Republicans need to regroup, eye 2022 elections

The 2020 election should be a wakeup call for Arizona Republicans.

For the first time in almost 25 years, a Democratic presidential nominee won our state’s electoral votes. For the first time in almost 70 years, both of our U.S. senators are Democrats.

Given these results, it is clear that the party needs to regroup and refocus their efforts on winning future elections. Unfortunately, however, some Republicans are still fighting the last election.

Right now, there is a lot of rhetoric from Republicans nationwide and in Arizona about how the election was “rigged” or “stolen.” Though the facts say otherwise, some people are claiming massive voter fraud took place across the country. Some Republicans are even attempting to overturn the results of the election through litigation or by sending different electors to the Electoral College.

Some of our leaders, like Governor Doug Ducey and Attorney General Mark Brnovich, are right to avoid this kind of rhetoric and uphold our election integrity. Other Republicans across the state should follow their lead.

This election, there was a lot worth celebrating. According to the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council, this election was “the most secure in American history.” Even in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic, a record high number of voters participated. Their votes were counted fairly, and their voices heard.

For members of the party to claim otherwise not only diminishes this incredible achievement, but it has a real effect on the voters. According to a Reuters poll taken around mid-November, 68% of Republican voters have concerns that the election was rigged. The poll also found that barely half of all voters believe the election was “legitimate and accurate.”

This is deeply troubling. If we tell our voters that they can’t trust our election system, they could very well stay home in the next election.

Republicans can’t afford that in Arizona.

Right now, traditionally Republican areas across our state, particularly Maricopa County, are rapidly trending to the Democrats. In 2012, Mitt Romney won Maricopa by about 12%. Just four years later, Donald Trump won the county by just 3%. This year, President Trump lost Maricopa by at least 2%. Considering Maricopa County is home to over 60% of our state’s residents, this leftward trend could spell long-term trouble for Arizona Republicans.

What’s driving this is our state’s explosive population growth. In just 10 years, Arizona gained about 900,000 residents. As someone who works in real estate, I see firsthand this incredible growth and development in our state every day. This is exciting for the future of our state’s economy, but it also creates a new challenge for Republicans.

To be successful, Republicans need to reach out to the new people in their communities and understand their perspectives. They need to show them how conservative solutions will help improve their lives, raise their families, and run their businesses better than what Democrats propose.

\What we don’t need to do is attack the foundations of democracy.

It may not seem like it, but the 2022 midterms are not that far off, and there’s a lot at stake. Mark Kelly will be back on the ballot, as will the governorship, seats in the Legislature and local races. Arizona Republicans need to focus all of their efforts on organizing, registering new voters, and getting people to the polls in two years.

However, if the party continues to needlessly fight about the last election, they may end up losing even more ground in the next one.