State Overview

The Arizona State Party has one of the most professional organizations in the country. For the past four years, the leadership has written, implemented and executed a comprehensive strategic plan. As a direct result of long-term planning, the State Party has had several important electoral victories. In 2006, Democrats gained six seats in the State House (the most since 1992) and one in the State Senate. Additionally, Democrats re-elected governor Janet Napolitano, won the Attorney General race, won the 5^th and the 8^th Congressional Districts and performed very well in the Tucson City Council races. Inf fact, Democrats swept all three legislative seats in southwestern Arizona, electing three women to the legislature.

Azrizona’s changing political landscape mirrors its demographic changes. Phoenix is the 5^th largest city and the 3^rd largest county in the country. The consitutents are skewing younger and more low-income as it is a service industry-based economy. Immigration will continue to be a hot-button issue. The 2006 results suggest that the electorate has a greater interest in candidates and issues with action-oriented solutions rather tha divisive agenda politics.