Frank Carroll

Frank Carroll is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Arizona State Senate, representing District 28. A member of the Republican Party, he has been in office since January 9, 2023. Prior to his tenure in the state senate, Carroll served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, representing House District 22. His political career has been marked by a focus on conservative values, and he has been involved in various legislative initiatives reflecting his political beliefs.

Early life and career

Frank Carroll was born in Chicago, Illinois, before relocating to Arizona. His early involvement in politics began at the grassroots level within the Arizona Republican Party, where he took on roles such as precinct captain and precinct committeeman. Carroll identifies as a "Christian constitutional conservative," a designation that reflects his alignment with certain ideological principles within the Republican Party.

Carroll's political career took a significant step forward in 2018 when he was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 22. This district had recently become available due to the resignation of State Representative Phil Lovas, who left to accept a position in the Trump administration. Following Lovas's departure, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Ben Toma to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Lovas's term. Carroll, then a Republican precinct committeeman, ran in the 2017 Republican primary election against Toma, business owner Matt Bullock, and former Maricopa County Community College District member John Heep. Both Carroll and Toma emerged from the primary to compete in the general election, where they successfully defeated their Democratic opponents.

In the subsequent election cycle of 2020, Carroll and Toma were both reelected to their positions in the Arizona House of Representatives. Following the 2020 redistricting process, Carroll and Toma, along with other Republican legislators, found themselves drawn into Legislative District 28, which encompasses areas including Sun City, Sun City West, much of Peoria, and portions of north Phoenix. Carroll had already declared his candidacy for the Arizona State Senate seat for this district, which allowed him to avoid a primary contest with Toma, who opted to move to District 27. Carroll won the Republican primary in August 2022 and subsequently secured victory in the November 2022 general election.

Legislative service

Carroll's legislative service has been characterized by his alignment with far-right, self-identified Christian conservative lawmakers in Arizona. He is a member of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, an organization that opposes same-sex marriage and advocates for anti-abortion legislation. Throughout his time in office, Carroll has sponsored and supported various pieces of legislation that reflect these values.

In 2021, Carroll was part of a group of state House Republicans who introduced legislation aimed at classifying abortion as "1st-degree premeditated murder." This controversial measure sought to compel local prosecutors to file charges against both women who receive abortions and the medical professionals who provide them. The proposal faced significant opposition from Democrats and abortion rights advocates, who criticized it as extreme.

In addition to his stance on social issues, Carroll has also been involved in bipartisan efforts. For instance, in 2019, he supported the appropriation of $20 million to construct a bridge over Tonto Creek in response to a deadly flood, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate across party lines on infrastructure matters.

Carroll's political activities have also included questioning the validity of the 2020 presidential election results. After Donald Trump's defeat, he was among the Republicans who expressed skepticism regarding the election outcome and supported attempts to challenge the results. In December 2020, Carroll signed an amicus brief backing the State of Texas's unsuccessful effort to overturn the election results. His continued questioning of the election's integrity extended into 2022, and he sponsored legislation that would allow the Arizona Legislature to allocate only two of the state's electoral votes to the candidate who received the most votes, rather than the full slate.

In 2023, Carroll introduced legislation aimed at purging Arizona's voter rolls every decade, starting in 2031. This proposal would require all registered voters in the state, numbering approximately 4.2 million at the time, to re-register every ten years. The bill, which faced criticism from the Arizona Association of Counties for potentially violating federal law, passed the Elections Committee along party lines but was met with opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans.

Carroll has also been active in advocating for gun rights. In 2022 and 2023, he introduced legislation to prevent the State of Arizona from contracting with businesses that discriminate against firearm manufacturers or the National Rifle Association. This initiative was modeled after similar legislation enacted in Texas and aimed at addressing financial institutions that opted not to work with gun manufacturers following mass shootings. Although the Arizona legislature passed the bill in 2023, it was ultimately vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs, who criticized the focus on such measures instead of addressing pressing state challenges.

Policy focus and district

As a member of the Arizona State Senate, Carroll represents District 28, which includes communities such as Sun City, Sun City West, and parts of Peoria and north Phoenix. His policy focus reflects a commitment to conservative principles, particularly in areas related to social issues, election integrity, and gun rights. Carroll's legislative actions often align with the interests of far-right constituents and organizations, particularly those advocating for Christian conservative values.

In addition to his legislative initiatives, Carroll has made public statements encouraging prominent Republican figures, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, to seek higher office, indicating his engagement with broader national political dynamics. His actions and proposals continue to shape the political landscape in Arizona, particularly among conservative voters in his district.

Carroll resides in Sun City West, where he remains active in local and state politics. His legislative career, marked by a commitment to conservative values and a willingness to engage in both partisan and bipartisan efforts, continues to evolve as he serves the constituents of District 28.