Jon Kyl and the Arizona That Used to Get Things Done

By Vanessa Rogers Jon Kyl died Thursday at 84. The former senator stepped away from public life last December after announcing a dementia diagnosis. At the time, he said his family faced “moments of joy and increasing difficulties.” Now Arizona says goodbye to one of its most consequential public servants. You do not have to share Kyl’s politics to respect … Read More

Supervisor Galvin’s Statement on the Passing of U.S. Senator Jon Kyl

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, not only for the loss of this great man, but for what his passing represents to all Arizonans. Senator Kyl was a statesman in every sense of the word. He was staunch in his beliefs, yet always sought compromise. Senator Kyl was quick to teach and eager … Read More

New Survey: Nearly 8 in 10 Arizona Voters Support Updating Early Childhood Funding Model to Include Vaping and Nicotine Products

From Data Orbital Nearly eight in ten Arizona voters support updating the state’s existing tobacco-based funding model for early childhood programs to include vaping and other nicotine products, according to a new statewide survey of likely 2026 General Election voters conducted by Data Orbital. The survey found 79.5% of voters support updating the existing funding model, compared with just 15.4% … Read More

Eight Years Later, Arizona Still Isn’t Done Talking About John McCain

Last week marked eight years since Senator John McCain died at his Cornville ranch after a long fight with brain cancer, and if anything, the tributes have only gotten more consistent with time. Whatever else has shifted in Arizona politics since 2018, the state’s habit of pausing every August to remember him hasn’t. Arizona Keeps the Torch Lit Governor Katie … Read More

Thank You, Readers

Readers, it’s no secret that we enjoy being relative insiders to the world of Arizona (and specifically Scottsdale) politics, and this year has been an interesting one. We’ve been fortunate in our ability to carve a successful niche of sharing a wide variety of viewpoints and stances of one of the best areas and states in the world, and we’re … Read More

Speaker’s Corner: Katie Hobbs Only Believes in Democracy When It’s Convenient

By Ronald Sampson Katie Hobbs stood in front of reporters on August 20 and told them she’s worried about the citizen initiative process getting eroded, while in the same breath standing by her override of the Axon vote. Voters gathering signatures to put a question on the ballot, she said, that’s sacred stuff. She opposed messing with it back when … Read More

A Scottsdale Guy Just Got Handed the Keys to Chase Field

Big congratulations are in order for Mark Winkleman, founder and president of MGS Realty Partners, who was just named to lead the $500 million renovation of Chase Field for the Maricopa County Stadium District. It’s exactly the kind of high-stakes, high-visibility assignment that calls for someone who has already proven he can manage complicated public responsibility, and Winkleman has done … Read More

Arizona Democrats Lead Down Ballot Races

By HighGround Public Affairs The latest statewide survey from HighGround Public Affairs reveals that the Democratic nominees for statewide down ballot offices have taken the lead with six weeks remaining until early voting starts. In the same survey that showed Governor Katie Hobbs with a fifteen-point advantage in the Governor’s race, the top of the Democratic ticket is also faring … Read More

Too-Early-To-Call Results from Arizona’s Primary Election Day: Primary Validations, Shocks, and Comeback Stories in the Waiting

By Alexander Lomax The first election results dropped from the night, and absolutely nothing is set in stone at this moment, but there is definitely plenty of certainty and more than enough question marks to keep us hitting refresh on our browser constantly. First, Scottsdale. One councilmember is likely advancing and a few incumbents are fighting for their seats. Scroll … Read More