By Alexander Lomax At both the national and state level, this election was about as shocking as they come. Everyone knew that it was likely to be a good night for Democrats, but absolutely no one predicted the level of the blue tide, nay, tsunami that rolled in. But even if it was joyous evening for Arizona Democrats writ large, … Read More
Handicapping the Elections: How Arizona’s Statewide Races Will Play Out
By Alexander Lomax Arizona’s ballot is long this year. Voters will choose a governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, schools chief, mine inspector and two corporation commissioners. For the first time, they will also elect a lieutenant governor, paired on a ticket with the governor. Early ballots are already coming back, so here is how we see each race … Read More
The Ace and the Unforced Error: Ugenti-Rita’s Tale of Two Moments
By Ronald Sampson Michelle Ugenti-Rita has had two very different moments on camera lately. One was a masterclass in how to answer a powerful opponent. The other, caught on camera at a debate, handed her rival a gift. First, the ace. Standing in front of a sign that shows her in cornrows, Ugenti-Rita said Axon could have simply opposed her … Read More
Guest Editorial: Scottsdale’s Foundation and its Future, 75 years and beyond
By Vice Mayor Maryann McAllen Recently I attended a reception for the book, “Hands-on History , Residents Reflect on Scottsdale’s 75 Years”. It was filled with the Who’s Who of Scottsdale. Former Mayors, local business leaders, and civic volunteers, all of whom had a hand in shaping our beautiful city. The guests included many of the 75 writers who shared … 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
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
Ethan Knowlden Shows Scottsdale How to Lose With Class
Ethan Knowlden ran for Scottsdale City Council this year and came up just short. A few weeks later he posted a sweaty selfie from a morning run in DC Ranch, captioned “Running in the 6’s (hours) right now means running in the 80’s (degrees). Which is healthier than any other form of running I’ve done lately.” That’s it. No bitterness, … Read More
3 versus 1 for 2: the Interesting Math for the Final Two Seats in the Scottsdale City Council
By Alexander Lomax Scottsdale’s November ballot is shaping up as an arithmetic problem. Four candidates. Two seats. Three of them share the same lane. One does not. The Scottsdale general election will give every voter two council votes to spend. How those votes get spent, or deliberately withheld, will decide this race. Barring surprises from the final canvass, the field … 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
Buckle Up Phoenix and Scottsdale: Soon You Will Not Be Able to Escape the LD4 Senate Race
By Vanessa Rogers Legislative District 4 voters are about to learn what it feels like to be a battleground. The money pouring into this Senate race already signals a fall onslaught of mailers, TV spots and digital ads that will be impossible to avoid. The Money Is Already Absurd Incumbent Republican Sen. Carine Werner started the year with $272,939 already … Read More