Polling on Arizona’s statewide races has consistently shown GOP candidates on top, and Republicans are optimistic that the anti-Democratic mood sweeping the state and the country will give them total control of state government.

Only a couple of relatively competitive races stand between Republicans and their first sweep of Arizona’s six statewide offices since 1994, not including the Corporation Commission.

With the state's budget crisis showing no signs of abating, voters on Nov. 2 will be electing a governor who could have a yearslong headache while trying to keep the state running and in the black amid a still unsteady economy.

Gov. Jan Brewer insisted Tuesday her health is fine despite what she called "outlandish and completely unsubstantiated" Internet blog posts suggesting she might not be able to serve a full four-year term.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain had a terse exchange over border security in a Wednesday hearing on terrorism threats.

Arizona is one of a handful of states that do not have a lieutenant governor, but that could change if voters approve a proposition on the November ballot.

Gov. Jan Brewer faces a little-known moderate Tuesday in a Republican primary election contest that saw her prospects boosted by her signing of a controversial law targeting illegal immigration. Attorney General Terry Goddard was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

As the year began, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer faced a competitive field of fellow Republicans who wanted her job, with some GOP critics sensing she was particularly vulnerable as she sought voter approval of a sales tax increase she'd proposed to shore up the state budget.

As a former governor of Arizona, you know the devastating effects illegal immigration and the Mexican drug cartels have on our state. As secretary of Homeland Security, you know the Tucson Sector along Arizona’s southern border has become the gateway for drug cartels and human smuggling activity.

Terry Goddard’s gubernatorial campaign brought on a second high-profile member of the Napolitano administration with the addition of Jeanine L’Ecuyer as deputy campaign manager.

2002 PRIMARY GENERAL Party Candidate Votes Votes % Democrat Janet Napolitano 128,702 566,284 46.2% Alfredo Gutierrez 50,377 Mike Newcomb 14,373 Mark Osterloh 31,422 Libertarian Barry Hess 1,411 20,356 1.7% Gary Fallon 1,354 Republican Matt Salmon 174,055 554,465 45.2% Betsey Bayless 92,473 Carol Springer 44,333 Diana Kennedy (write-in) 8 Steve Moore (write-in) 16 Independent Richard Mahoney 84,947 6.9% No party six ...