The 1966 Arizona Senate election was held on November 8, 1966. Voters elected all 30 members of the Arizona Senate to serve two-year terms. Following the landmark Reynolds v. Sims (1964) US Supreme Court decision, every state had to redraw state electoral districts to be approximately equal in population. Before Reynolds, the Arizona Senate consisted of 28 members with two elected Senators from each of the state's 14 counties. After the ruling, the Arizona Senate shifted to electoral districts.[4]
Primary elections were held on September 13, 1966.[5]
Prior to the elections, the Democrats held a supermajority of 26 seats over the 2 Republican seats.
Following the election, Republicans flipped control of the chamber and took a majority of 16 Republicans to 14 Democrats, a net gain of 14 seats for Republicans.[6]
^Following the landmark Reynolds v. Sims (1964) US Supreme Court decision, every state had to redraw state electoral districts to be approximately equal in population. Before Reynolds, the Arizona Senate consisted of 28 members with two elected Senators from each of the state's 14 counties. After the ruling, the Arizona Senate shifted to electoral districts.[1]
^Senator B. C. Rhodes died on June 21, 1965, during the 3rd Special Session of the 27th Arizona State Legislature. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Mr. George W. Peck, of Phoenix, to succeed Senator Rhodes.[7]
^Senator Tenney was an incumbent who had represented Yavapai County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Spikes was an incumbent who had represented Cochise County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Kitchel was an incumbent who had represented Cochise County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Blansett was an incumbent who had represented Navajo County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Huso was an incumbent who had represented Navajo County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Knoles was an incumbent who had represented Coconino County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Carpenter was an incumbent who had represented Gila County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Thode was an incumbent who had represented Pinal County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Giss was an incumbent who had represented Yuma County in the Senate before the election.
^Senator Conlan was an incumbent who had represented Maricopa County in the Senate before the election.
