Arizona voters will decide who becomes the state’s chief law‑enforcement officer on Nov. 3. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is challenged by Republican Senate President Warren Petersen, who carries the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Below is a practical guide to each candidate’s record, policy priorities, and the election timeline.

Candidate backgrounds

Kris Mayes was elected attorney general in 2022 after serving on the Arizona Corporation Commission as a Republican, teaching at Arizona State University, and working as a journalist. She is the second woman and the first mother to hold the office. Mayes’ campaign has raised $4.6 million and is backed by labor groups such as the AFL‑CIO, Ironworkers Local 75, pro‑life advocates, and environmental organizations including the Sierra Club.

Warren Petersen has served in the state legislature since 2012 and is currently president of the Arizona Senate, representing District 14 in Gilbert and parts of Queen Creek. A longtime real‑estate broker, Petersen’s campaign committee, Friends of Warren Petersen, has raised $1.8 million. He is endorsed by President Trump, Rep. Andy Biggs, the Arizona Police Association, a small‑business PAC, and a political action group funded by private‑prison operator GEO Group.

Key policy positions

Mayes emphasizes consumer protection, having pursued fraud cases and challenged utility rate hikes tied to data‑center costs. She also supports robust election‑integrity measures, though critics note her past criticism of ICE agents and her comments on “Stand Your Ground” law sparked controversy with Governor Katie Hobbs.

Petersen frames his campaign as a fight to keep Arizona “safe, free and prosperous,” warning against a California‑style trajectory. He pledges to defend the Constitution, combat crime, and root out fraud, waste, and corruption. Legislative achievements include limiting public pensions for officials who overspend and requiring localities to consider personal‑property rights when zoning changes occur.

Endorsements and criticisms

President Trump’s endorsement of Petersen underscores the candidate’s alignment with the administration’s priorities, including a willingness to cooperate with federal investigations. Petersen also received backing from law‑enforcement and business‑oriented groups.

Mayes enjoys support from labor, reproductive‑rights, and environmental advocates. She faced criticism from Governor Hobbs and some Republican lawmakers after questioning federal ICE agents’ local policing and raising concerns about un‑uniformed officers.

Campaign finance highlights

Mayes’ campaign has raised $4.6 million, while Petersen’s has collected $1.8 million. Notably, a July report revealed a $600,000 contribution to Petersen’s supporting PAC, Restore Order Arizona, from a mobile‑home park operator that Mayes has sued over unsafe electrical conditions.

Election logistics

Key dates for voters:

• Oct. 23 – Last day to request a mail‑in ballot
• Oct. 27 – Recommended deadline to return mail‑in ballots
• Nov. 3 – Election Day

Voter registration and verification can be completed through the Pima County Recorder’s Office or the Arizona Secretary of State’s website.

Local issue spotlight: Manufactured‑home residents

Manufactured homes provide affordable housing for many Arizonans, yet residents often face utility overcharges and power‑outage risks. Mayes’ office sued BoaVida Group, alleging dangerous electrical conditions at Tucson’s Redwood Mobile Home Park. Petersen has not offered a detailed plan on this issue, but his broader pledge to protect property rights suggests a focus on regulatory reform.

Both candidates say they will work to ensure safe, reliable utilities for all Arizonans, but their approaches differ: Mayes favors aggressive consumer‑protection litigation, while Petersen emphasizes legislative reforms that limit government overreach.

What voters should consider

When deciding between Mayes and Petersen, consider how each candidate’s record aligns with your values on law‑enforcement integrity, consumer protection, property rights, and cooperation with the Trump administration’s agenda. Their fundraising totals, endorsements, and stances on local issues such as manufactured‑home safety provide concrete data points for an informed choice.

Make sure to vote or request a mail‑in ballot before the deadlines. Your participation helps shape Arizona’s legal landscape for years to come.

Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.