Thank You. This month, HighGround is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. I never, ever, thought that would happen. I was 33 years old when I left Governor Symington’s office in 1996. Of the many things I have learned since then, one of the most important is that you can never do anything worthwhile on your own. …
Details
Latest poll shows 55% of likely voters oppose & 44% less likely to support candidate who backs audit. Contact: Paul Bentz, 602-528-3684 PHOENIX (May 27, 2021) – As Legislative leaders attempt to secure every Republican vote to pass a budget, the audit becomes a good lens to see why legislative leaders have only one seat…
Details
By: Paul Bentz There are two fairly consistent truths that I have discovered in my more than decade of experience in public opinion research: 1) Local governments remain incredibly popular among the electorate; 2) No issue can survive without building a coalition of support. On the first point, I have performed countless surveys where I…
Details
Today, former Governor Brewer recounts the troubled times she inherited in 2009 when she first became Governor. As the leaders of her transition team we were overwhelmed by the size of the budget deficit she inherited, the largest per capita of any State in the nation. Of course that collapse was preceded by record spending and tax…
Details
Arizona firm recognized for Best Lit Piece, Best Website and Best Online Video by Campaigns and Elections at the 2021 Reed Awards Conference HighGround Public Affairs, the longest continually operating public affairs firm in Arizona, was recognized at the 2021 Campaigns & Elections Digital Reed Awards Conference for Best Lit Piece, Best Website and Best Online Video. This marks the 11th consecutive year in…
Details
Voting has officially begun for the 2021 Best of the Capitol awards! HighGround is humbled to be nominated among so many outstanding individuals and companies in our community. We are proud to see a number of HighGround friends and worthwhile causes among those also nominated. The HighGround team has been nominated for various categories listed below.…
Details
By: J. Charles Coughlin I have been asked countless times, “What’s up with that State Senate audit going on down at the Madhouse on McDowell? That seems crazy, right?” I have responded countless times that no, it is not crazy if you understand the rabbit hole of American and Arizona politics. So, let me attempt…
DetailsBy: Paul Bentz Like most political practitioners in Arizona, I remain shocked a week later at the announcement that Arizona would miss out on adding a 10th Congressional District. Arizona was in the top five in the nation in both employment and wage growth. It is also home to one of the “fastest growing cities…
Details
HighGround was well represented at the 2021 Virtual Pollies, winning three awards from the American Association of Political Consultants at their online celebration of the best in political campaigning and advertising. Considered the “Political Oscars,” the annual event is a bipartisan gathering for politicos from across the country and well known for awarding the prestigious…
Details
By: Paul Bentz Spring is in the air and there is a growing buzz among some school districts as well as some cities and towns that 2021 might be a good year to call a special election. In fact, some locations already have elections on the books – in Maricopa County, Phoenix has a run-off…
Details
As Senator Mark Kelly begins his service in the United States Senate, he is quickly faced with a defining moment in his early political career – a choice that potentially could shape the two years leading up to his next appearance on an Arizona ballot in 2022. On several occasions, HighGround has pointed out that…
Details