Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage Your Inside Track to Arizona Elections

Maria Garcia, wife of the late Democratic leader Jorge Garcia, was among three Tucson residents who were nominated Oct. 26 to replace the senator.

Dick and Peg Powell, retired teachers from Tucson, came to see U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords debate the issues with Republican challenger Jesse Kelly. What they saw, instead, was a debate sprinkled with a lot of sniping from the two candidates, and even more booing and heckling from the audience.

Senate Minority Leader Jorge Garcia had an aura of almost monkish austerity. You saw it in what he wore – earth-colored trousers and a drab polo shirt. And you saw it in how he spoke – plain and direct.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has raised nearly three times more money, has spent more than twice as much money and has continued to gather contributions at a faster pace than her Republican challenger.

The Rios family has represented Pinal County in the Arizona Legislature for the past three decades, establishing a Democratic dynasty that has withstood numerous challenges over the years. But this year a Republican with Tea Party leanings has rousted a surprising level of support in a district that has been a Democratic stronghold ever since the lines were drawn.

Several well-known Republicans from southern Arizona have thrown their political weight behind U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat who is facing a challenge from Republican newcomer Jesse Kelly in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.

The Attorney General’s Office won’t go after corporations and labor groups that donate to independent expenditure committees, despite its position that state law prohibits such contributions.

The majority of spending that can be directly attributed to the landmark legal ruling that allows corporations, unions and other groups to spend freely on candidate campaigns largely affected Republicans in the Arizona primary election.

A new poll shows majority support among likely voters to retain an early childhood development program whose revenues are targeted by the Legislature.

Many Republicans in highly competitive Senate races are facing a financial disadvantage going into the general election.