The Arizona Republican Party named State Senator Justine Wadsack (R-Tuscon) as its Freshman Senator of the Year for making history by seeing an unprecedented number of her proposed bills pass through the Arizona State Senate.
In a single year, Wadsack was successful in promoting pieces of legislation that attracted national notice and addressed important issues for Arizonans, including water supply, education, and child protection.
Wadsack (pictured above) passed over 30 bills out of the State Senate this legislative session, with 10 going to the governor’s desk and Governor Katie Hobbs signing four into law.
Bills Wadsack championed include Senate Bill (SB) 1400 to integrate noncredit workforce training enrollment into the community colleges’ expenditure calculations, SB 1413, requiring a city, county, or town to inform an owner to remove a homeless encampment once they became aware of its existence, SB 1432 directing municipalities to supply water to household lacking sufficient access, and SB 1698 enhancing legal protection for children by criminalizing exposure to adult-oriented performances.
According to the Arizona Republican Party, Arizona is lucky to have Wadsack as one of its leaders.
“Senator Wadsack has persistently fought for common sense laws that benefit all Arizonans, not just those in her district. Her achievements reflect her ability to work effectively across party lines, embodying the true spirit of bipartisan collaboration. Arizona is fortunate to have such a freedom-loving fighter as one of our leaders,” the Arizona Republican Party said.
Wadsack replied by saying, “I am honored.”
State Senator Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) called this “[w]ell deserved.”
“She works and works. Justine Wadsack freakin’ never lets up. Naysayers hound her. Trolls berate her. Yet she just comes back stronger because her constituents love her,” Rogers said.
State Representative Rachel Jones (R-Tucson) said she is thrilled about Wadsacks accomplishments this session.
“I am so proud of this woman! It’s an honor serving with her!” Jones said.
State Representative Cory McGarr (R-Tucson) also applauded Wadsack’s accomplishments saying “Great job this session.”
Voters elected Wadsack in 2022 to serve in the Arizona State Senate, representing District 17 as a member of the Republican Party. Wadsack defeated incumbent State Senator Vince Leach in the Republican primary.
Before running for office, Wadsack was a real estate agent and political activist. She first filed to run for office in 2019, and in 2020 unsuccessfully sought election to the U.S. Congress and Arizona State Senate.
According to Wadsack, she is already preparing for the next legislative session by outlining her priorities and beginning to craft legislation for introduction in the Senate.
Wadsack said she plans to focus on the issues of human trafficking, the homeless population, the fentanyl crisis, and mental illness in Arizona during the next legislative session.
The Arizona Sun Times reached out to Wadsack for comment but did not receive one before press time.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star, The Star News Network, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Justine Wadsack” and Background Photo “Arizona State Senate Chamber” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 3.0.
