John Kavanagh

John Kavanagh

VOTING RECORD

Extremist Republican member of the Arizona State Senate, representing District 3. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. His current term ends on January 13, 2025. Kavanagh ran for election to the Arizona State Senate to represent District 3. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022. Kavanagh previously served as a Republican member of the Arizona State Senate, representing District 23. He was first elected to the chamber in 2014, and he served until January 2019. He served as the state senate President Pro Tempore. Kavanagh previously served in the Arizona House of Representatives, representing District 23 from 2007 to 2015.

Arizona Senate Panel Ignores Own Attorney, OKs Bills Attacking Trans Students And Drag Queens

Elias Weiss / Phoenix New Times

Mar. 1, 2023

Relentless Republicans advanced three anti-LGBTQ bills to the full Arizona Senate on Monday despite warnings that the bills might be unconstitutional.

Senate Rules Attorney Chris Kleminich warned the Senate Rules Committee that SB 1001, which targets transgender children in schools, and SB 1026 and SB 1698, two weapons in the GOP’s war on drag queens, weren’t likely to be upheld in a court of law.

SB 1001, sponsored by Republican Senator John Kavanagh, prohibits teachers and school officials from referring to students by pronouns that don't match their assigned gender at birth unless they have written parental permission. That bill moved forward in the Senate Education Committee in January.

[...]

Despite Kleminich’s admonition, Republicans advanced the bill to the full Senate with a 4-3 vote. Republican Senators Warren Petersen, Sonny Borrelli, Sine Kerr, and T.J. Shope voted to advance the bill. Democratic Senators Lela Alston, Catherine Miranda, and Raquel Terán voted against it.

[...]

Kavanagh, who has been attacking LGBTQ people in Arizona for the past decade and who has a habit of authoring unconstitutional bills, also sponsored SB 1026, which would prohibit public money from being used to pay for “drag shows targeting minors.”

The Fountain Hills Republican sponsored SB 1026 despite telling Phoenix New Times that he can’t think of an instance in which taxpayer dollars were used to put on a drag show for children in Arizona. The bill defines public money as “tax monies of this state, federal monies passing through the state treasury, or any other state monies." It was passed by the Senate Government Committee on February 9.

[...]

SB 1698, sponsored by first-term Republican Senator Justine Wadsack, would add drag shows to a state law about "dangerous crimes against children." The bill defines drag shows as adult-oriented performances and compares them to bestiality, child sex trafficking, second-degree murder, and sexual assault.

Sex Obsessed GOP Lawmakers Advance Bill Targeting Drag Shows

Feb. 9, 2023

State Senator John Kavanagh, a Fountain Hills Republican who is leading the rush to erase drag from public life, sponsored SB 1026 despite admitting in a recent interview with Phoenix New Times that he can’t think of a single instance in which taxpayer dollars were ever used to put on a drag show for kids in Arizona. The bill defines public money as “tax monies of this state, federal monies passing through the state treasury or any other state monies.”

On a 5-3 party-line vote, the Senate Government Committee approved the bill. Republican Senators Jake Hoffman, Wendy Rogers, David Farnsworth, Justine Wadsack, and Janae Shamp voted in favor of the proposal. Democratic Senators Priya Sundareshan, Juan Mendez, and Eva Diaz voted against it."

[...]

SB 1026 is one of at least seven legislative proposals targeting Arizona’s LGBTQ people. Another of Kavanagh’s bills, SB 1001, prohibits teachers and school officials from referring to students by pronouns that don't match their gender assigned at birth unless they have written parental permission. That bill moved forward in the Arizona Senate in January. SB 1028, sponsored by Senator Anthony Kern, makes it illegal to host drag performances at places where the show “could be viewed by a minor.” The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill on February 4.

During public testimony on Wednesday, Kavanagh mocked a member of the public who spoke against the proposed bills. Although each speaker was given 90 seconds to speak, Kavanaugh flippantly snapped his fingers and thumb together repeatedly to suggest a mouth talking. He later made the gesture at Hoffman, the committee chair, who laughed and grinned. Hoffman, who also chairs the right-wing Arizona Freedom Caucus, has threatened to sue Governor Katie Hobbs over an LGBTQ-inclusive executive order banning discrimination in hiring and employment at state agencies

Arizona Republicans Take Aim At Drag Queens

Laurie Roberts / Arizona Republic

Jan. 9, 2023

The Arizona Legislature returns to the state Capitol, ready, willing and absolutely champing at the bit to confront the most pressing issues that plague our fair state.

Noooo, not the need for affordable housing or the state’s dwindling supply of water or the opioids epidemic that is killing five Arizonans every day.

Certainly, not the crying need to improve Arizona’s public schools – the ones attended by the vast majority of our children.

Instead, Republican legislators are going after the newest boogeyman on the block: drag queens.

Seriously.

Senate swings into action with drag show bills

It’s the latest front in the far right’s culture wars, one opened last year after a gay bar in Texas hosted what was billed as a family-friendly drag queen show.

Republican legislators in Arizona immediately swung into action, vowing to “fight like hell to protect the most innocent from these horrifying and disturbing trends”.

And so comes this year’s bills to bar drag shows in places where children might see them and even to limit when such shows can occur even when kids aren’t around.

Senate Bill 1026 would prevent the state from funding drag shows for kids. Never mind that even the bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, acknowledges that he knows of no instance in which the state has funded drag shows for kids.

SB 1028 would bar “adult cabaret” performances in public or “in any location that could be viewed by a minor”.

SB 1030 would limit when and where drag shows can occur.

No performances near schools, homes

And by drag show, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, means a performance in which men dress up as women (or vice versa) “and engage in singing, dancing or a monologue or skit in order to entertain an audience of two or more people.”

Specifically, a man couldn’t dress up as Marilyn Monroe and sing within a quarter mile of a daycare center, a school, a playground, a park, a house or a church.

Drag queens also would be barred from performing between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and between 1 a.m. and noon on Sunday.

It’s a pity Kern didn’t return a call to explain the need for his bills. I would have liked to ask him where we can view this parade of drag queens, sashaying through the streets in order supposedly corrupt our children." ..

Kavanagh Proposes Law To Govern Pronoun Use In Schools

State lawmakers are once again wading into the area of the rights of transgender minors. A new proposal by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, would bar school employees from knowingly referring to a student by a pronoun “that differs from the pronoun that aligns with the student’s biological sex” regardless of the student’s preferences. Only if the adult first gets parental permission would that be permissible. And Kavanagh already is planning to expand what has been introduced as SB 1001 to close what he sees as a possible loophole where teachers could avoid pronouns and instead address a student by the first name he or she prefers. He wants state law to read that only a student’s given name or some variant could be used. So someone named Edward could be addressed as Eddie or Ed. But calling that student Emma or Evelyn would be breaking the law.

Dec. 30, 2022

Center for Arizona Policy

2022 Survey Questions For Arizona Candidates

Position Sought: State Senate District 3

Question 2: Adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law.

Candidates' Position: Oppose.

Question 4: Allowing biological males that identify as transgender to play on female sports’ teams.

Candidates' Position: Oppose

Question 8: Allowing parents to seek professional counseling for their minor child with same-sex attraction or gender identity issues.*

Candidates' Position: Support

Question 9: Protecting individuals and businesses from being required to provide services or use their artistic expression in a manner that violates their moral or religious beliefs.**

Candidates' Position: Support.

* This is in reference to the dangerous and disproven "Reparative Therapy".

**Discriminatory "Religious Freedom" laws.

Source

Arizona Legislator Sparks Outcry Over Comments About Afghan Refugees

In a video on Twitter, Kavanagh is standing in front of a hotel where about 300 refugees are staying. He says they are “roaming” the community of Scottsdale and may not have been properly vetted before arriving.

Feb. 2, 2022

Arizona Republican Lawmaker Unwittingly Exposes Election Reform Scam

We’re moving forward to do bills to correct problems that came up during the election that need to be solved, regardless of whether there was actual fraud or nonexistent fraud,” Kavanagh said.

Apr. 27, 2021

CNN's Brianna Keilar Has Testy Exchange With Arizona State Lawmaker Over Voting Rights Bill

Kavanaugh took issue with Keilar calling the bill a "purge" and said she was "spinning the truth." "I am not spinning it, either," Keilar said. "Sir, you are not being honest and what you are saying doesn't even line up with what you have said about votes. You talked about quality votes over quantity, I think that is loud and clear."

Apr. 23, 2021

White Patrician Elitist Rep. John Kavanagh Says ‘Everybody Shouldn’t Be Voting’

There’s a fundamental difference between Democrats and Republicans,” he said. “Democrats value as many people as possible voting [democracy!], and they’re willing to risk fraud [false!]. Republicans are more concerned about [nonexistent] fraud [Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth], so we don’t mind putting ~~security~~ [voter suppression] measures in that won’t let everybody vote — but everybody shouldn’t be voting.

Mar. 11, 2021

Center for Arizona Policy

2020 Survey Questions For Arizona Candidates

Position Sought: State Representative LD-23

Question 2: Adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law.

Candidates' Position: Oppose.

Question 4: Allowing biological males that identify as transgender to play on female sports’ teams.

Candidates' Position: Oppose

Question 9: Protecting a parent's right to seek professional counseling for their minor child with same-sex attraction or gender identity issues to help them reach their desired outcome.*

Candidates' Position: Support

Question 11: Protecting individuals and businesses from being required to provide services or use their artistic expression in a manner that violates their moral or religious beliefs.**

Candidates' Position: Support.

* This is in reference to the dangerous and disproven "Reparative Therapy".

**Discriminatory "Religious Freedom" laws.

Source

Who Are The Republicans Attacking Arizona’s Education?

Proposition 208 passed during the 2020 general election, and received 1,675,810 votes, with approximately 52% of the vote and also received more votes than President-Elect Joe Biden, or Donald Trump did this election ... Now, there is a group of Republican politicians that are teaming up with one another to find any possible way to undermine the education funding initiative–including a joint lawsuit attempting to challenge the constitutionality of the education-funding proposition. This Republican coalition to invalidate the Invest in Education initiative includes Republicans from both legislative chambers, and even statewide politicians.

Dec. 7, 2020

HB 2706 - Vote to pass a bill that prohibits transgender female students from participating in school sports, from kindergarten through college, in private and public schools.

Source

Battle Lines Drawn In Arizona Gay Discrimination Case

The case centers on a Phoenix wedding invitation business that preemptively sued Phoenix over its non-discrimination ordinance, which includes sexual orientation. The business owners argue making invitations for same-sex weddings goes against their religious beliefs and the city’s law would force them to do that.

Dec. 24, 2018

Arizona ALEC Politicians - SourceWatch

Sep. 21, 2018

Center for Arizona Policy

2018 Candidate Questionnaire

Position Sought: State Representative LD-23

Question 4: Adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law.

Candidates' Position: Oppose.

Question 9: Protecting a parent’s right to seek professional counseling for their minor child with same– sex attraction or gender identity issues to help them reach their desired outcome.*

Candidates' Position: Support.

* This is in reference to the dangerous and disproven "Reparative Therapy".

Source

Arizona Lawmaker's Proposal May Make It Harder To Enact Voter-Initiated Legislation

Jan. 4, 2018

Arizona Bill Punishes Even Peaceful Protesters When Events Turn Violent

If the bill becomes law, prosecutors could seize the assets of protesters, even if they didn't participate in any violence. The bill would add rioting to the list of offenses that could be charged under Arizona's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization laws.

Feb. 23, 2017

Lawmaker Wants To Make It Easier To Deny “Unduly Burdensome” Public Records Requests

State lawmakers are making a new bid to make it easier for public officials to deny requests for records they believe are “unduly burdensome or harassing.” The proposal by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, leaves in place existing requirements for records to be open to public inspection. And it spells out that those who are denied access can sue and recover their legal fees. But SB 1019 adds a requirement that the records sought be identified with “reasonable particularity.” Potentially more significant, it provides public officials with the ability to claim that “the request for access to public records is unduly burdensome or harassing.”

Dec. 24, 2016

Center for Arizona Policy

2016 Survey Questions For Arizona Candidates

Position Sought: State Senate LD-23

Question 4: Adding "sexual orientation," "gender identity," or "gender expression" to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law.

Candidates' Position: Oppose.

Question 6: Prohibiting government from discriminating against an individual, organization, or small business based on their beliefs about marriage.*

Candidates' Position: Support.

Question 10: Implementing policies to allow students and faculty to use the restroom, locker room, and shower room that aligns with their gender identity.

Candidates' Position: Oppose.

* Discriminatory "Religious Freedom" laws.

Source

Roll Call: Who Supported Expanding Dark Money In Arizona?

Jul. 18, 2016

John Kavanagh, Arizona State Representative, Defends Transgender Bathroom Bill

The Arizona state legislator who received national attention for promoting a harsh anti-transgender bill aimed at prosecuting transgender people for using a public restroom if their gender appearance didn't match the gender on their identification said yesterday that his effort is indeed “targeting” transgender people

Feb. 2, 2016

Arizona GOPer Wants To Criminalize Filming Within 20 Feet Of Police

Under Kavanagh’s bill, a first offense would result in a $300 fine while further violations could send offenders to jail for up to six months

Jan. 8, 2016

Sen. John Kavanagh Is Lying To Your Face About The Education Budget

Mar. 6, 2015

Center for Arizona Policy

2014 Candidate Questionnaire

Position Sought: State Senate LD-23

Question 9: Arizona’s voter-approved constitutional definition of marriage should be defended to the fullest extent legally possible.

Candidates' Position: Support

Question 11: Adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in antidiscrimination law.

Candidates' Position: Oppose

Question 15: Protecting individuals and businesses from being required to provide services or use their artistic expression in a manner that violates their moral or religious beliefs.*

Candidates' Position: Support

* Discriminatory "Religious Freedom" laws.

Source

Crazy/Stupid Republican Of The Day — John Kavanagh

Dec. 10, 2014

John Kavanagh's Support Of SB 1062 And SB 1070, And His Offensive Remarks About Latinos

Mar. 3, 2014

Latinos Are Punch Line At Joe Arpaio Roast

Arizona State Rep. John Kavanagh, a Republican from the Scottsdale area, had conservatives chortling with one joke after another about racial profiling, “rounding up Hispanics” and much more. For good measure, he mocked the controversy around SB 1062, the so-called religious freedom bill, taking a shot at Muslims in the process. And he mocked the federal monitor appointed to oversee Sheriff Arpaio’s operations after a judge determined that his department engaged in racial profiling and illegal detentions of Latinos.

Feb. 26, 2014

SB-1062 - SB 1062 was an Arizona bill to amend an existing law to give any individual or legal entity an exemption from any state law if it substantially burdened their exercise of religion, including Arizona law requiring public accommodation.

Source

Headlights:

It would allow anyone to assert a legal claim or defense of free exercise of religion in a legal proceeding, regardless of whether the government is a party to the proceeding.

It would allow private individuals and corporations to assert religious beliefs in a way that could lead to discrimination against gay and lesbian, and other, Arizonans. This bill could embolden people to discriminate against anyone who doesn’t share their beliefs or religious practices.

If SB 1062 were enacted, employers could impose their religious beliefs on employees and businesses could refuse to serve customers despite state and local laws requiring public accommodations—like restaurants and hotels—to serve all people.

Source

John Kavanagh Defends His Trips To Commie China And Azerbaijan

Jan. 23, 2014

SB 1178 - Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that authorizes an individual to use potential infringements of religious freedom as a claim or defense in a legal proceeding.

Highlights:

The proposed law would allow people to sue over an “impending violation” of religious liberty, (such as serving or treating a person perceived to be LGBTQ) as opposed to waiting until after the attack has occurred. It protects the practice or observance of all religions, including actions motivated by religious beliefs, against state and local laws or policies.

Source

Arizona Lawmakers Keep Pushing For Anti-Trans Bill

After seven hours of testimony that stretched into Wednesday evening, an Arizona State House committee approved legislation that would bar transgender people from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity, reports the Associated Press. The state-level legislation seeks to override local antidiscrimination policies that already protect transgender people. The Arizona House Appropriations Committee voted 7-4, along party lines, to advance committee chairman Rep. John Kavanagh's Senate Bill 1045.

Mar. 28, 2013

Is John Kavanagh Arizona's Worst Legislator?

Republican Representative John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills has had quite the legislative session thus far. He kicked it off by announcing his support for repealing Arizona's voter-approved medical marijuana law, followed it up with vocal support of a bill that would protect Sheriff Joe Arpaio in the event of a recall election, and most recently, he's gone "bathroom birther" -- proposing that people use their birth certificate to prove they're using the correct public restroom.

Mar. 20, 2013

Center for Arizona Policy

2012 Candidate Questionnaire

Position Sought: State Representative LD-23

Question 9: Amending the United States Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Candidates' Position: Support

Question 11: Adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law.

Candidates' Position: Oppose

Question 15: Protecting professionals from being required to provide services that violate their moral or religious beliefs.*

Candidates' Position: Support

* Discriminatory "Religious Freedom" laws.

Source

HB-2780 - Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that exempts ranch dogs involved in shepherding or herding livestock from animal protection laws.

Highlights:

Defines “cruelty to animals” as certain actions including, but not limited to, the following:
- Killing the animal.

PLEASE NOTE: A "Yes" vote would allow ranch dogs to be neglected or abandoned, killed and tortured. It would allow the owner of a ranch dog to inflict unnecessary injury to the animal and not provide medical attention.

Source

AZ. Rep. John Kavanagh: Working Hard To Keep Us Stupid

Kavanagh’s HB 2675 is just one more shot fired in the GOP’s war to privatize everything.

Feb. 27, 2012

Center for Arizona Policy

2012 Candidate Questionnaire

Position Sought: State Representative LD-8

Question 9: Amending the United States Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Candidates' Position: Support

Question 11: Adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law.

Candidates' Position: Oppose

Question 15: Protecting professionals from being required to provide services that violate their moral or religious beliefs.*

Candidates' Position: Support

* Discriminatory "Religious Freedom" laws.

Source

Humpday Hall Of Shame: Arizona's John Kavanagh

Aug. 3, 2011

Arizona Rep Backpedals On Effort to Remove Sikh Man From 9/11 Memorial

Earlier this year, Kavanagh introduced House Bill 2230, which would remove panels containing 11 phrases that Kavanagh considers offensive from an Arizona 9/11 memorial. Among the phrases proposed to be removed was the name of Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh man who owned a gas station in Mesa and was killed on September 15, 2001. His murderer, who is currently serving a life sentence, mistook Singh Sodhi’s turban for Arab garb and also fired at two other Middle Eastern targets that day. Kavanagh said he believed the memorial should be limited only to victims of the events of 9/11, not the aftermath

Apr. 27, 2011

Sponsor Of Arizona Citizenship Bill Hopes It Prompts Lawsuit

The Arizona state legislator who co-sponsored the latest immigration crackdown proposal -- to end citizenship for U.S.-born kids of illegal immigrants -- told CNN Friday that he hopes the legislation will provoke a lawsuit so that the U.S. Supreme Court "can end the controversy over the true meaning of the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause."

Jan. 29, 2011

Arizona Bill Would Deny Citizenship To Children Of Illegal Immigrants

John Kavanagh, a Republican state representative from Arizona who supports the proposed law aimed at so-called "anchor babies," said that the concept does not conflict with the U.S. Constitution.

Jun. 16, 2010

SCR-1042 - Vote to pass a resolution that proposes a constitutional amendment to allow only a union of one man and one woman to be recognized as a marriage in Arizona.