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Grant Hanna Named New Chief of Staff for Arizona House republicans
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Arizona House Republicans are entering a new era of leadership with the appointment of Grant Hanna as their chief of staff. The move, finalized in July, marks the first time in nearly a decade the majority party will begin a legislative session with a new top staffer, signaling a strategic shift aimed at bolstering the House’s policy capabilities.
the change comes following the departure of Michael Hunter,who served as chief of staff for over eight years and under five different speakers. Hunter’s resignation in February 2025, shortly after the legislative session began, to become the chief operating officer of the nonprofit Christian Family Care, created a important void within the House leadership structure.
“It doesn’t matter what party you’re a member of or hold allegiance to, just the mere fact he had been there for so long with so many speakers, that does create a vacuum,” noted a senior official familiar with the Arizona legislature.
Speaker Steve Montenegro emphasized that Hanna’s hiring represents an opportunity to strengthen the Republican policy team. “There are areas that we need to strengthen,” montenegro stated. “There are areas that we want to continue to be better at and not just better,but complementary. There are areas that can and should be complemented with talent.”
Hanna’s Rise Through the Ranks
Hanna is no stranger to the Arizona political landscape, bringing with him over a decade of experience gained within the Senate. He began his career as a research analyst and steadily climbed the ranks, serving as deputy chief of staff for four years before transitioning to the House.
“He’s been the number two for a long time. He’s worked his way up from the basement up to the second floor offices,” said Doug Cole, a former top staffer at the Arizona House of Representatives and current chief operating officer at HighGround public affairs Consultants. “The institution as a whole,in my opinion,will be well served by Grant’s knowledge and leadership skills.”
Montenegro highlighted Hanna’s experience and his commitment to respectful collaboration as key factors in his selection. “his style is somthing I appreciate. It matches my own where we want to hear what others have to say. We want people to feel respected and we want to uphold the values of that institution so that Arizona has the best government available and possible,” the Speaker explained.
Internal Restructuring Follows Leadership Change
The transition wasn’t limited to the chief of staff position. Following Hunter’s departure, Matt Specht briefly served as interim chief of staff before being promoted to chief operating officer, overseeing the House’s day-to-day operations.
Further changes included the replacement of former Deputy Chief of Staff and General Counsel Linley Wilson, who joined the law firm Holtzman Vogel as a partner in October. Kelsey Jahntz was afterward promoted from director of policy to deputy chief of staff. The House also welcomed Robyn Poole as general counsel and Daniel Tilleman, a former holtzman Vogel associate, as deputy general counsel.Poole brings extensive legal experience from various levels of government, including the Attorney General’s Office and the Arizona Corporation commission.
These personnel shifts come after a 2025 legislative session marked by friction, with House Republicans facing criticism for delaying budget discussions. A senior state leader reportedly expressed concerns at the end of the session, noting the House held up sine die for two months during negotiations.
With a new chief of staff and a restructured team in place, the Arizona House Republicans are poised to address these challenges and navigate the upcoming legislative session with renewed focus and strategic direction.
