Event Information

Progressive Federalism, Conservative Constitutionalism

Live Presentation via Zoom
Virtual Screening Room
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 12:00 PM
Arizona / Mountain Standard Time
Join the Arizona Historical Society, Dr. Aaron Kushner, and Dr. Sean Beienburg for an installment of Arizona Histories, American Stories series celebrating Arizona's role in 250 years of American history.

The Progressive Era Arizona Constitution was forged in conflict: was the American constitutional project obsolete, or did the US Constitution and all that it stood for have sufficient authority to protect the public good? In Arizona, political thinkers were balanced precariously between Progressive-era ideas and conservative constitutionalism. W This presentation will consider the political and constitutional thought of Arizona's Founders, especially the well-known Governor George Hunt and his lesser known legislative ally Michael Cunniff-- the George Washington and James Madison of Arizona.

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SEAN BEIENBURG is an associate professor and AARON KUSHNER is an assistant professor in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, where they have co-directed the Arizona Constitution Project (azconstitution.org) and teach and study American constitutional and political history. Beienburg is the author of Progressive States’ Rights: The Forgotten History of Federalism (2024) and Prohibition, the Constitution, and States’ Rights (2019). Kushner is the author of Cherokee Nation Citizenship: A Political History (2025), and they are the coauthors of two articles on Michael Cunniff, Arizona's first legislative leader at the state's Founding.