Arizona

Is Arizona an ‘emerging problem’ for Donald Trump? He could return to the state soon

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2024

Is Arizona an ‘emerging problem’ for Donald Trump? He could return to the state soon

Arizona used to be a near-foregone conclusion for Donald Trump. Now it’s an “emerging problem,” according to one longtime political observer.

Vice President Kamala Harris is rising in battleground state polls and drew thousands to a political rally in Glendale last week, establishing herself as a more formidable Trump opponent than President Joe Biden was.

Now, Republicans wonder whether Trump has been present in Arizona enough and say he is losing ground to Democrats.

“They’re on their back foot,” said Chuck Coughlin, a longtime GOP strategist who left the party during the Trump era. “Arizona clearly is an emerging problem for him.”

Trump could address some of those criticisms in person as soon as next week. The former president is weighing a trip to Arizona’s southern border in Cochise County, where the U.S.-Mexico border runs for 84 miles. The region is home to two ports of entry: Douglas and Naco.

Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa and Sierra Vista police Chief Chris Hiser will be present for Trump’s visit, a city spokesperson said on Wednesday. It is not clear what day Trump might visit the county, and the former president’s campaign declined to answer questions about his travel plans.

Arizona is a top campaign destination for presidential candidates because it is among a handful of states that could decide the outcome of the 2024 election. Trump lost here by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2020, the smallest margin of any state on the electoral map. It was the first time a Democratic presidential candidate had won in Arizona since 1996 and only the second time since 1948.

Democrats had all but given up on Arizona’s presidential prospects at the beginning of the summer, but the well-choreographed swap at the top of the ticket has injected new enthusiasm in the party.

Harris held smaller Arizona events during her tenure as vice president but drew a crowd of 15,000 to Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale last week for her first Arizona appearance as the Democratic nominee. Trump addressed some 4,000 people at a rally at Dream City Church in Phoenix in June.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report just changed its Arizona presidential election forecast from “lean Republican” to “toss-up,” and a survey from Coughlin’s polling firm HighGround found Harris narrowly leading Trump in Arizona 44% to 42% among likely voters. (The HighGround survey was conducted July 30-Aug. 5 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.38 percentage points).

“I didn’t think Democrats thought they could win out here,” Coughlin said. “Now they’re like, oh … we might be able to win this thing.”

The Trump campaign has put more resources into Arizona lately, dispatching vice-presidential nominee JD Vance for a rally and border tour in Cochise County, the same region Trump is considering visiting.

Trump and his allies are also pouring millions into TV ad buys to attack Harris on immigration and the economy. MAGA Inc. just announced a $100 million TV ad buy across the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina, POLITICO reported.

“It’s hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes, just how bad the policies of the Kamala Harris administration have been when it comes to the southern border,” Vance said during his trip to the border wall, making sure to attack Harris on one of her most vulnerable issues.

Trump has veered off track with his messaging, though, according to one of his Arizona backers. Trump “never stops speaking” and should stick to a campaign message that can broaden his coalition, said Arizona Republican Alberto Gutier, who served as a Trump elector in 2016.

“Trump can still win it, but he’s gonna have to solidify what’s left of the party,” Gutier said, pointing to struggles Arizona Republicans have faced in recent years. The GOP lost three Senate races, the Governor’s Office, the Secretary of State’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office during the Trump era.

For its part, the Trump campaign said his momentum is growing and attacked Harris on the economy and the border.

“Everything — from rent, groceries to gas — is far more expensive under Kamala Harris. Under her failed leadership, Arizona families have experienced record high prices and an unruly border crisis; our communities have been less safe, and deadly drugs are killing our youth. President Trump offers Arizona voters hope through his agenda to make Arizona safe and affordable again,” Trump campaign spokesperson Halee Dobbins said in a written statement.

“The momentum is only growing for Trump ahead of November as voters grow sick and tired of Harris’ lies and unlivable policies; Arizona won’t buy her gaslighting this fall.”But Gutier said he’s worried that Harris appeals to a noteworthy voting group that could help sway the election result.

“Here in Arizona, young people, a lot of people who have not been involved in politics, see her as a savior,” Gutier said. “Good luck, America.”

Still, Trump just got a boost from a top Arizona Republican whom he butted heads with in the past. Former GOP Gov. Doug Ducey endorsed Trump on Tuesday, putting his “differences aside” to back the former president who once said Ducey was betraying Arizona by certifying the 2020 election results.

“Differences aside, there is too much on the line and only a Republican in the White House and a majority in the House and US Senate can ensure it,” Ducey said, throwing his support behind Trump and GOP Senate nominee Kari Lake.

No charges: Why Arizona Attorney General Mayes didn’t want to indict Trump in fake elector case

He also received praise from the Arizona Republican Party chair for taking questions from billionaire Trump booster Elon Musk during a lengthy livestream on Musk’s social media site. Harris has taken few questions from reporters since she became her party’s nominee.

“The conversation between President Trump and Elon Musk on X Spaces again demonstrated President Trump’s commitment to transparency and direct engagement with the American people,” Arizona GOP Chair Gina Swoboda said in a written statement. “In stark contrast, Kamala Harris has been noticeably absent from the media for over three weeks.”

When it comes to campaigning offline, Trump has a lighter footprint than the Harris operation in Arizona. The Trump campaign has eight offices here, compared with Harris’ 12, though it says it has plans to open more ahead of the election. Trump offices are in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Casa Grande, Sun City, Chandler, Mesa, Tucson and Kingman. The campaign also holds “Super Saturday” training sessions for volunteers around the state.

“The Harris-Walz campaign has seen a surge of momentum as voters are responding to Vice President Harris’ fight to bring down costs, secure the border, and make sure Arizona families don’t just get by but get ahead,” Harris spokesperson Jacques Petit said in a written statement.

“Meanwhile Donald Trump and JD Vance have almost no presence in the state and are running on a toxic Project 2025 agenda to ban abortion in Arizona and slash Medicare and Social Security, which is why Republicans, Democrats and Independents are coming together to defeat them and deliver the White House for Vice President Harris and Governor Walz.”

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Arizona

Why test result from bomb scare at Arizona Supreme Court changed later

Published

7 hours ago

June 12, 2026

Press Room

Why test result from bomb scare at Arizona Supreme Court changed later

Tyron “Ty” Keyonnie has been missing since a kayaking trip at Canyon Lake in the Tonto National Forest last week. His truck and camping gear were found at Acacia Recreation Site, and his kayak, phone, keys and bag later turned up elsewhere. Now his family and search crews are looking for answers as authorities ask anyone with information to contact MCSO.

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Arizona

5 key takeaways from Arizona Cardinals spring practices

Published

17 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

5 key takeaways from Arizona Cardinals spring practices

The next time the Arizona Cardinals take the practice field, it will be late July, inside the air conditioning of State Farm Stadium, as training camp gets underway. That’s when the pads will go on and when the arrival of a new season will feel tangible, even as it comes with muted expectations.

But over the past two months, head coach Mike LaFleur and the Cardinals began laying the groundwork for what their 2026 season will look like in 11 spring practice sessions — nine as part of voluntary OTAs, two in mandatory minicamp. Here are the key lessons that we learned during those practices.

Cardinals are healthier than expected

The Cardinals began their spring slate full of question marks surrounding the health of important starters. They ended with almost none.

Defensive tackle Walter Nolen is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, where he’ll aim to build off a promising but injury-riddled rookie season that ended with a torn meniscus. The same goes for tight end Tip Reiman, a key weapon in the run game who suffered a season-ending foot injury last year.

Cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas V are already back in practice after missing all of last year with torn ACLs. And the most surprising news centered on nickel Garrett Williams, who has a good chance to be ready for Week 1 despite tearing his Achilles in December.

Really, the only negative on the injury front came with fourth-round rookie defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor, who suffered a torn meniscus during OTAs and could miss the entire season. That’s a big blow, given Proctor’s pass-rushing upside and the Cardinals’ lack of depth at the position, but it shouldn’t overshadow the good news elsewhere.

Rookies are being introduced gradually

In nearly every offensive position group at OTAs and minicamp, there was a trend: highly drafted rookies working behind unheralded veterans.

At running back, Jeremiyah Love worked behind Tyler Allgeier during drills. On the offensive line, Chase Bisontis worked with the backups, while Isaiah Adams operated as the starting right guard. And at quarterback, Kedon Slovis took reps ahead of Carson Beck, who would have been working as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart if not for Jacoby Brissett’s holdout.

It’s early, of course, and the order of practice reps in May and June is not always an accurate predictor of the hierarchy come Week 1. But it was evident throughout camp that LaFleur wants to bring his rookies along gradually — for now.

“I’ve always said, the rookie will be ready when the rookie’s ready,” LaFleur said. “With that being said, this league doesn’t wait around. So there’s a level of urgency that everyone’s gotta have.”

It will be worth watching how quickly that group is able to rise up the depth chart during training camp.

LaFleur’s offense will look new to Cardinals fans

Under former offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, the Cardinals offense was often stagnant. They had the league’s fourth-lowest motion rate and preferred to beat defenses with power, relying on heavy personnel groupings. At its best, it was a bruising, punishing style of offense. At its worst, it was staid and predictable.

Under LaFleur, the overarching offensive philosophy could look quite different. As players were asked to describe his offense over the course of the past month, one clear trend emerged.

“It’s a lot of eye candy, a lot of motions,” linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. said.

“Just the different things that we do with motions and shifts,” wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. said.

“They do a lot, moving around,” safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson said.

In other words: Expect the Cardinals offense to use motion early and often. That’s no surprise, given that LaFleur’s Rams ranked fourth in usage of pre-snap motion last season, but it will be new in Arizona.

Cody Simon takes lead at linebacker

When the Cardinals signed veteran linebacker Jack Gibbens to a two-year, $7.5 million deal this spring, it seemed as if he could step into a starting role alongside Wilson. But in spring ball, it was second-year linebacker Cody Simon who appeared to have the inside track to that job.

Simon, a 2025 fourth-round pick, stepped in for the injured Wilson last November and struggled at times, taking too long to react to plays in the middle of the field. But by the end of the season, he had gained an increased level of familiarity in coordinator Nick Rallis’ defense — something LaFleur took notice of when studying the Cardinals’ 2025 tape.

“There’s tangible evidence of him, within a game, correcting himself,” LaFleur said. “… And seeing the improvement from one play to maybe 10 plays later. And it’s like, ‘Ooh, he got it right there.’

“He understood that he could have been a little bit better and you saw that. … He gets football.”

Secondary filled with competition for starting spots

At the end of spring camp, the Cardinals’ depth chart has uncertainty at all three positions in the secondary.

With Jalen Thompson gone, Taylor-Demerson appeared to have the inside track to a starting job alongside Budda Baker at safety. Instead, Taylor-Demerson and free agent signing Andrew Wingard have been rotating atop the depth chart, with that competition seemingly set to extend into the summer.

At nickel, the uncertainty depends on Williams’ health. Murphy-Bunting was moved from outside corner to the slot this offseason and figures to be the starter if Williams misses time. But if Williams returns by Week 1, he will likely resume his starting position — so long as he is at his best.

And on the outside, second-year cornerback Will Johnson appears entrenched in one spot, but the other is wide open. Denzel Burke and Max Melton rotated through that spot during OTAs, but Thomas V returned from his torn ACL during minicamp. He, too, could push for starting snaps. With three players competing for one job, it could be among the Cardinals’ fiercest battles during training camp.

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Arizona

Jersey’s Journeys; Adopt at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona

Published

1 day ago

June 11, 2026

Press Room

Jersey’s Journeys; Adopt at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. — Here are this week’s adoptable pets going on Jersey’s Journeys to find their forever homes! They’re all up for adoption at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
– Brimley is a 9-year-old tan/buff long-haired cat. This handsome boy loves cuddles and attention. He’s curious and calm, and will be a wonderful pet. He can’t wait to be loved!
– Nelson is an adult gray and white short-haired cat. He’s a happy, affectionate, and friendly boy, and he’s easy to please. He’s a big boy with a big purr to match, and he’s a real gentleman who is very polite. He has had some health challenges, but they’re all under control. He is also positive for FIV, but his prognosis is excellent, and he’s doing great!
– Bubby is an 8-year-old tan and white Australian shepherd mix. He’s got stunning blue eyes, almost with a perpetual deer-in-headlights look. He’s a mature, calm and respectful boy, who is past his puppy stage, so he knows how to be a great roommate.
– Maverick is an adult gray and tan Dutch shepherd mix. He’s very overwhelmed in the shelter, so he’s a little shy and nervous right now. In the real world though, he loves going on car rides and hiking, and he loves people and dogs. He’ll do great as soon as he’s in a safe space where he can decompress!

Claire Graham is an anchor and reporter for Good Morning Tucson on KGUN 9. She grew up in Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in musical theatre. Claire spent a decade in Washington state, but she’s thrilled to be back home in the beautiful southwest with her husband, two young sons and two rescued dogs. Share your story ideas and important issues with Claire by emailing claire.graham@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and X.

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