Arizona AG's 'Too Many Golf Courses' Remark Fuels Final Push in AG Race

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes faces intense backlash from state Republican leaders as her campaign for re-election enters its final days. The controversy centers on remarks made in a Politico interview where Mayes suggested the state has an excess of golf courses, a comment that has become a central talking point in the race for the top law enforcement position.

In the interview, Mayes discussed the challenges of water conservation in an arid state. She stated that Arizona has "way, way too much grass" and added that the state probably has "too many golf courses right now." She noted that the golf industry might dislike the assessment but argued for tax incentives to remove lawns and capture rainwater.

Sen. Warren Petersen, the state Senate president and a Republican from Maricopa County, attacked Mayes for targeting a major economic sector. He told Fox News Digital that Mayes believes government should dictate which industries thrive, arguing that she should focus on enforcing the law and protecting consumers instead of attacking the golf industry.

Petersen, who is not Mayes' primary opponent in the general election but serves as a key Republican voice, emphasized the industry's role in the state economy. He said golf courses support jobs, tourism, and small businesses. He also posted on social media that while Mayes is promising to get rid of golf courses, he is promising to get rid of Mayes.

Other Republicans joined the criticism. Rep. Eli Crane, a Republican from Arizona, joked that the state has a "dumocrat problem" rather than a golf course problem. Tom Spengler, the CEO of an e-procurement software company, noted that tee times are difficult to secure and rates have doubled or tripled since the pandemic, suggesting Arizona actually needs more courses.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce provided data to counter the argument that golf courses drain local water resources. Vice President Courtney Coolidge cited figures showing the industry has a $6 billion economic impact, supports 66,000 jobs, and generates $520 million in tax revenue. She highlighted that golf courses use 2% or less of the state's water resources, a statistic that aligns with a 2023 study by the Arizona Alliance for Golf.

Mayes responded to the viral attention by tweeting that her point was about incentives for all Arizonans and major industries to swap thirsty grass for rainwater capture. She said, "Relax, nobody's closing golf courses," and accused Petersen of spreading false claims. She framed her position as a move to address water usage while tackling foreign mega-farms and data centers that drain resources.

Critics on social media described Mayes' response as condescending, with one user noting that everyone heard her initial remarks. With Election Day approaching, the dispute has expanded beyond water policy to become a symbol of the broader conflict over government intervention in Arizona's economy.