By Phil Riske
Managing Editor, Rose Law Group Reporter
Reportedly a vote behind going into today’s closed-door caucus, last session’s majority leader in the Arizona Senate pulled off an upset over Steve Pierce.
Gilbert Republican Andy Biggs’ win was first reported by Arizona Capitol Times and the Yellow Sheet Report.
The leadership change was aided by Maricopa County Republicans who have called for a change in the House speakership as well.
When several candidates who were expected to support Biggs lost in Tuesday’s eletction, many expected Pierce to seal the deal, Cap Times reported. At the same time, Pierce’s whip, Frank Antoneri of Tucson, was defeated.
Biggs, a fiscal conservative, will be presiding over a smaller and divided caucus.
The activists who are upset with Pierce and House Speaker Andy Tobin had warned of political repercussions if lawmakers didn’t heed their message to dump the two leaders in favor of Biggs as president and Rep. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, as speaker.
Rep. Andy Tobin has been retained as speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, knocking down a challenge from Steve Smith of Maricopa, who was supported by Pinal County Republicans.
Smith ran for the House this year after serving in the Senate.
Update: Sen. John McComish was elected Senate majority leader, and Adam Driggs was chosen as GOP whip.
In the House, David Gowan was elected majority leader.
