Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen Enters Attorney General Race, Targets Election Integrity and Redistricting

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has entered the race for Arizona Attorney General, announcing a campaign built on public safety, election integrity, and a direct challenge to the state's current election maps.

Petersen, a Republican who has served at the Phoenix Capitol for 14 years, made the announcement Monday in Yuma. He said his legislative experience has prepared him to take on the state's top law enforcement role.

"I'm ready to take Arizona back to what it should be," Petersen said. "Focus on keeping Arizona safe, defending our laws, protecting Arizonans."

Election integrity becomes campaign centerpiece

Petersen pledged to expand the Election Integrity Unit within the Attorney General's office if elected. He argued the office should play a stronger role in maintaining public trust in Arizona's election system.

The unit's expansion would mark a shift in the office's priorities. Petersen framed the issue as a matter of restoring confidence after years of legal battles over voting procedures and election administration.

Redistricting commission in crosshairs

Petersen also called on Arizona's Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw the state's political maps. He pointed to recent court rulings and legal questions about the use of race in the redistricting process.

"All the maps that use race are unconstitutional," Petersen said. "The redistricting commission did use race as part of its decision making and drawing the lines."

The commission drew Arizona's current congressional and legislative maps after the 2020 census. The maps have faced ongoing legal challenges from Republican lawmakers who argue the process violated the state constitution and federal law.

Contrasting visions for the office

Throughout his announcement, Petersen drew a sharp contrast between his approach and that of the current attorney general. He said he would place greater emphasis on crime and public safety.

"I don't want Arizona to turn into California," Petersen said. "And I feel like the current attorney general is taking us down that path."

Petersen described himself as a lifelong conservative focused on protecting liberty, freedom, and public safety.

November election on the horizon

Arizona voters will choose the state's next attorney general in November 2026. The election comes as the state's political landscape shifts ahead of the 2026 midterms and sets up a potential general election matchup.

Petersen's entry adds another high-profile Republican candidate to a race that will test whether voters want continuity in the Attorney General's office or a shift toward the priorities Petersen outlined in Yuma.