8, 2016. Voters elected members of the Arizona Senate in all 30 of the state's legislative districts to serve a two-year term. Primary elections were held on August 30, 2016.[4]
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All 30 seats of the Arizona Senate 16 seats needed for a majority  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Arizona | 
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Prior to the elections, the Republicans held a majority of 18 seats over the Democrats' 12 seats. Note that, following the 2014 Arizona Senate election, Republicans held only 17 seats; however, Senator Carlyle Begay switched parties during his term in office, which increased Republicans from 17 to 18 in the Arizona Senate by election day in 2016.[lower-alpha 1]
Following the election, Republicans maintained control of the chamber with 17 Republicans to 13 Democrats, a net gain of one seat for Democrats.[5]
The newly elected senators served in the 53rd Arizona State Legislature.
Retiring Incumbents
    
    Democrats
    
- District 4: Lynne Pancrazi
 - District 26: Andrew Sherwood[lower-alpha 2]
 
Republicans
    
- District 1: Steve Pierce
 - District 5: Sue Donahue[lower-alpha 3]
 - District 7: Carlyle W. Begay[lower-alpha 1]
 - District 12: Andy Biggs
 - District 13: Don Shooter
 - District 28: Adam Driggs
 
Incumbent Defeated in Primary Elections
    
    Republican
    
- District 18: Jeff Dial
 
Incumbent Defeated in General Elections
    
    Democrat
    
- District 8: Barbara McGuire
 
Summary of Results by Arizona State Legislative District
    
Detailed Results
    
| District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 | 
District 1
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Karen Fann | 32,746 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 32,746 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Karen Fann | 87,011 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 87,011 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 2
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrea Dalessandro (incumbent) | 13,765 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 13,765 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Shelley Kais | 10,778 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 10,778 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrea Dalessandro (incumbent) | 39,693 | 59.46% | |
| Republican | Shelley Kais | 27,066 | 40.54% | |
| Total votes | 66,759 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 3
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Olivia Cajero Bedford (incumbent) | 14,578 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 14,578 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Olivia Cajero Bedford (incumbent) | 48,887 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 48,887 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 4
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lisa Otondo | 8,070 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 8,070 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lisa Otondo | 37,668 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 37,668 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 5
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sonny Borrelli | 13,911 | 52.67% | |
| Republican | Ron Gould | 12,503 | 47.33% | |
| Total votes | 26,414 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sonny Borrelli | 62,615 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 62,615 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 6
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nikki Check Bagley | 13,473 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 13,473 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sylvia Tenney Allen (incumbent) | 19,926 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 19,926 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sylvia Tenney Allen (incumbent) | 49,318 | 50.91% | |
| Democratic | Nikki Check Bagley | 47,557 | 49.09% | |
| Total votes | 96,875 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 7
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jamescita Peshlakai | 11,774 | 53.59% | |
| Democratic | Steven Begay | 10,198 | 46.41% | |
| Total votes | 21,972 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libertarian | Barry Keaveney[lower-alpha 6] | 28 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 28 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jamescita Peshlakai | 54,421 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 54,421 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
District 8
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Barbara McGuire (incumbent) | 9,361 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 9,361 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Pratt | 11,669 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 11,669 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Pratt | 32,366 | 53.10% | |
| Democratic | Barbara McGuire (incumbent) | 28,585 | 46.90% | |
| Total votes | 60,951 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
District 9
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Farley (incumbent) | 20,784 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 20,784 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Farley (incumbent) | 68,109 | 99.50% | |
| Republican | Mark Spear[lower-alpha 7] | 344 | 0.50% | |
| Total votes | 68,453 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 10
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David Bradley (incumbent) | 19,580 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 19,580 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Randall Phelps | 17,598 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 17,598 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David Bradley (incumbent) | 50,850 | 53.88% | |
| Republican | Randall Phelps | 43,526 | 46.12% | |
| Total votes | 94,376 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 11
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ralph Atchue | 13,250 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 13,250 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Smith (incumbent) | 23,685 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 23,685 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Smith (incumbent) | 59,475 | 59.56% | |
| Democratic | Ralph Atchue | 40,390 | 40.44% | |
| Total votes | 99,865 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 12
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Elizabeth Brown | 7,200 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 7,200 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Warren Petersen | 14,334 | 55.39% | |
| Republican | Jimmy Lindblom | 11,544 | 44.61% | |
| Total votes | 25,878 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Warren Petersen | 69,356 | 65.10% | |
| Democratic | Elizabeth Brown | 37,178 | 34.90% | |
| Total votes | 106,534 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 13
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Montenegro[lower-alpha 4] | 12,943 | 60.40% | |
| Republican | Diane Landis | 8,486 | 39.60% | |
| Total votes | 21,429 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Montenegro[lower-alpha 4] | 62,124 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 62,124 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 14
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jaime Alvarez | 11,714 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 11,714 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gail Griffin (incumbent) | 23,035 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 23,035 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gail Griffin (incumbent) | 54,084 | 62.66% | |
| Democratic | Jaime Alvarez | 32,229 | 37.34% | |
| Total votes | 86,313 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 15
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tonya K. MacBeth | 8,718 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 8,718 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nancy Barto (incumbent) | 20,444 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 20,444 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nancy Barto (incumbent) | 62,691 | 63.26% | |
| Democratic | Tonya K. MacBeth | 36,414 | 36.74% | |
| Total votes | 99,105 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 16
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Scott Prior | 7,675 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 7,675 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Christian Farnsworth (incumbent) | 19,605 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 19,605 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Christian Farnsworth (incumbent) | 56,096 | 65.02% | |
| Democratic | Scott Prior | 30,180 | 34.98% | |
| Total votes | 86,276 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 17
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Weichert | 9,489 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 9,489 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Yarbrough (incumbent) | 19,052 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 19,052 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Steve Yarbrough (incumbent) | 54,454 | 56.65% | |
| Democratic | Steve Weichert | 41,676 | 43.35% | |
| Total votes | 96,130 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 18
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sean Bowie | 13,098 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 13,098 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Schmuck | 11,483 | 53.43% | |
| Republican | Jeff Dial (incumbent) | 10,008 | 46.57% | |
| Total votes | 21,491 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sean Bowie | 53,962 | 51.44% | |
| Republican | Frank Schmuck | 50,935 | 48.56% | |
| Total votes | 104,897 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
District 19
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lupe Chavira Contreras (incumbent) | 6,692 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 6,692 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lupe Chavira Contreras (incumbent) | 38,817 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 38,817 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 20
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Larry Herrera | 9,039 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 9,039 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kimberly Yee (incumbent) | 16,465 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 16,465 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kimberly Yee (incumbent) | 40,122 | 50.13% | |
| Democratic | Larry Herrera | 28,987 | 36.22% | |
| Independent | Doug "Q" Quelland | 10,928 | 13.65% | |
| Total votes | 80,037 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 21
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Debbie Lesko (incumbent)[lower-alpha 5] | 20,029 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 20,029 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Debbie Lesko (incumbent)[lower-alpha 5] | 64,404 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 64,404 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 22
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Muscato | 10,985 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 10,985 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Judy Burges (incumbent) | 28,212 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 28,212 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Judy Burges (incumbent) | 71,863 | 65.04% | |
| Democratic | Michael Muscato | 38,620 | 34.95% | |
| Independent | Pat White[lower-alpha 7] | 13 | 0.01% | |
| Total votes | 110,496 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 23
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Kavanagh (incumbent) | 27,782 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 27,782 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Kavanagh (incumbent) | 88,099 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 88,099 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 24
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Katie Hobbs (incumbent) | 12,601 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 12,601 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Katie Hobbs (incumbent) | 54,351 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 54,351 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 25
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Worsley (incumbent) | 23,460 | 97.58% | |
| Republican | Itasca Small[lower-alpha 6] | 582 | 2.42% | |
| Total votes | 24,042 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Worsley (incumbent) | 69,914 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 69,914 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 26
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Juan Jose Mendez | 6,488 | 74.87% | |
| Democratic | David Lucier | 2,178 | 25.13% | |
| Total votes | 8,666 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libertarian | Chris Will[lower-alpha 6] | 44 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 44 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Juan Jose Mendez | 40,995 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 40,995 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 27
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Catherine Miranda (incumbent) | 6,049 | 56.04% | |
| Democratic | Maritza Miranda Saenz | 4,746 | 43.96% | |
| Total votes | 10,795 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Angel Torres[lower-alpha 6] | 8 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 8 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Catherine Miranda (incumbent) | 40,085 | 81.04% | |
| Green | Angel Torres | 9,381 | 18.96% | |
| Total votes | 49,466 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 28
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Eric Meyer | 13,724 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 13,724 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kate Brophy McGee | 20,258 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 20,258 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kate Brophy McGee | 50,436 | 51.17% | |
| Democratic | Eric Meyer | 48,124 | 48.83% | |
| Total votes | 98,560 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 29
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Martín Quezada (incumbent) | 4,661 | 66.17% | |
| Democratic | Lydia Hernández | 2,383 | 33.83% | |
| Total votes | 7,044 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Crystal Nuttle | 4,059 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 4,059 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Martín Quezada (incumbent) | 29,638 | 68.52% | |
| Republican | Crystal Nuttle | 13,615 | 31.48% | |
| Total votes | 43,253 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 30
    
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert Meza (incumbent) | 7,118 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 7,118 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Lyon | 5,154 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 5,154 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert Meza (incumbent) | 27,941 | 66.38% | |
| Republican | John Lyon | 14,152 | 33.62% | |
| Total votes | 42,093 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
- Senator Carlyle Begay changed political party affiliation on November 23, 2015, from Democrat to Republican.[7]
 - Democrat Andrew Sherwood was sworn in November 5, 2015 to replace Democratic Senator Ed Ableser who resigned on September 30, 2015.[10]
 - Republican Sue Donahue was sworn in January 7, 2016 to replace Republican Senator Kelli Ward who resigned on December 15, 2015.[6]
 - Republican Sine Kerr was sworn in January 8, 2018 to replace Republican Senator Steve Montenegro who resigned on December 15, 2017.[8]
 - Republican Rick Gray was sworn in January 19, 2018 to replace Republican Senator Debbie Lesko who resigned on January 8, 201.[9]
 - Was a write-in candidate in the primary election.
 - Was a write-in candidate in the general election.
 
References
    
- "2015, Journal of the Senate, State of Arizona, Fifty-Second Legislature, 1st Regular Session". Arizona Secretary of State.
 - "2017, Journal of the Senate, State of Arizona, Fifty-Third Legislature, 1st Regular Session". Arizona Secretary of State.
 - "This man decides what bills live or die in the Arizona Legislature: New Senate President Steve Yarbrough brings a quiet demeanor and a devotion to school choice to the office". The Arizona Republic.
 - "2016 State of Arizona official canvass, primary election". Arizona Secretary of State.
 - "2016 State of Arizona official canvass, general election". Arizona Secretary of State.
 - "Supervisors pick Donahue to fill Ward's vacant seat". The Kingman Daily Miner.
 - "Arizona lawmaker Carlyle Begay switches parties". The Arizona Republic.
 - "Board appoints new Arizona state senator to replace Montenegro". KPNX.
 - "Rick Gray to replace Debbie Lesko, represent West Valley in Arizona Senate". The Arizona Republic.
 - "State Rep. Andrew Sherwood named Tempe's state senator". The Arizona Republic.
 

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