By Ronald Sampson
Zohran Mamdani with AOC. Photo Credit: Politico
Last Tuesday wasn’t just a good night for Democrats; it was a blueprint for what could be coming to Arizona in 2026.
Across the country, Democrats secured decisive victories in Virginia and New Jersey governor’s races, with Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill winning by comfortable margins while campaigning heavily on economic issues and cost of living. In Georgia, Democrats won their first non-federal statewide office since 2006. In North Carolina’s Wake County, Democratic candidates won 25 of 27 races, while Republicans won just one of 22 endorsed candidates. Even New York City elected democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor with over one million votes.
The message was unmistakable: voters are unhappy with the Trump administration, particularly on economic issues, with majorities in multiple states saying they were dissatisfied or angry about the direction of the country. A recent national poll shows Democrats holding a four-point edge on the generic congressional ballot, with 57% of voters saying they’re more motivated to vote than usual.
For Arizona, the implications are significant. Republicans currently control the state legislature with a 17-13 Senate majority and 33-27 House advantage: narrow margins that could flip in a wave election. All 90 legislative seats are up for grabs in 2026, and Democrats are explicitly targeting these chambers as highly competitive.
Governor Katie Hobbs, seeking reelection herself, has been aggressively investing in legislative races. House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos stated, “I have every expectation that in 2026 we’re going to mount an even bigger challenge and effort to flip the legislature”.
The conditions mirror what happened nationally on Tuesday. Trump has consistently focused on immigration over economic issues, but cost-of-living concerns proved to be the decisive factor for voters. Arizona families dealing with inflation, housing costs, and the recent SNAP benefits crisis could be primed for similar messaging.
If Democrats can replicate Tuesday’s suburban gains and Latino voter enthusiasm in Arizona, where Democratic candidates won Latino voters by two-to-one margins in Virginia and New Jersey, a “blue wave” that delivers the state legislature isn’t just possible. It’s probable.
The 2026 midterms are still a year away, but last Tuesday may have shown us Arizona’s political future.