The1966 Arizona House of Representatives elections were held on November 8, 1966. Voters elected all 60 members of theArizona House of Representatives in new multi-member districts to serve a two-year term. The elections coincided with the elections for other offices, includingGovernor,U.S. House, andState Senate.
Following the landmarkReynolds v. Sims (1964) US Supreme Court decision, every state had to redraw state electoral districts to be approximately equal in population. BeforeReynolds, the Arizona House consisted of 80 members each elected from a single district; however, districts could not span more than one county, which resulted in population imbalances between House districts. After the ruling, the Arizona House shifted to multi-member electoral districts that could span across counties.[4]
Primary elections were held on September 13, 1966.[5]
Prior to the elections, theDemocrats held a majority of 45 seats over theRepublicans' 35 seats.
Following the elections, Republicans flipped control of the chamber and took a majority of 33 Republicans to 27 Democrats.[b] Since the total number of House members decreased from 80 to 60, both parties saw decreases in membership; however, the Democrats' decline was much more precipitous: Democrats lost 18 seats while Republicans only decreased by two members.[6]
As of August 1, 2023, Republicans have maintained uninterrupted control of the Arizona House of Representatives since the 1966 election.
^Following the landmarkReynolds v. Sims (1964) US Supreme Court decision, every state had to redraw state electoral districts to be approximately equal in population. BeforeReynolds, the Arizona House consisted of 80 members each elected from a single district; however, districts could not span more than one county, which resulted in population imbalances between House districts. After the ruling, the Arizona House shifted to multi-member electoral districts that could span multiple counties.[1]
^abcThe number of House seats decreased from 80 to 60 in this election.
^Turley was elected as Speaker for the 28th legislature, defeating Representative Crosby, who was also nominated for Speaker. The vote tally for Speaker was: Turley-32 votes to Crosby-27 votes. Representative Jay C. Stuckey was absent from the Speaker vote.[7]
^abcdDemocrat Harold L. Huffer was appointed on September 13, 1965 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Democratic Representative Charles W. Sechrist, District 1, Coconino County, Arizona.[8]
^abcdRepublican Albert Faron was appointed on May 31, 1967 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Republican Representative Davidson Jenks, District 8-K, Maricopa County, Arizona.[9]
^abcdDemocrat G. O. "Sonny" Biles was appointed on May 31, 1967 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Democratic Representative Clay B. Simer, District 3, Apache, Greenlee, and Navajo Counties, Arizona.[10]
^abcdDemocrat Sam Lena was sworn-in on January 14, 1965 to fill the vacancy of Democratic Representative Harold L. Cook, District 16, Pima County, Arizona.[11]
