In a strategic move to bypass internal discord, Arizona Democrats aiming for reelection in 2026 are channeling their efforts through the Navajo County Democratic Committee instead of the state party. This marks a significant shift following prolonged conflicts within the party and repeated demands for the removal of the current state party chair.
Democratic consultant Stacy Pearson highlighted that the new initiative, Copper State Victory, is designed to realign the party’s focus on critical tasks like fundraising and voter registration. “So, they need to keep their eye on the ball. And if that means going around the state party? Great. If that’s going to eliminate distractions and get back to basics? Perfect,” Pearson stated.
The rationale behind this pivot is rooted in declining Democratic voter registration figures, contrasted by a rise in Republican memberships. “The state Democratic party lost focus in the last cycle in that and the proof is in the pudding – 100,000 raw Democrats short where we were four years ago, and we’ve lost ground to both independents and Republicans,” Pearson noted.
Using county committees to circumvent state party structures is not a novel tactic. Both major parties have historically employed this strategy during times of internal conflict. A notable example includes late Sen. John McCain’s 2010 campaign, which saw him raise funds through the Yuma County Republican Party due to opposition from state party leaders.
In a similar vein, when Kelli Ward chaired the Arizona Republican Party in 2023, the Republican Governor’s Association channeled fundraising efforts for Kari Lake through the Yuma County Republican Party. J.P. Twist, the former RGA Political Director, candidly expressed this decision on social media, stating, “We sent our money to Yuma because we couldn’t trust you to spend it wisely had we sent it to you.”
The announcement of Copper State Victory was made by Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes, conspicuously omitting any reference to the state party. This comes in the wake of these top Democratic officials formally censuring state party chair Robert Branscomb, who has yet to comment on the situation.
Addressing the choice of Navajo County, Pearson suggested that larger counties are already burdened with extensive responsibilities, and the decision does not imply any criticism of Maricopa or Pima Counties. Missa Foy, Chair of the Navajo County Democratic Committee, emphasized inclusivity in a statement: “By launching the coordinated campaign in partnership with the Navajo County Democratic Committee, Arizona Democrats are making it clear that every community, no matter how big or small, has a voice in this election and a stake in our state’s future.”
The Maricopa County Democratic Party expressed support for the new approach, underscoring the importance of a cohesive campaign to secure key Democratic offices in upcoming elections. “MCDP strongly supports the formation of Copper State Victory. It is imperative that we reelect Governor Hobbs, Secretary Fontes, and Attorney General Mayes in next year’s crucial midterm elections. Having a strong, focused, coordinated campaign is essential. We applaud the decision to utilize the resources of the Navajo County Democratic Party,” their statement read. “We stand ready to support Copper State Victory and encourage all Arizona Democrats to do the same.”
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