ABC15 Arizona: Can Democrats flip the Arizona Legislature? Money pours into swing districts

October 3, 2024

An Arizona progressive group is pouring half a million dollars into key legislative races – one more sign Democrats believe control of the state Legislature is in reach.

Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona turns out voters and advocates for progressive policies. The group is investing $500,000 in swing-district races.

"You know, the reality is, for the first time in a long time, we have the chance to move from defense to offense,” said Sena Mohammed, the group’s executive director.

Democrats haven’t controlled the Arizona Legislature in decades. The party last had majorities in both chambers in the 1960s.

But with Republicans holding razor-thin, one-seat majorities in the Senate and House, Democrats see an opportunity.

“We have more staff on the ground earlier than we've ever had before,” said Sen. Priya Sundareshan, D-District 18. “We have raised more money and have put more money towards this flip effort than we ever had before.”

Sundareshan, who heads up the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the party is also doing something new: Running candidates in every district.

“We need Democratic control of the Legislature simply to be able to make sure that we focus on governing and to actually fix the issues that Arizona voters want to see addressed,” she said.