GOP leaders say they’ll keep control of Ariz. Legislature

PHOENIX – Republicans who were worried about Democrats taking control of one or both chambers of the Arizona Legislature for the first time in nearly 30 years on Election Day were increasingly confident Thursday they may have fended off the efforts.

With a series of tight races still too early to call, the GOP leaders of the House and Senate both said it appears likely they will maintain control.

The Senate is currently split 17-13 for Republicans, and only one seat appears lost for them, although late vote counts could change that situation. In the House, now split 31-29 for the GOP, it appears to be a stalemate, with each party knocking off one seat and picking up another.

“We look like we’ll be OK with at least 16-14 and we’re holding out and still hoping for a 17-13 like we’ve had the past two years,” Senate President Karen Fann said Thursday. “It was nothing short of a miracle in some respects,” she said, noting that Democrats funded in part by national groups poured nearly $10 million into their effort.

Fann was reelected to lead Republicans in a caucus vote Wednesday, and she will remain Senate president if the vote counts hold. Democrats in both the House and Senate postponed their leadership elections until next week.

House Speaker Rusty Bowers beat back a challenge to his leadership post from Rep. Mark Finchem in a caucus meeting late Thursday afternoon. Before members met to choose their leaders, he said he expected to be victorious.

“I am confident that the people who have given their support to me will be there in sufficient numbers,” Bowers said. Finchem didn’t return messages seeking comment.

Bowers credited GOP efforts to turn out their voters to the apparent success in retaining hold of the House.