The Veridus BLOG

It took only five weeks, but the newly minted Arizona Independent Party has its first entrant in what’s already a crowded field for Governor this year. Arizona health care executive Hugh Lytle joined the race Tuesday, vowing to “bridge the partisan divide.” He accused the Democratic and Republican parties of being “trapped in a fight that never ends. They argue, they posture, they divide, but they don’t solve big problems.”

The Arizona State Capitol revving to life wasn’t the only political news in recent days. Statewide candidates also filed their Q4 campaign-finance reports, giving us a good idea who’s got cash as the 2026 election year gets underway.

Today, Governor Katie Hobbs released her fiscal 2027 Executive Budget, a $17.7 billion General Fund spending plan that prioritizes her affordability agenda - including a $236 million tax cuts package.

Today, the 57th Arizona Legislature assembled for the 2nd regular session at the Arizona State Capitol as Governor Katie Hobbs delivered her fourth State of the State address. 

The 2nd Regular Session of the 57th Arizona Legislature convenes Monday at the State Capitol, with Governor Katie Hobbs set to deliver her fourth State of the State address as the headliner of Opening Day.

Did you hear? Arizona has a new political party! Or, to be more specific … a relabeled political party. 

If at first you don’t succeed … National Democrats are taking that axiom to heart, as this week they once again named the Arizona Legislature a prime flip target in 2026. It was only two years ago that the party boasted and spent big on a failed 2024 effort to take control of the Arizona House and Senate. 

It’s not every election that a sitting U.S. Senator needs to call in  to cure his own ballot.  Yet, this is where Maricopa County finds itself following the first election canvass under Recorder Justin Heap.  As part of this week’s certification of the Nov. 4 election, it was revealed that nearly 6,000 mail-in ballots out of approximately 700,000 cast had been rejected by the Recorder’s Office due to signature concerns. Republican and independent voters were impacted the most

Do Democrats have their mojo back? After 12 months of soul-searching, reflection and countless political obits, Democrats romped Tuesday  with big victories in Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, California and elsewhere. The wins raise further questions about the reliability of President Trump’s MAGA coalition during elections when his name isn’t on the ballot, and raise red flags for the GOP and its narrow House and Senate majorities as we approach the 2026 midterms. During the

Campaign-finance reports for the 3rd quarter were made public this month for statewide candidates, but not much fuss was made. Expect far more attention to be paid in 2026 as the dollar amounts - and stakes - get bigger. 

Friday marks 90 days since the Legislature adjourned sine die, which means each of the bills Governor Katie Hobbs signed into law last session (minus those that had an emergency clause and became active immediately) are now effective.

Arizona’s congressional delegation will soon return to full strength, as this coming Tuesday brings the CD-7 special election to replace deceased Congressman Raúl Grijalva.

You come at the king … you best not miss. Last month, Arizona Republican National Committeemen Jake Hoffman (a state Senator representing...

It wouldn’t be a high stakes Republican Primary in Arizona without serious melodrama. 

The 2026 Primary Election is just over a year away, but fundraising season is in full swing. Candidates for statewide office posted Q2 figures this week. 

To the surprise of nobody, Arizona Democrats voted Wednesday to dump state party Chairman Robert Branscomb. The action followed a dramatic six-month term that saw fundraising for the Arizona Democratic Party dry up as donors and top officials such as Governor Hobbs, U.S. Sens. Kelly and Gallego and others distanced themselves from the organization. 

That was … a lot. The Arizona Legislature adjourned Sine Die on Friday, thus concluding a marathon, 165-day session that nearly spilled into the next fiscal year. Only 48 hours ago, a State government shutdown appeared imminent as budget talks were deadlocked and two consecutive spending plans lay vetoed on Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk.

The First Regular Session of the 57th Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die at 12:57 PM. Over the course of the session, 1,724 bills were introduced, 225 were signed into law and 169 were vetoed.

Call it the “Turning Point Ticket.”

Axon may have won its battle against the City of Scottsdale, but the war over its proposed corporate headquarters has only just begun.