Arizona Attorney General debate between Mayes, Petersen gets heated
Incumbent Kris Mayes and challenger Warren Petersen clashed on election integrity, data centers, and partisan office use in a heated pre-election debate.
- On Wednesday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Republican challenger Warren Petersen debated for the state's top law enforcement office ahead of the November 3, 2026 general election.
- Mayes touted lawsuits against the Trump administration that she said saved the state $2.3 billion, emphasizing her record on consumer protection and efforts to manage utility costs.
- Senate President Warren Petersen cited his nearly 15-year legislative career as evidence of qualification, criticizing Mayes for what he termed a 'sham investigation' and pledging to prioritize election integrity.
- The hour-long debate featured frequent interruptions and personal attacks, with Mayes quipping, "It's too bad that Warren can't do anything but read off of your sheet there," after Petersen relied on notes.
- Voters must register by October 5 to participate in the November 3, 2026 general election, with both candidates competing for support on immigration enforcement and the state's regulatory future.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Attorney general candidates Kris Mayes and Warren Petersen meet in testy debate
The candidates for Arizona attorney general — Democratic incumbent Kris Mayes and Republican Warren Petersen — met Wednesday in a debate so contentious a moderator threatened to cut off their microphones. Petersen and Mayes addressed utility rate hikes, ICE and immigration, data centers, water, Trump lawsuits, election security and more. Watch it below:
Debate Debacle: Poorly PreppedArizona Republican's Hilarious Nosedive
Republican Warren Petersen struggled to make it through the debate against Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes.He "couldn't have shown up LESS prepared to debate tonight," said Democrat American Bridge VP Kelsie Taggart.She posted a supercut of Petersen struggling to speak and looking down at his notes.At one point, Mayes quipped, "It's too bad that Warren can't do anything but read off of your sheet there. But, ya know, we'll go ahead and re…
Arizona Republican ridiculed for belly-flop debate performance
Republican Warren Petersen struggled to make it through the debate against Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes. He "couldn't have shown up LESS prepared to debate tonight," said Democrat AmericanBridge VP Kelsie Taggart.
Arizona Capitol Times
Rose Law Group ReporterMayes, Petersen clash over Trump, ICE in attorney general’s debate
Mayes, the current attorney general, and Petersen, weighed in on the Trump administration, ICE and other issues Wednesday night. The post Mayes, Petersen clash over Trump, ICE in attorney general’s debate first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times.
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