PHOENIX (AZFamily) – A national campaign arm of the Democratic Party said Thursday that taking control of the Arizona Legislature in November is its top priority and that it is investing in a dozen local campaigns.
With Democrats already in control of the governorship, a change in power in the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate would give the party control of all three branches of state government – a position Democrats have not held for generations.
Democrats have not held a majority in the Arizona House of Representatives since the 1960s.
To gain control, the party must win two seats in the House of Representatives and two seats in the Senate.
“If Democrats controlled all three branches of government, we could pass popular policies,” said state Rep. Seth Blattman (D-9th District). “Free school lunches. Funding for public education. Those are policies that people agree with. It would also mean the end of 50 years of Republican control.”
Blattman is one of 12 Democratic candidates in close races who received endorsements from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee on Thursday.
The DLCC said it is investing an additional $223,000 to hire staff for door-to-door canvassing, signage and digital ads. The campaign committee previously spent $131,000 on campaigns in Arizona.
“That doesn’t buy much,” Republican campaign strategist Barrett Marson said of the $223,000, noting that it’s less than $20,000 per race.
Marson expects Republicans at lower ballot spots to consider the stakes of the election and emphasize how they can counter Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
“If you give the Democrats control of the House and Senate, you’re going to see a lot of liberal policies,” Marson said. “I think Republicans are going to campaign on the idea that they don’t want to turn Phoenix and Tucson into places like San Francisco and LA.”
Blattman, a small business owner and first-term congressman, describes himself as a moderate from a “purple” district willing to work across party lines, but he said Democrats have big plans for unified government.
“It helps people who need help. It puts money into affordable housing and public education. It’s a popular cause and it will become a reality when we take control,” he said.
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