Politics

Priya Sundareshan Elected President of Arizona Senate as Democrats Gain Full Control

By Gokul Ankari

Indian‑American state senator Priya Sundareshan, 42, has been elected president of the Arizona Senate. The election comes as Democrats have secured control of both legislative chambers and the governor’s office, marking the first time in 60 years that the party holds all three major state positions. Sundareshan, who has served three terms in the Senate and was the minority leader in the outgoing chamber, said the party’s victory carries a responsibility to deliver tangible changes for voters. "Wherever you live and whoever you voted for, we're here to work for you," she told reporters. She added that voters have opened the door to historic change and urged Democrats to focus on their duties. "Our responsibility is to make sure they feel that change in their daily lives. Let's get to work," Sundareshan said. She also described the election outcome as a rejection of what she called “MAGA extremism” promoted by Republicans in Arizona. Born in Tucson, Sundareshan is of Indian‑American descent. Before her political career, she taught natural resources law at the University of Arizona and worked with the Environmental Defence Fund, advocating sustainable management of natural resources. She has also been involved in voting‑rights initiatives, leading voter‑protection efforts and working on redistricting within the Arizona Democratic Party. Sundareshan earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006, and later received a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in natural resource economics from the University of Arizona in 2011.