Arizona has always been a force above its weight when it comes to American politics.
In 1964, we relatively small state Although it has a population of only 1.5 million, the late U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater was a standard-bearer for the Republican Party. And Arizona has a long list of iconic figures who have dominated the national stage, whether it's Mo Udall, Bruce Babbitt, Janet Napolitano, John McCain or, most recently, Kyrsten Sinema.
Currently, Arizona is once again at the center of the political world as one of the key battleground states that will determine the next US president.
in Arizona's 2020 presidential election was closePresident Biden leads the Grand Canyon State by less than half of 1 percent. And 2024 is looking tough again, with polls showing former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris winning. caught up in a close battle It is within the margin of error.
So what does it take to win in Arizona, and what do people care about? Here are five things both sides need to know about our great state.
First, Arizona is the home of millions of people. Our population has exploded over the past 40 years, but post-pandemic; Growth has further accelerated.
Affordability, climate, and opportunity are drawing people from the Midwest, California, and beyond in search of a better life. That's why Arizonans are so friendly and we love living here. Most of us chose this place as our home.
And that also means Arizonans are optimistic and positive. Winning candidates here have shown a positive vision for the future, and as recent elections have shown, residents increasingly care less about political parties and want solutions.
Second, people flock to Arizona because of its reputation for low taxes and light regulation. We're in contrast to places like Chicago and San Francisco, where a lot of people have moved.
Arizona right to work law and Lowest fixed tax rate in the country Our company is a magnet for both people and businesses. This makes some of the national movement's rhetoric troubling. Harris's The “price fixing” proposal is one example.. The same goes for the Trump campaign's adoption of a collective bargaining system.
Both camps appear to have lost sight of the free-market principles they have championed for years by winning Arizona for Democrats and Republicans alike.
But beyond that, Arizona's private sector is stepping up efforts to address pressing workforce issues like the child care crisis through innovative, market-driven solutions. Companies here are absorbing the lesson that ensuring workers have access to affordable, high-quality child care is increasingly important to attracting and retaining top talent. Arizona businesses are leading the way, demonstrating how the free market can address these challenges, rather than relying on heavy-handed government mandates.
Third, Arizona adds chip Even down to the five Cs that drive our economy: copper, citrus, cattle, cotton, and climate.
Arizona is now a center for semiconductor manufacturing. Intel expansion And TSMC has our state as its hub. This has created an investment ecosystem worth billions of dollars and created high-paying high-tech jobs. Add to that the introduction of new technology, from self-driving cars to a thriving emerging economy that rivals Silicon Valley, and Arizona has come a long way from its reputation as a “flyover” state.
Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump, along with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), can claim some credit for the policies that paved the way for this growth. They would be wise to not lose sight of that as they roll out their campaigns. Arizonans want to know what their candidacy will continue to mean for our economic future.
Fourth, we resist unwarranted federal intervention. It may be a little confusing for outsiders, but Arizona does not change its clocks to daylight saving time. why? There is already plenty of sunshine.
Arizonans like to chart their own course, so it's a good fit. And overly aggressive federal intervention is unwelcome, especially when it endangers the industries that drive our economy. The recent onslaught of EPA air quality regulations, while aimed at protecting the environment, often ignore Arizona's unique geographic and economic realities.
These onerous and virtually unachievable standards disproportionately harm key sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, which have been pillars of Arizona's growth for generations.
Recently, there have been misguided efforts by the Ministry of Education. Shifting millions in student loan debt to Arizona taxpayers The University of Arizona's acquisition of an online university is an example of why Arizona's trust in the federal government is so low. This is especially perplexing for the Biden-Harris administration because the Democratic path to victory in Arizona runs through Tucson, home to the University of Arizona.
Harris will likely score big points with Arizonans by telling the state's unelected officials to resign.
Finally, Arizona, which has a 572-mile border, is disproportionately affected by immigration. Border security is certainly a big part of that, but so is trade and tourism. And when our immigration system reaches a crisis point, as we have seen over the past few years, it affects not only public safety but also the economy.
One thing candidates and the national media need to know is that immigration is not a partisan issue in Arizona. Whether it's independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema introducing bipartisan legislation to address border issues, former Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano sending the National Guard to the border, or former Republican Governor Doug Ducey's We found that even as we worked to rebuild trade relations with the. They have some things in common.
All we need now is for politicians in Washington to do the same.
Danny Seiden is president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.
