Senate Republicans chose Andy Biggs of Gilbert this afternoon to be the new president.
Tuesday's results left Republicans with just 17 seats, down three from last election. And Biggs edged out incumbent Steve Pierce. Biggs, who had been majority leader, is perceived as being somewhat more conservative on fiscal issues than Pierce. But the new president was loath to spell out how things will be different under his leadership -- other than to say he will consider the views of all elected Republicans.
"It's a little early to be saying I'm going to be doing this change or that change," Biggs said. "But what my intention is is that we want to be very inclusive with our members. We have fewer members as you know. We have disparate districts that we represent. We want to make sure that everybody can have a say and participate with them."
And Biggs said that does not exclude the Democrats, who now have 13 members.
"I also have an excellent relationship with most of the Democrats that have been there."
There was no such major change in the House where the Republicans reelected Andy Tobin of Paulden as the speaker for the next two years.