State Senator Bob Dutton (pictured) just confirmed to me that this Monday he will officially assume the office 
of Senate Republican Leader. FlashReport readers will remember that we broke the news earlier this year that Dutton had been elected by his colleagues to this position, with an understanding that the current leader, Dennis Hollingsworth, and Dutton (close politically allies) would work out the timing for the transition.
The original transition plans called for Dutton to take over as Leader on September 1st. But when that date came around and it was apparently that while in negotiation, there was no state budget, both agreed that it was best to hold off on the transition until the passage of a budget, so as to not change chief negotiators mid-process.
I have known both Hollingsworth and Dutton for a great many years. Both are good, capable men. While I will take the opportunity in the future to expound on Hollingsworth’s (pictured right) tenure as leader, I will say that I have been very proud of my friend and fellow conservative for the leadership that he has demonstrated.
While Dutton gets the official title of leader on Monday, the external political duties of the leaders job (raising and spending funds to re-elected and elect Republican Senators) did shift over to Dutton in early September, so he’s already been hard at work in that important aspect of the job.
Congratulations, Dennis, on a job well done. And good luck to you, Bob, as you embark on a challenging job — leading Republicans in an institution that is controlled by lefty, big government advocates!