Phoenix – Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, the current House minority leader, told reporters that if he becomes speaker of the Arizona House, the most important goal will be lowering costs for working families. He added that the recent election results are not a blanket mandate for Democrats, especially in a state where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by roughly 300,000.
Coalition‑building over partisanship
De Los Santos emphasized a willingness to work with members of any party. “Republicans are welcome in our coalition. Independents are welcome in our coalition because what we’re doing is not a partisan task. It is an Arizona‑first approach,” he said. “We are willing to work with any person of any party at any time to get good things done for the people of Arizona. That is our singular focus.”
Day‑one priorities
Beyond cost‑of‑living concerns, De Los Santos outlined several immediate objectives should he assume the speakership. He said Democrats plan to target institutional investors he believes are driving up home prices across the Valley. He also highlighted protecting Arizona’s water supply, placing limits on the expansion of data centers, and adding guardrails to the state’s universal school voucher program.
Potential historic shift
If elected speaker, De Los Santos would become the first Democrat to hold the position in six decades. The party’s recent gains have put Arizona among five states where Democrats could control the governor’s office, the state Senate and the state House after a nationwide blue wave reshaped the political landscape in this week’s election. Such a trifecta would give Arizona Democrats significant influence over state policy and law.
Balancing the mandate
While celebrating the party’s momentum, De Los Santos cautioned that the election does not grant an open‑ended mandate. He noted the numerical advantage held by registered Republicans and urged a collaborative approach that respects the diverse political makeup of the electorate.
Community impact
Lowering costs for working families could affect a broad range of issues, from housing affordability to utility rates and school‑choice options. By addressing data‑center growth, the speaker‑candidate also seeks to protect the state’s natural resources and ensure that new technology projects do not overwhelm local infrastructure.
Arizona residents will be watching the upcoming speaker vote closely, as the outcome will shape the legislative agenda for the next two years. De Los Santos’ emphasis on bipartisan cooperation and cost‑of‑living relief aligns with the concerns voiced by many Arizonans who are looking for practical solutions rather than partisan grandstanding.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
