Among the midterm battleground states, few command as much national attention as Arizona, which has two marquee races — governor and U.S. Senate — at the top of the ticket. One progressive coalition, however, is making an eight-figure wager that the key for Democrats' success is down-ballot: the usually sleepy campaign for secretary of state.
Way to Win, a national donor network, and a cadre of local grassroots organizations are homing in on the race for top elections official not just as essential for ensuring fair elections in a pivotal state, but also as a catalyst to build Democratic wins in the state despite stiff political headwinds.
The groups' focus is yet another sign of how the once-obscure administrative post has become a prime political focus. On the right, supporters of former President Donald Trump's lies about a rigged election in 2020 are pushing laws to restrict voting access and rallying around like-minded secretary of state candidates. Those who reject Trump's fraud claims warn that fair elections, the foundation of American governance, are under threat.
