Senate Majority Leader

Legislative District 3

 

Home City: Fountain Hills

Occupation: Retired

Member Since: 2007

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2025 Committees: 

• Appropriations - Chair

• Judiciary & Elections - Vice Chair

• Government

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John Kavanagh is an over 30-year resident of District 3, which covers half of Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, a bit of North Phoenix, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, and New River. John and his wife, former Mayor Linda Kavanagh of Fountain Hills, have been married for 49 years and have two sons, Jonathan, and Nicholas. John is a professor of criminal justice at Scottsdale Community College and teaches at A.S.U. Prior to teaching college, John served 20 years as a police officer with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, retiring as a detective sergeant.

 

Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh has released his new book, State Legislatures: An Owner's Manual, offering the public an unprecedented inside look at how America's state laws are shaped, debated, and enacted. Kavanagh, a 19-year veteran of the Arizona Legislature and an adjunct professor at Arizona State University, brings both classroom clarity and real-world experience to a subject that affects every citizen. "Most people know Congress, but they don't realize that state legislatures pass far more laws that affect their daily lives," Kavanagh said. "This book pulls back the curtain on how that process works, and how people can be part of it." John's book can be purchased on Amazon. 

John's dedication to public service is evident in his political career. He served six years as a town councilman in Fountain Hills and three years on the Lafayette, New Jersey Town Council. He is in his 19th year in the Arizona legislature, having served in the House and Senate, often as chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee. He was also Senate President Pro Tempore.

John was awarded a BA in Liberal Arts from NYU, a Master’s Degree in Government from St. John's University (Queens, NY), and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Rutgers. He is also a military veteran.

John's commitment to community service is reflected in his involvement in various government boards and community organizations. He has served on a Parks and Recreation Commission, Board of Health, School District Advisory Panel, Planning Advisory Group, and Senior Services Board of Directors. His dedication to the community extends beyond these roles, as he has also volunteered for the Community Center, the American Legion, the Civic Association, the Historical Society, and the Friends of the Chamber of Commerce. His diverse involvement demonstrates his ability to work with different groups and his commitment to the well-being of the community.

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