Are Arizona Republicans in for a shock this November?
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has just shifted the Arizona Senate race from a “toss-up” to “lean Democrat.”
Senate and governors editor, Jessica Taylor said in her explanation of the move that the Arizona Senate race may be the best example of Democrats being in a strong position to hold the Senate, according to The Hill.
The race between incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly (D) and Blake Masters (R) has been contentious so far but Taylor noted she believes Democrats are more willing to pour support into Kelly’s campaign found as opposed to Republicans.
Taylor noted Kelly had raised $54 million for his campaign and still had almost $25 million left as of the middle of July, while Masters had raised just less than $5 million during the cycle.
“It is clear that major outside groups are focusing their manpower elsewhere,” Taylor noted.
Recently, a Super PAC associated with Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pulled a $9.6 million ad-by for Masters after previously canceling an $8 million ad-buy for the Republican candidate.
The Arizona Senate race is expected to be one of the key contests that could decide control of the upper chamber. (RELATED: Can Republicans Retake the Senate? Here’s Where Things Stand)
Taylor said Cook recently observed a focus group with likely Arizona voters who voted for former President Trump in 2016 and President Biden in 2020. All of them were unhappy with Biden, and most voted in the Republican primary for Senate this year, but 7 out of 9 said they would vote for Kelly over Masters if the election was held today.
One participant described Masters as “dangerous” to Arizona like Trump was toward the end of his term, while another said, “We’ve reached double digits of questionable things the guy’s said.”
The most recent poll by the Trafalgar Group reported Kelly with a two-point lead over his Republican challenger.
READ NEXT: Prosecutors Recommend No Charges for Famous Republican in Sex Trafficking Probe >>
