Arizona Democrats Secure Trifecta for First Time in 60 Years
Voters in Phoenix and statewide backed a united front, giving Democrats control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers after years of grassroots organizing.
By Layla Richardson ·
Arizona has not held unified Democratic control of its executive and legislative branches in nearly six decades, a milestone that emerged from the midterm elections held in November 2026.
Democratic candidates retained the governor’s office and gained majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature, creating a power structure that Reginald Bolding, a former state representative, described as a movement driven by sustained local organizing rather than a single campaign cycle.
Bolding, who serves as coalition director for Activate 48, stated that the shift in the political map resulted from years of consistent community work. He noted that the results point to a governor and a legislature elected on the same agenda, a alignment he said had been absent for a long period.
The timeline of this political shift began with years of grassroots efforts by nonprofit organizations. Groups including Activate 48, Our Voice Our Vote, and Living United for Change in Arizona coordinated voter outreach and community engagement leading up to the election.
Victory celebrations took place at the State Capitol in Phoenix on Wednesday. Participants cited specific economic and social pressures as the primary drivers for the vote. These included rising utility bills, concerns over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, and the impacts of the climate crisis on working families.
Alejandra Gomez, executive director of Living United for Change in Arizona, urged the newly elected officials to prioritize affordable housing, paid family medical leave, and healthcare that does not bankrupt patients. She also emphasized the need for public schools with adequate resources and driver’s licenses for residents who work in the state.
Adrian Fontes, the Arizona Secretary of State, was reelected in the same cycle. In remarks at the Capitol, he stated that the election system was secure, free, and accessible for all Arizonans. Fontes said the results reaffirmed that the people decide who governs them and that the election denialism narrative was rejected by voters.
Katie Hobbs, the reelected Democratic governor, joined Lt. Gov. elect John Giles at the Capitol into the evening. Giles, an independent who previously served as the Republican mayor of Mesa, said the ticket was chosen to work across party lines. He stated that there is no partisan approach to filling potholes, protecting water, or keeping rural hospitals open.
Hobbs said her second term will focus on affordability, assistance to middle-class families, and women’s rights. She stated that her door remains open to both parties, noting that Republicans and Democrats had previously passed balanced bipartisan budgets at her table.
Sena Mohammed, executive director of Our Voice Our Vote, spoke at the rally to clarify the demographic makeup of the victory. She said the wave was not just blue, but represented a black wave, a brown wave, and a working-class wave that had been building for ten years.
Vice President JD Vance posted on X regarding the national Republican losses. He stated that while turnout could have been better in some places, the main issue was that many voters who supported the Trump/Vance ticket in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026. He identified the war on Iran as a primary reason for the losses.
Gomez said that the conversations about policy have already taken place and that the focus is now on action. She stated that the new leaders are expected to deliver on the promises made to the communities that helped put them in power.
