House Republicans re-elect Rusty Bowers as Speaker of the House

Photo By John Rhodes: Rusty Bowers speaks at a Graham County Constitution Week picnic in September 2019.

Toma elected Majority Leader, Biasiucci Majority Whip

Contributed Article

PHOENIX – On Thursday, members of the House Republican Caucus of Arizona’s 55th Legislature re-elected Representative Russell “Rusty” Bowers of Mesa to serve as Speaker of the House.

Speaker Bowers has represented Legislative District 25 in the House since 2015.  He previously served in the House from 1993 to 1997 and served in the Arizona Senate from 1997 to 2001, where he was Majority Leader from 1999 to 2001. 

“It is a humbling privilege to be asked by my colleagues to continue in their service as Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Bowers said.  “The support they have shown lifts me each day as I conduct the responsibilities of the office on behalf of the caucus and for the people of Arizona.  How we meet the challenges before us now will define who we are as a state for the future.  Through the application of the conservative principles we share as Republicans, we will ensure the great promise and opportunity for all that Arizona offers.”

The House Republican Caucus also elected Representative Ben Toma of Peoria to be House Majority Leader and Representative Leo Biasiucci of Lake Havasu City as the House Majority Whip.

Majority Leader-elect Toma has served Legislative District 22 in the Arizona House since 2017.

Majority Whip-elect Biasiucci has served Legislative District 5 in the House since 2019.

Speaker Bowers announced that he has appointed Representative Travis Grantham of Gilbert to serve as the Speaker Pro Tempore in the 55th Legislature. Representative Grantham has served Legislative District 12 in the House since 2017.

Speaker Bowers also announced that Michael Hunter will continue as chief of staff for the House of Representatives, a role he has served in since 2016.