The Veridus BLOG

The latest signal that federal investigators are examining results of the 2020 election came this week as the Arizona State Senate complied with a grand jury subpoena for results of a Senate-led audit of the presidential contest. Information handed over is believed to include digital scans of ballots cast by Maricopa County voters in that election.

This marks the first time in 12 years that Arizona won’t play host to a U.S. Senate race, but that doesn’t mean our state won’t take center stage in 2026. Multiple Arizona House seats are in play, and the delegation will see at least two new faces as longtime GOP Congressmen Andy Biggs and David Schweikert depart in order to run for Governor.

Controversial state legislation is dead - for now - that would have required county officials to “provide for the presence of federal immigration law enforcement personnel” at polling locations.

The Republican field opposing Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs shrank this week as Arizona businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson bowed out of the race.

This week, former Arizona GOP Chairwoman Gina Swoboda said she’s considering dropping out of the race for CD-1 and running for Secretary of State instead. That would pit her against state Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale), a Freedom Caucus favorite. The GOP nominee, of course, would face Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes in November.

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.