Education has always been a major part of my life. My father, Dr. George N. Smith, was a highly respected teacher and school superintendent here in Arizona for over 35 years. As the superintendent of one of the largest school districts, my father lived education – at the dinner table, at church, even at the grocery store. During his tenure, Mesa’s schools were considered to be among the finest in the nation.

Outside campaign groups have ramped up their electioneering activity this month, spending roughly $246,000 to help elect or defeat state Senate candidates.

A well-funded independent expenditure group launched what is likely to be the first of numerous attacks targeting three Democratic candidates in hotly-contested state Senate races.

Republican legislative candidates in hotly-contested races have on the whole stockpiled a bigger war chest than Democrats as November approaches, finance reports filed with the Secretary of State show.

Some critics worry that California’s 31st Congressional District reflects what will happen in Arizona if voters pass the top-two initiative to change the state’s primary election system.

Although the district leans Democratic, four Democrats split up the vote in the June primary, allowing two Republicans to advance to the general election.

Others predict that Arizona would benefit from such a system, saying California’s elections have become much more competitive and participation among independents has increased.

A look at how a winning candidate who clearly didn't live in the district he was running in might get elected even though a judge ruled that he should be taken off the ballot.

The Democratic primary in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District was one of the most high-profile races in the state, but it was Republicans who turned out en masse to cast their ballots.

Even a last-minute endorsement from U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake and a Gilbert appearance by Sarah Palin wasn’t enough to turn the tide for Kirk Adams in his quest for the GOP nomination in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.

Kyrsten Sinema handily won the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 9th Congressional District, earning a 12-point win in a hard-fought contest between three of the Democrats’ most prominent rising stars.

Supporters of an initiative proposal to revamp Arizona's primary election system are going to court to win it a spot on the November ballot.