August 27, 2025

Controversy Erupts Over Petersen’s Appearance on Prescott Talks

News Summary

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen’s recent appearance on the talk show Prescott Talks, hosted by controversial former lawmaker David Stringer, has raised significant concerns. Petersen, a candidate for the Republican attorney general nomination, appeared on the show amid criticism for Stringer’s history of racist remarks and connections to white nationalist ideologies. The episode also highlighted tensions related to racially stereotypical content published by Prescott eNews, leading to backlash from figures like Quang Nguyen. The implications for Petersen’s candidacy in Arizona’s diverse political landscape could be profound.

Arizona

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has stirred controversy after appearing on the talk show Prescott Talks, hosted by disgraced former lawmaker David Stringer. Petersen’s appearance coincided with a campaign event for U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running for governor in 2026. Petersen himself is a candidate for the Republican nomination for attorney general in the same election.

The show, Prescott Talks, is produced by Stringer, who previously represented Arizona in the House of Representatives before resigning in disgrace in 2019. His departure was prompted by a refusal to cooperate with an ethics investigation connected to child sex crime charges dating back to 1983. Stringer ultimately took a plea deal related to repeated sexual contact with two boys under the age of 15, one of whom had an intellectual disability. His resignation came following intense scrutiny after racist remarks he made were made public.

Stringer is known for his controversial views on race and immigration, having been linked to white nationalist ideologies. He has made inflammatory comments regarding immigration through his platform, Prescott eNews, claiming there “aren’t enough white kids to go around,” and labeling immigration as an “existential threat” to America. During Petersen’s segment on Prescott Talks, the guest host was Elizabeth Ham, who has previously run campaigns for other Republican candidates in Maricopa County.

Further complicating Petersen’s support, Prescott eNews has faced backlash for publishing racially stereotypical AI-generated political cartoons, particularly aimed at Quang Nguyen, a Republican lawmaker from Prescott Valley. Nguyen, who emigrated to the U.S. as a child after fleeing communist Vietnam, has filed a complaint against the publication with the Arizona State Bar Association for the offensive portrayal of him in the cartoons.

These cartoons raise serious questions about Nguyen’s loyalty to the United States, depicting him in derogatory scenarios, such as being investigated by police for stealing and consuming neighborhood pets, thus echoing harmful historical anti-immigrant stereotypes. Such imagery perpetuates the very rhetoric that Stringer has long been associated with, raising broader issues of race and representation in Arizona’s political discourse.

Despite the growing criticism, Petersen has not responded to inquiries regarding his decision to appear on Prescott Talks, which has been linked to addressing and supporting racist narratives. Stringer’s history of racialized commentary against immigrants has contributed to a broader atmosphere of division, impacting how political conversations unfold in the state.

The implications of Petersen’s choices remain significant as he campaigns for the attorney general position, particularly in light of his association with individuals and platforms that espouse racist ideologies. The scrutiny surrounding his political affiliations and the contexts in which he chooses to engage will likely influence perceptions of his candidacy moving forward, especially within the diverse demographic landscape of Arizona.

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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

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