Wins and Losses

The Great News – Before We Talk Elections and Politics

The great news coming out of Arizona has less to do with this week’s election and likely more to do with the make up of the U.S. Supreme Court. Planned Parenthood dropped its lawsuit against Arizona challenging a slew of commonsense abortion regulations. This means all of the targeted CAP-supported laws will stand.

The abortion giant filed the lawsuit in April of last year asking the courts to nullify a series of regulations designed to protect women seeking an abortion. Those included a requirement to give women information on the risks and alternatives to abortion, a 24-hour waiting period to think about that information, and the requirement ensuring a doctor perform any abortion. Read about the lawsuit here.

In addition, Justice Amy Coney Barrett was on the U.S. Supreme Court bench just in time to participate in Wednesday’s oral arguments in a key religious freedom case. The Court will decide in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia if Philadelphia can demand Catholic Social Services either place foster children with same-sex couples or cease its foster-care services. A city law would force the Catholic agency to violate its long-held religious beliefs in order to continue its social services. What a joy it was to hear Justice Barrett asking questions! Listen to the oral arguments here. Read analysis of the hearing here.

Election Wins and Losses

As of Friday morning, President Trump is within less than 45,000 votes of defeating former Vice President Joe Biden in Arizona. Just over 200,000 votes remain to be counted in Arizona. For the most up-to-date information on Arizona results, follow Data Orbital on Twitter @Data_Orbital. Data Orbital’s George Khalaf continues to be bullish on President Trump’s chances in Arizona.

Nationally, the race remains too close to call. I have no way of knowing the truth about allegations of voter fraud, integrity of elected officials, etc. I do know that it is a time to continue to be in prayer for our nation and for a peaceful resolution of the presidential race. Remember to pray for those in authority over us and to trust in God as we are commanded to do in God’s Word.

President Trump filed lawsuits in a number of states challenging questionable election practices enacted due to COVID-19. One challenge asks the U.S. Supreme Court to rule null and void on all ballots received in Pennsylvania after Election Day. No word yet if the Court will hear the case.

All this means, it could be a while before we know who will be the next President of the United States.

Let’s take a look at what we do know today.

The Good News

1. The U.S. Senate appears poised to retain a conservative Republican majority though we may not know until January the final numbers. The U.S. House has picked up more pro-life Republican women and may have 7-12 more Republicans when the count is final.
2. Arizona State Legislature is more conservative and likely more pro-life than the past two years. The final count looks to be:

• AZ Senate: 16 Republicans and 14 Democrats. Senator Karen Fann will remain Senate President. With Representative Nancy Barto’s defeat of Senator Heather Carter in the Legislative District (LD) 15 Primary Election, we should have a strong pro-life majority in the AZ Senate. At this writing, it’s still possible that Kate Brophy McGee eeks out a victory in LD 28 over Christine Marsh but that doesn’t appear likely.
• AZ House: 31 Republicans and 29 Democrats. Republicans have re-elected Representative Rusty Bowers as House Speaker and chosen Representative Ben Toma as Majority Leader and Representative Leo Biasiucci as House Majority Whip. The newly elected Republicans appear to be somewhat more conservative than the House of the last two years.

Optimism abounds for opportunities to promote and see enacted pro-life, pro-family policies this next legislative session.

Despite projections of huge Democrat pickups in the U.S. House, Republicans actually gained at least six seats, if not closer to twelve when the counts are final. The House will have more pro-life women than previously – a very positive sign. Further, the U.S. Senate appears poised to retain a conservative Republican majority, though we may not know until January when one or two races from Georgia are finalized. Control of the Senate is key to confirmation of judges and keeping a potential President Biden agenda in check.

The Bad News

1. Martha McSally’s apparent loss to Mark Kelly means both U.S. Senators from Arizona are now Democrats. Just over four years ago, they were both Republicans.
2. Both of the CAP Action endorsed mayoral candidates lost their races: Matt Nielson in Gilbert and Lisa Borowsky in Scottsdale.
3. Despite great effort, both Proposition 207 and 208 passed, legalizing recreational marijuana and raising taxes on small businesses.

These losses are largely due to millions of dollars of outside money and influence coming into Arizona in a concerted effort to flip our state blue, along with Texas, and other states. Big marijuana locally and nationally spent millions to get legalization on the ballot. National education establishment groups spent millions to get the Invest in Ed measure on the ballot and for the campaign. Mark Kelly had millions from out of state.

Liberal activists outspent supporters in many local races, often by a 3-1 margin. Over $3 million dollars in independent expenditures went into the effort to defeat Republican Wendy Rogers in LD 6, J.D. Mesnard in LD 17, and Paul Boyer in LD 20. Millions more were spent in an effort to defeat other Republican candidates throughout the state. Despite the millions of dollars spent to flip the Arizona Legislature from red to blue, conservatives have prevailed.

It’s apparent that the population influx is changing the state’s largest county, Maricopa County. The county has grown by upwards of 300,000 over the last several years with about 100,000 expected in 2020 alone. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appears poised to change from 4-1 Republican margin to 3-2 Republican. Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel appears likely to win over Democrat Julie Gunnigle but the race has been close.

Some Good News

Out of the seven U.S. Congressional candidates endorsed by CAP Action, it appears four will be re-elected: Paul Gosar in CD 4, Andy Biggs in CD 5, David Schweikert in CD 6, and Debbie Lesko in CD 8. Although behind in the initial election results, Schweikert has pulled sufficiently into the lead and retained his seat. A slight chance remains for Tiffany Shedd to defeat Congressman Tom O’Halleran in CD 1 but it’s a longshot.

A Final Word

In 2022, Arizonans will again vote on the U.S. Senate seat likely to be held by Mark Kelly. Arizonans also will vote in a new Governor and Attorney General as well as elect state senators and representatives. Those statewide races began Wednesday. CAP Action made a difference this election cycle and we’re already setting plans for 2022. We’re not going anywhere.

Funding for Center for Arizona Policy is separate from CAP Action’s work to elect candidates sharing your views. Even though donations to CAP Action are not tax-deductible, I hope you will consider a gift today.

 

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