Petersen jumps to early lead in GOP race for AZ attorney general nomination

Warren Petersen took an early lead over Rodney Glassman in the Republican primary for Arizona attorney general. Early ballots counted before Election Day showed Petersen with nearly 58% of the vote.

The campaign has focused on which candidate has the experience needed to serve as Arizona’s top legal officer. Petersen, the state Senate president, has pointed to his experience in a criminal courtroom. Glassman has said Petersen’s courtroom work came during an internship with the Scottsdale City Attorney’s Office, before Petersen was licensed to practice law.

Petersen has also described himself as the Legislature’s “de facto attorney general” because he is the plaintiff in several lawsuits involving the Republican-controlled Legislature. He is not the attorney representing those cases in court.

Glassman has faced questions about his past political affiliations. He was elected to the Tucson City Council as a Democrat in 2007, ran against U.S. Sen. John McCain in 2010, and registered as a Republican in 2015. Petersen has faced criticism for his role in the 2020 election review and for proposing changes to spousal maintenance court rules after his divorce. The winner will face Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who also does not have trial experience.