Kris Mayes golf courses comments set off a fresh political fight in Arizona, where the Democratic attorney general’s remarks about water conservation and saying the state may have “too much grass” drew swift rebukes from Republican leaders and business groups ahead of next week’s elections.
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen accused Mayes of targeting a key industry after a clip circulated of her discussing whether Arizona should consider restricting golf courses as part of broader efforts to conserve water. Mayes later said her words were taken out of context and that she was making a broader point about incentives to reduce water use.
Kris Mayes golf courses debate intensifies
In an interview addressing the growth of water-hungry data centers and the wisdom of such development in an arid state, Mayes said Arizona could do more on conservation, pointing to tax incentives for rainwater catchment and lawn removal. She added, “We have way, way too much grass in Arizona,” and said the state probably has too many golf courses, comments that quickly went viral.
Petersen, a Republican from Maricopa, said Arizona has “too many radical politicians” trying to decide which industries thrive, arguing the focus should be on enforcing the law and protecting consumers. Other GOP figures piled on, including Rep. Eli Crane, who dismissed the idea that golf is the problem, while business executives argued that tee times are scarce and prices have surged since the pandemic.
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce highlighted the sector’s footprint, citing figures of roughly a $6 billion economic impact, 66,000 jobs, $2.3 billion in wages and $520 million in tax revenue. The group also said courses account for 2% or less of statewide water use, aligning with a 2023 report from the Arizona Alliance for Golf.
Mayes has been warning about growing pressure on Colorado River supplies and the potential for legal battles over the resource. She later clarified online that “nobody’s closing golf courses,” saying her aim is to promote incentives for residents and industries to replace thirsty grass and harvest rainwater, while she takes on what she called foreign mega-farms and data centers straining Arizona’s water. She also accused Petersen of spreading false claims.
Critics on X continued to slam the clarification as condescending, while some conservative influencers mocked the stance as anti-business. With Election Day approaching, Petersen is betting the controversy over Kris Mayes golf courses comments will resonate beyond golfers, casting it as part of a wider dispute over government intervention in Arizona’s economy.
Some Republican strategists have compared the issue’s political resonance to other recent fights over rhetoric and regulation, including Trump El-Sayed metal detector remark targets Senate bid, seeing it as a way to galvanize their base ahead of November.
