Arizona State Senate Democratic Leadership Offers Unwavering Support of Senator Ortiz Amid Political Targeting

PHOENIX – This week, Senator Analise Ortiz (LD24) fell victim to the political targeting of the vile “Libs of TikTok” account for actions that are well protected under the First Amendment. Arizona State Senate Republicans have taken this opportunity to show how eager they are to disregard the constitution and bend the knee to Trump’s will, with threats of a frivolous ethics complaint, calls to the U.S. Attorney, and a barrage of posts calling for her expulsion. As a result, she has received threats from extremists. On behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the Caucus Leadership Team, Senate Democratic Leader Priya Sundareshan (LD18) released the following statement:

“As an attorney, I can confidently state that Senator Ortiz has the protected constitutional right to warn her community of the areas within our state that could put families at risk of being separated and unjustly removed from the country without due process.

I am happy to work with President Petersen and the U.S. Attorney to clarify to all Arizonans what constitutional rights we still have left in this country. I find it offensive to observe the behavior of other Republican Senators who have piled on to fan these flames, despite their own track records of criminal speeding, felony indictments, and other ethical violations. Under the leadership of these Republicans, the Senate Ethics committee has failed to adopt rules and actively dismissed the legitimately criminal behavior of their own members.

The threats of retribution against Senator Ortiz are nothing more than an authoritarian intimidation tactic by Republicans and contributes to the erosion of our constitutional freedoms. I will always stand with my members and their work to protect their communities and districts against Trump’s unconstitutional actions. In many cases, law enforcement is refusing to identify themselves, wearing masks, and driving in unmarked vehicles. These tactics are the actual threat to public safety.

Senate Democrats will continue to do what is in our power to protect Arizonans from the ever-increasing authoritarianism in our nation and we will not be threatened into silence.”