By Julia Shumway | Arizona Capitol Times
Arizona Senate President Pro Tempore Eddie Farnsworth, the influential Republican leader who’s held an iron grip over criminal justice legislation for the better part of two decades, will not seek re-election.
Farnsworth announced at a Thursday night meeting of Legislative District 12 Republicans that he plans to retire, House Majority Leader Warren Petersen said. Petersen plans to run for Senate, while Queen Creek Town Council member Jake Hoffman will seek Petersen’s spot in the House.
Petersen, a former state senator who swapped seats with Farnsworth last year when they both hit term limits in their respective chambers, said Farnsworth told him he wouldn’t run for re-election weeks ago.
“I would not have run in a primary against him,” Petersen said. “Farnsworth is one of the best legislators we have ever had.”
Farnsworth was first elected to the House in 2000 and served for eight years, including a stint as majority leader from 2003 to 2004. He tried to switch to the Senate after hitting his term limits in 2008 but lost the GOP primary.
(Subscriber Content)
