Hot Issues in Arizona Arizona

Congressional races to watch in Arizona this year include the Senate and AZ-5 and AZ-8.

So what are some issues in Arizona and how do the voters feel?

Gas prices: Seven out of ten Arizonans say rising gas prices are taking food off their tables! A similar number favor beefing up public transportation in response to this problem, and an even higher percentage want to see price gouging investigated and prosecuted. Six in ten likely voters now see gas prices as a reason for a change in elected officials. Among Democrats and Independents, that number rises to almost three in four.

This is huge.

Immigration: Seven out of ten Arizonans favor immigration law reform that permits foreign workers to enter the U.S. without breaking U.S. law. Three quarters believe that it is a federal rather than a state responsibility to secure the borders. Only 4% of voters believe than illegal Mexican immigrants include terrorists. Two thirds disagree with the assertion that illegal immigrants who come to the U.S. seeking work on no better than common criminals. Arizonans are equally split on whether it is immoral to deport illegal workers when doing so would split up a family.

In short, while Arizonans are concerned about immigration, most are not panicked and aren’t buying into extreme rhetoric. Most are clearly open to a humane middle-ground on immigration reform.

Iraq: A poll in Phoenix shows the public is split 45%-39% over near term withdrawal from Iraq vs. staying the course (a significant shift from three years ago). But this is a gender-gap issue. Among women the split is 56-30, among men it is 35-48.

Not surprisingly, Senator Kyl’s approval numbers are slipping as are the numbers for President Bush. Both are now in negative territory. Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano remains popular with voters.

Leo Brown | June 12, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Hot Issues in Arizona Arizona

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