Last Updated on August 6, 2021
Arizona State Senator, Tony Navarrete, an openly gay Democrat and founding member of Arizona’s LGBTQ Caucus, has been arrested for child molestation. Phoenix Police confirm that Navarrete, widely considered a “rising star” within the Democrat Party, faces multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor, among other charges.
While few details surrounding the charges and arrest have been made immediately available, local media has confirmed with Phoenix Police that Democrat State Senator Tony Navarrete “was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 5, and charged with multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor among other charges.”
In the immediate aftermath of Senator Navarrete’s arrest for child molestation, his Senate Democrat colleagues had little to say, releasing a statement saying the caucus was aware of the arrest but had no comment on the situation. “We are aware one of our members has been arrested and are awaiting further details and for law enforcement to do its job. We will not have further comment at this time,” Senate Democrats said in a statement.
Republican rising star Sen. Wendy Rogers, however, chimed in this morning. “Isn’t one of these guys the senator who was just arrested and ‘faces multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor, among other charges’,” wrote Rogers. “How about we stop talking about the bedroom all of the time or better yet, just be moral?”
Isn't one of these guys the senator who was just arrested and "faces multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor, among other charges". How about we stop talking about the bedroom all of the time or better yet, just be moral? Thoughts?https://t.co/WR6zTL5ujA
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) August 6, 2021
Navarrete has been a member of Arizona’s legislature since 2017, first winning election to the State’s House of Representatives where he served one two-year term before being elected to the Arizona Senate, entering that body in 2019. As a member of the legislature, Navarrete, who is openly gay, has made his homosexuality a centerpiece of his political schtick, helping to found the Arizona LGBT Caucus during his first year in office.
Navarrete has made several appearances alongside high-profile Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris and far-left New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Considered a “rising star” within the Democrat Party, Navarrete was expected to announce a statewide run for Treasurer of Arizona.
A champion of repressive COVID-19 lockdowns, restrictions, and masking policies, Navarrete had reportedly tested positive for COVID just ahead of his arrest, despite receiving a vaccine. Arizona Democrats have used Navarrete’s positive diagnosis as a reason for mask mandates and restrictions to continue statewide, and be enforced on children in Arizona’s schools.
Senator @NavarreteAZ said his diagnosis should serve as a reminder for Arizonans to stay vigilant. “I know people are tired and frustrated, but it’s time to mask up again. The best defense is getting the vaccine and masking up in public, crowded spaces.”https://t.co/dLrPOFtpP4
— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) August 4, 2021
