WATCH: Candidates for Arizona Attorney General participate in debate ahead of November election

Tucson voters will have an opportunity to watch the candidates seeking to become Arizona’s next attorney general before casting ballots in the Nov. 3 general election. The debate features Democratic incumbent Kris Mayes and Republican state Rep. Warren Petersen, giving residents in Pima County and across Arizona a chance to hear directly from the two major candidates for one of the state’s most prominent legal offices.

The attorney general race is part of a broader effort to put candidates before voters ahead of the November election. The Arizona Clean Elections Commission and the Arizona Media Association are partnering to present debates in several important statewide and federal contests. The full Attorney General debate is available in the video player accompanying the election presentation, allowing voters to watch the candidates’ discussion rather than relying only on campaign material or brief summaries.

Mayes, the Democratic incumbent, is seeking another term in the office. Petersen, a Republican state representative, is challenging her. The debate was held ahead of the general election and is identified as part of the 2026 election cycle. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, making the forum an early opportunity for voters to compare the candidates before the campaign reaches its final stretch.

For Tucson residents, the race matters even though the debate was presented from Phoenix and the candidates are running statewide. The attorney general is elected by voters throughout Arizona, which means the choice made in Pima County contributes to the outcome alongside votes from Maricopa County, the East Valley, northern Arizona and rural communities. Watching the debate can also help Tucson voters evaluate how the candidates present themselves, explain their priorities and respond to questions in a public forum.

The debate takes place against a backdrop of major legal and political disputes in Arizona. The material promoting the event includes a file photograph of protesters outside the state Capitol in Phoenix in September 2022, when demonstrators were objecting to an abortion ruling. At that time, an Arizona judge ruled that the state could enforce a near total abortion ban that had been blocked for nearly 50 years. The law had first been enacted decades before Arizona became a state in 1912.

That history offers important context for the attorney general contest, even though the available debate announcement does not provide a detailed breakdown of the candidates’ answers or positions. The Capitol protest photograph connects the race to a continuing period in which Arizona’s attorney general and other state officials have been involved in highly consequential legal questions. Voters who watch the forum will be able to hear Mayes and Petersen address the issues themselves and decide how those answers fit with their concerns.

The Attorney General debate is one of several candidate forums being offered to Arizona voters. Other scheduled or featured matchups include Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza in the race for Congressional District 6, Republican Kimberly Yee and Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz in the contest for state superintendent of public instruction, and a three way Arizona Corporation Commission debate involving Republican Kevin Thompson and Democrats Jonathon Hill and Clara Pratte.

The debate program was highlighted among the state’s top stories and videos for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. That day’s coverage also included reports about storms in parts of Arizona, cooler temperatures that still reached 99 degrees, evening storm threats, gusty winds, blowing dust and the possibility of additional moisture from Hurricane Polo. Those weather concerns were separate from the election forum, but they underscored the range of issues competing for residents’ attention as the November vote approaches.

The same daily roundup also pointed to other topics, including reports about speculation surrounding Kamala Harris’ presidential plans, continuing debate over artificial intelligence during China’s leader’s visit to the United States, and the closure of Tempe Tavern. The East Valley bar reportedly shut down after controversies in recent years involving allegations of underage drinking, according to an attorney representing the establishment. None of those matters are part of the Attorney General debate, but they were included in the broader list of Arizona news and videos promoted alongside it.

For Tucson voters, the immediate next step is to watch the full Mayes and Petersen debate and use it as one piece of information when preparing for the Nov. 3 election. The forum does not replace reviewing the ballot or learning about other statewide and local contests, but it provides a direct look at the candidates competing for Arizona’s top legal office. With additional debates featuring candidates for Congress, public instruction and the Corporation Commission, the Clean Elections Commission and Arizona Media Association are giving voters several opportunities to hear from contenders before Election Day.