Corporate money couldn’t buy Arizona’s Democratic primaries

Arizona is on the verge of historic change. This November, voters could elect a Democratic majority in the state Legislature for the first time in decades.

Community organizations like Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), Our Voice Our Vote Arizona, Chispa Arizona, and Worker Power understand just how much that could make possible for working families. Corporations and special interests that have held too much influence at the Arizona Capitol for too long see a different opportunity: protecting their profits and preserving their power.

Developers, landlords, utilities and other corporate interests spent heavily in this year’s Democratic primaries because they recognize what is at stake. A new governing majority would challenge the status quo politics that have allowed big corporations to protect their profits while Arizona families struggle with the rising costs of housing, utilities, groceries, healthcare, and other necessities.

Last month’s primary election demonstrated that voters are hungry for something different.

In Legislative District 8, utilities and corporate developers spent heavily against Sen. Lauren Kuby, a proven progressive champion. A race that many expected to be competitive ended in an overwhelming, 53 point victory for Kuby. Voters rejected a corporate candidate out of touch with her district and chose a leader committed to affordability, environmental protection, and governing alongside her constituents.

In the West Valley’s Legislative District 24, voters rejected a conservative Democrat and her hand-picked running mate. They elected new, community-rooted leadership in Alberto Flores and Lisbeth Arescurenaga, who are prepared to govern alongside working families and immigrant communities that have borne the brunt of Republican attacks for decades, and to fight for affordable housing, better wages and a government accountable to the people it serves.

And in Southern Arizona, corporate-backed Democrats should take notice: Even with considerable special interest spending behind them, they could not silence progressive leaders. Legislative District 20 is returning Betty Villegas to the state House of Representatives to fight for affordable housing, while voters in neighboring Legislative District 21 elected a progressive Latina, Miranda Lopez, who rejects corporate money and the agenda that comes with it.

The Activate 48 coalition knew community organizations would not remain on the sidelines while corporate interests attempted to buy the Democratic caucus. Through Activate 48 PAC, our coalition led a coordinated primary campaign that invested nearly half a million dollars, making it the largest community led legislative primary campaign Arizona has ever seen.

Together, Activate 48 partners Living United for Change in Arizona, Our Voice Our Vote Arizona, Chispa Arizona and Worker Power knocked on more than 46,000 doors in just four weeks.

We did not have blank checks from bottomless corporate bank accounts. What we had were decades of organizing, trusted relationships and a clear understanding of what Arizona communities are asking for. No amount of special interest money can buy trust.

The results speak for themselves.

These victories were not simply about individual candidates. They demonstrated that organized communities can compete with powerful interests and win, and that voters are too smart to buy into corporate lies.

If voters elect a Democratic governing majority this November, that majority must deliver. It must take action to lower housing and utility costs, protect workers, strengthen public education, defend our democracy and hold corporations accountable when their profits come at the expense of Arizona families.

Voters will face a clear choice in the general election: They can elect leaders prepared to fight for working families and govern alongside the communities most impacted by the decisions made at the State Capitol or allow the same corporate-driven, status quo politics to keep Arizona unaffordable and unaccountable.

This primary election proved that voters are ready for new leadership. Between now and November, Activate 48 intends to turn that demand for change into a governing majority, and that governing majority into real relief for Arizona’s families.

Activate 48 is a coalition of movement-building organizations working to envision and resource an intersectional, proactive, & progressive agenda for the future of Arizona. Our partner organizations include LUCHA, Our Voice Our Vote Arizona, Chispa Arizona and Worker Power.