The controversy arose shortly after Hobbs was elected Democratic leader in the Arizona state Senate in late 2014. In two federal jury trials alleging discrimination based on race and sex by the Arizona Senate, Adams represented herself and won. Hobbs told the Arizona Mirror in November, "I can say with certainty on my part, my decision in the termination was not based on race or gender. Attorneys representing the Arizona Senate did not respond to CNN's requests to discuss their arguments in the case. Leah Landrum Taylor, seen in her office at the Arizona state Senate in 2014, was ousted as minority leader in 2013.

Source: CNN January 16, 2022 15:53 UTC