Petersen, Warren

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
Attorney General
Political Affiliation:
Republican
Age:
49
Occupation:
AZ Senate President
Education:
Bachelors and J.D. from ASU
Family:
Married with children
Religion:
Christian
Biographical Info:

Warren Petersen, a third-generation Gilbert resident and Gilbert High graduate, earned his bachelor’s and J.D. from ASU. He has served in the Arizona Legislature since 2012, holding key leadership roles including House Majority Leader, Rules Chair, Judiciary Chair, Ethics Committee member, and current Senate President.

A lifelong advocate for limited government, low taxes, free markets, and individual rights, Petersen has championed fiscally conservative policies, religious freedom, Second Amendment protections, and crime victims’ rights. He led efforts to defend state laws, including keeping men out of women’s sports and opposing unconstitutional mandates.

Honored with the Silver Beaver Award for youth service and multiple recognitions for protecting freedoms, Petersen is a proven conservative leader.

Statement:

I will restore the Attorney General’s office to its core mission: fighting crime, rooting out corruption, securing our elections and defending our Constitution. Under AG Kris Mayes it has drifted too far into partisan and woke politics. With over a decade of broad legal experience, I have served as Judiciary/Rules Chairman and now Senate President—giving me unmatched constitutional expertise among the candidates. When Mayes failed to uphold the law, I stepped up to defend it. I have managed over 110 cases or amicus briefs, including high-profile matters like the Save Women’s Sports Act that reached the U.S. Supreme Court (Doe v. Warren Petersen) and a law that protected AZ from sex offenders.

My primary opponent has switched parties three times. I am the only lifelong Republican in the primary who has won an election. Already leading a major branch of government, my proven blend of legal acumen and executive leadership prepares me to run the office effectively from day one. I am the only candidate endorsed by conservative Attorneys General, County Attorneys, Sheriffs, law enforcement leaders, and our next governor, Trump endorsed Andy Biggs. They recognize my strong conservative record on policy, leadership, and legal experience. I respectfully ask for your vote. Visit petersenforag.com to view all endorsements.

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation
Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Enacting state-level restrictions on firearm ownership beyond current Arizona law. O* I am the only candidate endorsed by Gun Owners of America and A+ rated by the NRA.
2. Adding sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in Arizona nondiscrimination statutes. O
3. Expanding state-level enforcement efforts to deter illegal border crossings. S* I cosponsored the Secure the Border Act which was overwhelmingly passed by the voters.
4. Prohibiting taxpayer funds from directly or indirectly funding abortion services, except where required by federal law. S* I have a perfect pro-life record and have been recognized for protecting life, family and religious freedom.
5. Maintaining the universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program without limiting eligibility. S* I am well recognized as a champion of school choice.
6. Legalizing physician-assisted suicide for individuals seeking end-of-life assistance, regardless of terminal illness. O
7. Allowing licensed counselors to provide therapy to minors seeking to reduce or manage same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria, with parental consent. S* I joined a multi state amicus brief in support of the 1st amendment for Chiles v. Salazar which recently was decided 8-1 at the Supreme Court.
8. Increasing criminal penalties for the sale and distribution of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. S* I have a long track record of combating illegal drugs, including during my tenure as judiciary chairman.
9. Requiring stronger age verification and parental consent protections for minors accessing social media platforms and downloading mobile applications. S* I have a long history of voting for laws to achieve this.
10. Increasing criminal penalties for individuals who purchase sex. S
11. Requiring election procedures that ensure voter identification verification and ballot security. S* I am currently defending our laws in court to make sure only citizens vote in our elections. See Mi Familia v. Warren Petersen.
12. Enacting a legislative referral that would ask voters to repeal Arizona Proposition 139, the constitutional right to abortion. S
13. Expanding current marijuana laws to increase accessibility to recreational marijuana for adults. O