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…
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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…
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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…
DetailsPreviously, we reviewed the turnout from the 2020 election and discussed the questions it raises for 2022. We posed three big questions Can Democrats maintain their enthusiasm? What becomes of the Republican Party? How will Independents react? It will take some time to find these answers and certainly there will be some missteps along the…
DetailsBy: Paul Bentz As voting started on November 3, 2020, more than 2.6 million voters in the State of Arizona had already cast their ballot – meaning the state had already exceeded 2018 turnout and nearly matched 2016 Presidential turnout before a single ballot was cast on Election Day. Ultimately, the state ended up blowing…
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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. …
DetailsBy: J. Charles Coughlin Neither America nor its people are as good as we want to believe. Most Americans, indeed, much of the world, has made an idol out of their politics. The polity which drives the narrative of both major political parties today is grievance, contempt, fear, and derision. It fails to make any…
DetailsAs many of you who have read this blog over the years know, I am very fond of the commentary of David Brooks. His column this morning was one of those moments, in the midst of the storm of 2020, that reminds me of why I do the things I do at HighGround… It is about…
DetailsIt’s time to follow James Madison’s advice For the past several weeks, we have listened and read numerous accounts of so-called “election fraud” willfully (and irresponsibly) perpetuated by Republican officials across the United States and here in Arizona. As we hear these arguments, we all would do well to remember the following facts: Both the…
DetailsWe met in the mid-nineties. He was in the burgeoning tech industry and I was helping his employer out in a major spat with Phoenix City Hall. We have stayed close and still work together today – albeit, as the photos below indicate in very different capacities. In the age of tribalism and identity, you…
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