Journalists’ Roundtable: Local elections and Trump endorsement

Nov. 7

Local Election Results

Fischer: “A lot of people still think of it as the old county hospital… but at the end of the day, voters recognized you can’t empty the state hospital and then not provide treatment somewhere.”

Boehm: “People see a billion dollars and think, ‘There are hospitals everywhere, why this one?’ without realizing this is a different kind of system.”

Boehm: “This is where West Valley high school students can learn technical skills and in some cases go straight into the workforce. It’s a really narrow win for something that directly feeds the pipeline for those new high-tech and trades jobs.”

Fischer added that after years of pushing “four-year degree or bust,” voters are rediscovering the value of skilled trades.

Trump Endorses Lamb

Brodie: “This is the seat Andy Biggs is eyeing for governor, but Trump also basically wrote, ‘Maybe he should run for something else.’ That’s an interesting hedge.”

Fischer pointed out that CD5 is deep red, unlike CD1, where Trump has already endorsed another Republican.

Fischer: “In a safe seat like CD5, the Trump endorsement is gold in a primary. In a swing seat like CD1, you need someone who can win independents too—that’s a different calculation.”

Abortion Court Case

Fischer: “The doctors and ACLU are targeting three laws: the 24-hour waiting period, the telehealth ban and the so-called ‘reason ban.’ They argue those no longer fit in a world where abortion is a constitutional right.”

Boehm: “This case is going to set the stage for what limits—if any—are allowed under Prop 136. Is it close to an absolute right before viability, or can lawmakers still nibble around the edges?”

Hobbs sued by Judicial Watch

Fischer: “It took nine months to get an answer, which every reporter in town can relate to. The governor’s office says there’s no written order saying ‘don’t cooperate with deportations.’ But DPS put out a statement saying they won’t—so how did that policy get from Point A to Point B?”

Boehm: “They’re really trying to test whether Hobbs has violated the remaining cooperation requirements that survived from SB 1070.”

Maricopa County election database fight

Brodie: “Supervisors want a private company to audit the county’s election systems. Heap argues it’s his turf and raised privacy and timing concerns. A judge essentially said those concerns are speculative and sided with the county.”

Fischer: “This is an old fight in new clothes. Who really runs elections? The Constitution gives most authority to the Board. The Recorder is in charge of voter registration, but the Board doesn’t want to give up control of the machinery.”

Boehm: “This is about power as much as policy. And it’s not going away before 2026.”