Arizona Democrats to invest in JoAnna Mendoza’s campaign

It’s a midterm year, which means campaigns for the congressional races are ramping up. For Arizona Democrats, that means investing funds in campaigns.

Democrats are planning to invest in districts that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 by as many as 18 percentage points in an effort to retake the House in November.

Arizona Democrats plan to invest in JoAnna Mendoza‘s (D) congressional campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. She is running against incumbent Representative Juan Ciscomani (R).

But is this a smart move? Chuck Coughlin, President and CEO of HighGround Inc., and Stacy Pearson, Co-founder of Lumen Strategies, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the Democratic strategy.

“It’s part of what the Democratic strategy is this Fall is to use those types of things for voter turnout,” said Coughlin.

After more Democrats than Republicans cast ballots in the Texas primary, Coughlin said there are early indications that Democrats may show up to vote later this year.

Back in Arizona, when it comes to the Republican House representative Ciscomani, Coughlin noted that, “Juan’s done well in couple of good republican cycles that have gone on down [in Pima County]. He’s been a staunch supporter of republican, of you know, common sense Republican virtues, as they remain. But, I think he’s going to be challenged in this cycle.”

“Money is flying out of helicopters in suitcases at this point from the Democrats to invest in picking up that seat,” Pearson said. “It’s always been competitive. It has an out-sized military and law-enforcement population. Those folks are getting increasingly frustrated with the President and this administration.”

Coughlin added, “Marine, veteran, mom. You would think those things would fly in the district down there. Very distinct, potentially distinct, member of Congress from the last congresswoman selected for southern Arizona… I think she will suit the district very well and be a very competitive race.”