Last Updated on June 25, 2024
This year, Arizona State Senator Ken Bennett (R-1) voted against legislation to protect children from transgenderism in their public schools, as well as legislation that would bar satanic displays from public property.
In February, Bennett voted with Democrats to kill Senate Resolution 1013, which would have put restrictions on transgenderism in public schools up for a vote among the people of Arizona. If approved, the resolution would have barred public schools from allowing men to use girls’ restrooms and changing facilities (and vice-versa), while also barring public schools from socially transitioning children behind their parent’s backs.
Bennett said that he voted against the ballot measure because it could prevent members of his own family from using opposite-sex bathrooms and pronouns, citing their “tender age” as the reason why they SHOULD be exposed to transgenderism.
“I can probably identify three or four of my nephews and nieces that would fall under some of these situations,” Bennett said. “And I have to always think of them on behalf of everyone who’s in one of these situations. How would I want a state law to affect them at such tender ages?”
Adding another layer to Bennett’s pro-transgender vote, he employed a strategy often used by politicians to deceive voters, by voting in favor of sending two bills restricting trans bathroom and pronoun usage in public schools to the desk of Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs, where they were immediately vetoed.
But when presented with the opportunity to take the matter out of the governor’s hands and let the people of Arizona decide to protect their children for themselves, he voted nay.
That same month, Bennett was one of just two Republicans to vote against the RESPECT Act, short for Reject Escalating Satanism by Preserving Essential Core Traditions Act, which would have barred the construction of satanic displays such as memorials, statues, and altars on public property in Arizona.
The final vote tally was 14 votes against the measure and 13 votes in favor of it, making Bennett’s vote a critical piece of Democrat efforts to in block the legislation.
The RESPECT Act was introduced weeks after Iowa politicians from both parties allowed the satanic temple to erect a statue of Baphomet in the Iowa State Capitol. Shortly after it was put up, the statue was allegedly beheaded by a man named Michael Cassidy, who has been charged with a hate crime as a result.
When Ken Bennett and the Democrats of Arizona’s State Senate voted to kill the RESPECT Act, the satanic temple’s national governing body released a public statement “celebrating” the vote and vowing to continue their fight to subvert America.
“While we rejoice in this victory, we remain vigilant, recognizing that the fight for equitable religious representation is far from over,” said Erin Helian, the satanic temple’s executive director.
Bennett’s voting record has come into focus as he prepares for a July 30th GOP primary contest against Mark Finchem, the Trump-endorsed America First firebrand who has a national reputation for protecting Arizona’s elections, borders, and culture.
Until last year, Finchem served in the Arizona House of Representatives, and his election to the State Senate would be a crucial step in shifting the upper chamber to the right.