Republicans in the Arizona Legislature are on track to narrowly maintain their decades-long grip on power at the state Capitol following Tuesday's midterm election.

If unofficial results hold, Democrats will fall short in their quest to flip a legislative chamber. They had set their sights on taking control of the state Senate, where Republicans are likely to keep their slim majority.

But the minority party could make historic gains in the House of Representatives, where they will reduce the GOP's majority to 31-29 if they keep current leads in two races.

Democrats will pick up seats in the House due to a handful of upsets. Their candidates are on track to defeat Republicans in swing districts that span east Phoenix, Ahwatukee Foothills and Chandler.

While several key races still are undecided as many votes are still left to count, Republicans held leadership elections for the Legislature's next session on Wednesday.

The next Legislature will begin its session on Jan. 14.



Rusty Bowers to lead House

State Rep. Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, was chosen by his GOP colleagues to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives.

Bowers, who spoke to reporters after he emerged from the closed-door GOP meeting, said the tightly divided chamber will give members of both parties considerable leverage with their votes.

"Every member of either caucus has a great amount of authority and power," he said. "And how we exercise that, the people will be our judge."

Bowers is a professional artist and longtime lawmaker, who returned to the Legislature in 2015. He previously served in the House from 1993 to 1997, and the Arizona Senate from 1997 to 2001, including a stint as majority leader.

He's a colorful character known for his floor speeches; last session, he quoted the lyrics to "Hotel California," the classic rock song by the Eagles, during one lengthy speech.

The Republican House leadership team will include Rep.-elect Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, as majority leader; and Rep. Becky Nutt, R-Clifton, as whip.

READ MORE: When will close races be called? What we know

Republicans currently hold a dominant 35-25 majority in the House. If that majority is narrowed to 31-29, as early returns suggest, it would be the most closely divided chamber in five decades.

Democrats last had a majority in the 60-member House in 1966.

They lost the majority after the Arizona Supreme Court made its "one man, one vote" ruling that required districts to be redrawn based on population, not county lines.

The minority party will hold its leadership elections Thursday morning. Contenders for House minority leader are Rep. Charlene Fernandez, D-Yuma, and Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix.

Karen Fann 2nd woman to lead Senate

Meanwhile, in the Arizona Senate, Sen. Karen Fann, R-Prescott, will lead her GOP colleagues. Despite two close races, Republicans are expected to keep a majority in the upper chamber.

Fann, who owns a company that installs highway guardrails, is the second woman in Arizona history to serve as Senate president. She is preceded by former state Sen. Brenda Burns, who last held the post in 2000.

Fann has been a senator since 2017, and served four years in the House before that. She previously was mayor of the town of Chino Valley and served on the Prescott City Council.

She did not immediately respond to an interview request.

READ MORE: Nearly 650,000 ballots left to count in Arizona

The Republican Senate leadership team will include Sen. Rick Gray, R-Sun City, as majority leader; and Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, as whip.

Democrats in the Senate are expected to pick their leaders on Thursday. Those vying for minority leader include Sen. David Bradley, D-Tucson; and Sen. Martín Quezada, D-Phoenix.

Republicans currently hold a 17-13 majority in the Senate, and early returns suggest they are likely to maintain that grip on power.

Democrats were optimistic they could flip the chamber this year, but have fallen short. They last held a majority in the Senate in 1991-92, and the 30-member chamber was evenly split in 2001-02.

Results still coming in key races

Meanwhile, both parties continued to watch results trickle in for several key races (each district elects one person to the Senate, and two to the House):

District 28, east Phoenix/Paradise Valley

  • Senate: Incumbent Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, extended her slim lead over Democrat Christine Marsh.
  • House: Democrat Aaron Lieberman narrowly led incumbent Rep. Maria Syms, R-Paradise Valley, in a battle for the district's second seat.

District 6, northern/eastern Arizona's mountain country

  • Senate: Incumbent Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, grew her lead over Democrat Wade Carlisle.
  • House: Incumbent Rep. Bob Thorpe, R-Flagstaff, held a narrow lead over Democrat Felicia French in a fight for the district's second seat. Thorpe's edge has steadily grown since late Tuesday.

District 18, Ahwatukee Foothills and parts of Tempe/Chandler

  • House: Democrat Jennifer Jermaine maintains a steady lead over incumbent Rep. Jill Norgaard, R-Phoenix, in a fight for the district's second seat.

District 17, parts of Chandler and Gilbert

  • House: Democrat Jennifer Pawlik clung to a small lead over Republican Nora Ellen in a fight for that district's second seat.
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