Where Democrats Go From Here

Those of us who are watching in horror as Trump and the entire MAGA GOP continue to take a sledgehammer to US institutions, healthcare, science and basic protections, might believe that the vast majority of Americans share our perspective. The Tuesday edition of the AZ Republic tells quite a different story – and it should serve as a wakeup call for each of us.

The paper’s top of front-page headline reads, ‘Blue wave’ could wash out in Arizona’ – Democrats losing ground to GOP in voter numbers (Ronald J. Hansen and Laura Gersony). The article goes on to provide data to support the very troubling lead:

“Through July, Democrats had added fewer than 4,000 new registered voters in Arizona since the November 2024 elections. By comparison, Republicans had gained a net 35,000 in that time. Put simply, for every new Democrat, Republicans have added nine new Republicans. The No Labels Party , with a little-known agenda and no prominent office holders, registered twice as many voters as Democrats in that span.  Democrats have struggled nationally in the nearly 12 months since the 2024 election, with polls showing a drop-off in registration and identification across the country. But the Democrats’ numbers in Arizona look especially abysmal. Democratic fortunes are not any better within Maricopa County. Entering October, the number of Democrats had fallen by 10,000 since January – Republicans had added more than 600. ”  Bottom line is that Democrats are trailing Republicans by more than before.

With national polls that showing Trump under water and sinking and most voters disapproval of the GOP economic policies, their attacks on independent universities, science, vaccinations and the violent treatment of immigrants – in fact, most Americans see the country heading in the wrong direction, how can we explain  Democrats losing ground? Here in Arizona, we’ve seen the GOP push women’s reproductive rights back 160 years as they never quit trying to undermine the expressed will of the people regarding abortion access,  universal vouchers and Dark Money – and yet, they seem to be kicking our ass in voter registrations. Where are we going wrong and how do we fix it?

It’s obvious that Americans’ current policy preferences and voter registrations don’t match up. The reasons for the disparity are numerous and complex but the problems are real.  Quoted in the article, newly elected Arizona State Democratic Party Chair Charlene Fernandez acknowledges the problem, “The numbers tell a story, and the story is , we have to get to work and start registering Democrats again”. I’ve known Charlene Fernandez for many years. She was a fierce fighter for Arizona’s working families in the State Senate and for all American families working in the Biden administration. I fully trust her judgement and leadership without question. However, Charlene Fernandez cannot accomplish anything on her own – she’ll need each and every one of us to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

At stake in 2026 there are not only US House seats that we should have a chance to flip (CD 1 currently held by Schweikert, CD2 Crane and CD6 Ciscomani) but Arizona’s state legislative district seats as well. The November 2026 election will decide our next Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Arizona Corporation Commission and many county and local offices. 

The question becomes; just how competitive will Democrats be? The answer is up to us! 

Contact a Democratic candidate, the AZ State Democratic Party, your county Democratic Party or your Legislative District (LD) and find out how you can get involved and help get Democrats elected.