Candidates for the 2018 election filed with the Arizona Secretary of State this week. Arizona has more than 3.6 million registered voters, including more than 1.2 million identifying as Republican and nearly 1.1 million registered Democrats.
Party leaders in Pima County are working to motivate their bases in time for the August primary. Arizona 360 sought insight into those efforts from Jo Holt, with the Pima County Democratic Party, and David Eppihimer, from the Pima County Republican Party. Both explained how their parties are energized by the Trump administration.
For a deeper understanding into what is driving interest in this year's midterm elections, Lorraine Rivera spoke to Samara Klar, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona School of Government and Public Policy.
"I think we are seeing an unusual amount of mobilization at the grassroots level, and that could, I think, indicate a higher turnout than we normally see for a midterm election," Klar said.
She also discussed how the "Red for Ed" movement, which led to more state funding for public education, could affect the election.
Two of Southern Arizona's largest economic drivers are collaborating on a unique training opportunity. Medical personnel from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are treating some patients at Tucson Medical Center. Christopher Conover reports on how the partnership serves both the military and civilian populations.
Throughout Arizona there's demand for qualified, early-childhood educators. The latest census shows that more than 60 percent of children up to age five in Arizona receive care from someone other than a parent during the day, due in part to a growing number of single-parent households and more parents working outside the home.
Jessica Harrington from First Things First and Brian Stewart from Pima Community College explained why quality childcare is crucial for early development.
On average, about 60,000 students graduate from high school annually in Arizona. Not all will pursue higher education. In Southern Arizona, Tucson Youth Development helps students form productive relationships with employers. Arizona 360 learned more from executive director Jay Slauter about how the organization assists students considered high risk.
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