When it was constituted, Raúl Héctor Castro still had two years remaining on his only term in office as Governor of Arizona.

When Castro left the office to become Ambassador to Argentina in October 1977, he was succeeded by Wesley Bolin, Arizona's Secretary of State.

Arizona's constitution mandates that the Secretary of State is first in line of succession to the office of Governor.

However, Bolin died in office five months later, on March 4, 1978, and was succeeded by Bruce Babbitt, who was then the Attorney General.

In the lower chamber, the Republicans increased their majority by 5 seats, giving them a 38–22 margin.