The national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is targeting 17 races this year in Arizona’s Legislature, hoping to flip both chambers to Democratic control. Republicans currently hold substantial leads over Democrats, 17-13 in the Senate and 33-27 in the House of Representatives. Democrats must win four seats in the House and three in the Senate to take control.
“The DLCC is targeting 17 crucial races in Arizona in order to seize the opportunity to flip the Arizona legislature from red to blue and establish a new Democratic trifecta – adding to the firewall in the states against the chaos from the Trump administration,” the DLCC said.
Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan (D-Tucson), co-chair of the Arizona DLCC, told Arizona Agenda, “I don’t think the average voter yet understands how close the Legislature is. They hear about what crazy stuff the Republican majority put forward yet again, and they think Democrats have no chance of overtaking them. But that’s not the case. We are basically at that 50-50 mark.”
The Democrats are “single-shotting” some of their candidates in the House races. Since there are two seats in each legislative district, they are only putting up one candidate, which gives their candidate better odds at winning one of the two seats instead of splitting the votes with another Democrat. However, Arizona Agenda reported that Democrats are more confident this year, running full slates for the two seats in some districts.
Some of the higher profile candidates the Democrats are targeting include State Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R-Phoenix). “I have represented a swing district since I was first elected in 2018,” Bolick told Arizona Insiders. “This Senate seat continues to be one of the state’s most highly competitive legislative districts. It wasn’t a surprise to learn the national legislative committee has made my race a top priority, again. I believe registered voters in LD 2 are most interested in keeping someone who has worked across the aisle and has spent time addressing affordability issues.”
“I have kids of my own and know the sheer reality they face,” she said. “I have made housing affordability a top priority these past two years. As the chair of the Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency committee for the past two years I have kept regulations to a minimum so workers can keep more of their hard earned money.”
Democrats are running a candidate against State Reps. Pamela Carter and Matt Gress (R-Phoenix). Former Democratic lawmaker Aaron Lieberman is challenging Sen. Carine Werner (R-Scottsdale). In Casa Grande, the Democrats put up one candidate to challenge Reps. Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez. In Tucson, the Democrats are running one candidate against Reps. Rachel Keshel and John Winchester.
However, Republicans have increased their lead in the legislature in recent years. They gained another seat in the Senate and two in the House in 2024, helped by Trump’s popularity winning the election that year. Additionally, Arizona, like several other states, redistricted in 2021-2022 after the U.S. Census was conducted, making several seats more favorable for Republicans.
Republican lawmakers currently hold almost 55% of the nation’s 7,386 state legislative seats. Democrats are pouring in $50 million to target 650 races in 15 chambers across the country.
“2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally transform state legislative power,” said Heather Williams, president of the DLCC.