Arizona

Since the early 1990's, conservatives have been on the rise — they took control of the majorities of Governorships, state legislatures, the U.S. Congress and elected a president. Yet, also in the 1990's, another strange thing occurred: Despite being the only state to vote Republican in every presidential election from 1952—1992, Arizona became competitive.

Arizona is the second—fastest growing state in the nation (Nevada is first) — its population grew 52% from 1990 to 2003. It is now home to descendents of the oldest Americans and some of the newest immigrants. It is this population growth that makes Arizona competitive and it's in the state where the opportunities lie. Despite losing national elections, progressives have real opportunities to win locally and draw the new residents to voting for progressive Democrats.

A voluntary clean money system has been in effect in Arizona since 2000. That gives Progressive Majority the opportunity to recruit candidates early to run in every competitive race and train them under the system. Then they are free to campaign, without the focus on money, while we move on to recruit for the next election — literally paving the way to progressive power.

Arizona is a great state to test whether or not, when we have a strong candidate recruitment program in place, progressives can fare better politically under good campaign finance reform. Progressive Majority has already seen an increase in the number of progressives willing to run — and an increase in the numbers of women and people of color taking on the challenge.