By: 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…

Previously, 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…

By: 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…

By: 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…

As 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…

It’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…

We 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…

Electorate at a near even split 50.0% in favor to 47.0% opposed to Senate confirmation vote  Contact:  Douglas Cole, 602-686-9712 PHOENIX (October 8, 2020) – The vast partisan divide and rural/urban split that dominate the national political landscape are on full display in Arizona when it comes to the potential confirmation of a new Supreme…

Astronaut Mark Kelly maintains commanding lead among key “swing” demographics that lead Sinema to victory two years ago. Contact:  Paul Bentz, 602-528-3684 PHOENIX (October 7, 2020) – On the day that millions of ballots are mailed to voters throughout the State of Arizona, Senator Martha McSally faces nearly a seven point deficit to her challenger…

Test of actual ballot language for “tax surcharge” shows passage among most partisan segments Contact:  Chuck Coughlin, 602-528-3684 PHOENIX (October 7, 2020) – The latest statewide survey conducted by HighGround Inc. reveals that Proposition 208, the 3.5% income tax “surcharge” on Arizona’s highest wage earners, is likely to pass with 56.0% Yes to 38.0% No. …

Latest HighGround poll shows dead heat – revealing the struggle between Trump’s rural Arizona gambit and Biden’s need for record returns in Maricopa County  Contact:  Paul Bentz, 602-528-3684  PHOENIX (Oct 6, 2020) – Following a rollercoaster week that started with a chaotic debate performance and ended with Covid-19 diagnosis for President Trump, the latest poll…

Two years ago, I revealed that the 2018 “Blue wave” was real but it wasn’t what everyone thought.  It was fun to let people in on Arizona’s little secret.  While our voter registration remains fairly even, Republicans tended to over-participate in elections while Democrats stayed fairly even and independent and unaffiliated underperformed. Ultimately, as I…

For nearly 40 years, since the time of Ronald Reagan, it has been Republican orthodoxy that  “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.” It was the rallying cry against overreaching government programs, the guiding principle for Republican tax policy, and the underlying paradigm through which Arizona legislated over the last…

After 35 years of being a part of and running numerous campaigns, I can say with absolute certainty that running for public office always reveals character.  In the crucible of a campaign, a candidate’s character is always revealed; sometimes that experience emboldens and strengthens them and sometimes it is humiliating and defeating.  Two examples of…

We need your help!  Just like we always say to our candidates, you need to ask every person for their vote.  Well, it’s that time of year again and we need your vote for Ranking Arizona’s Best of the Best Awards. how to improve eyesight Go to the Ranking Arizona site:  http://rankingaz.azbigmedia.com/index.php There are two…

Here at HighGround, we often say that accurate and unbiased survey data is one of the most important tools in your toolbox.  Our team has more than a decade of survey experience and has become a statewide leader in determining and measuring statewide, regional, and local behavior.  During that time, we have seen a lot…

65% of Arizona voters plan to vote yes on the Smart and Safe Arizona Act Contact:  Paul Bentz, 602-528-3684  PHOENIX (June 1, 2020) – If there is one thing Arizonans can agree on in this deeply partisan election cycle, it’s marijuana. When asked whether they would vote Yes or No on the Smart and Safe…

President Trump and long-term care facilities at the bottom of the list Contact:  Paul Bentz, 602-528-3684 PHOENIX (May 29, 2020) – Over the past three months, the strength and overall excellence of Arizona’s key institutions has been on display in dealing with COVID-19 and its impact on the state’s residents.  HighGround’s latest statewide survey shows…

Majority of the electorate also ready to allow students to go back to school  Contact:  Paul Bentz, 602-528-3684 PHOENIX (May 28, 2020) – In the week following the easing of Arizona’s stay at home restrictions, the latest statewide survey conducted by HighGround, Inc. shows a plurality, not a majority,  of likely voters (41.3%) believe that…

GOP Senator faces steep hill as Democrat opens double digit lead – mission is not over though  PHOENIX (May 22, 2020) – When it comes to General Election backing, Senator Martha McSally falls short in earning the same level of support as President Donald Trump in Arizona. The latest HighGround poll has former Astronaut and…

Biden leads 47% to 45% in latest statewide survey – nearly 30% of likely voters blame Trump for spread of coronavirus. PHOENIX (May 26, 2020) – Despite low marks for handling of corona virus and high “blame” for its spread, President Trump only trails former Vice President Joe Biden by a slim two points –…

HighGround has recently conducted a live caller survey on a number of issues facing Arizona right now in light of the everchanging political landscape leading into the 2020 elections. Starting next week, we will be sharing the results of those surveys covering everything from Arizonans opinion of Trump, Biden, and the Coronavirus response, how Arizonans…

For the last several years, HighGround has supported and respected St. Vincent DePaul for their incredible work in serving the homeless and vulnerable population in Arizona. One of the programs they oversee is a Rent Assistance program where they are able to prevent homelessness through one-time rent assistance to vulnerable families and individuals. This has…

A little over two months ago, Arizona was one of the fastest growing states in the country and boasted a booming economy that was one of the nation’s leaders in employment and wage growth.  Our economy has certainly slowed down, but there is still some good news such as TSMC announcing a chip factory in…

In the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about something Alexis De Tocqueville implied in his classic Democracy in America: America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. I’ve been thinking about this because, right now, we need America to be great. We…

Bravo! As our good friend Senator John McCain used to say, “Remember the words of Chairman Mao: it’s always darkest before it’s totally black.” Well, in these troubling times we got a bit of good news today.  The Arizona State Supreme Court unanimously upheld the City of Phoenix’s ordinance charging Uber & Lyft fees for…

While COVID-19 has stalled many important policy issues that were under discussion, the debate regarding access fees for rideshare companies at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport continues on.  Earlier this week, the Arizona Supreme Court announced that the oral arguments scheduled for later this month have been canceled, but they will issue an opinion in…

What looks like an elephant but acts like a snake? The Goldwater Institute. Recently, a number of legislators have put forth a bill (HB2817) trying to stop the airport from raising access fees on ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. This bill is being pushed forward despite the fact that a Supreme Court case…

Arizona firm recognized for Best Online Videos by Campaigns and Elections at 2020 Reed Awards Conference  PHOENIX—HighGround Public Affairs, the longest continually operating running public affairs firm in Arizona, was recognized at the 2020 Campaigns & Elections Reed Awards Conference for Best Online Video 2 Minutes & Under and Best Online Video Longform. This marks the 10th straight year in which…

Senator Martha McSally lags Mark Kelly by more than 6 points – Race is on to define the Democratic challenger, who is still unknown to more than a third of the electorate. PHOENIX (February 19, 2020) – Arizona’s rise as a battleground state will be on full display over the next few weeks with President…

Read the full article here By:  Phoenix City Councilwoman Thelda Williams   Opinion: Some lawmakers want to stop rideshare companies paying their fair share of operating at Sky Harbor airport. The carve-out would damage the state’s top economic engine. Perplexed, astounded, and angry – those words only begin to describe my reaction to efforts by some Arizona…

by J.Charles Coughlin Last fall, my wife Patricia and I were talking about a Scottsdale Bond questions.  I was wondering aloud if voters in Scottsdale, who hadn’t passed a bond issue in many years, really cared about maintenance to increase their taxes.  She replied, “Oh honey, every woman in Scottsdale knows the value of maintenance.”  I…

Early in my career I was honored to work for Bob Robb at his firm Nelson, Ralston, Robb.  We worked on a lot of exciting and controversial issue campaigns. One in particular that I was proud to work on was the 1990 campaign to create an MLK holiday in Arizona.  Unfortunately, State Leaders put fourth…

Visit the #91in91 website here #91in91 Highlights Arizona’s Critical Transportation Maintenance and Construction Needs  State is suffering from growing maintenance gap since the fuel tax was last addressed in 1991 As part of the endeavor to increase public awareness on the state’s massive unfunded maintenance needs, a new effort known as #91in91 has been launched. …

As we look towards the convening of the 2020 Legislative session and beyond, there are many issues that will be discussed and considered. We thought it would be helpful to give you a little run down from the HighGround perspective. 1. Education Funding  Our polling continues to show that education funding is the top issue with…

All you have to do is follow….. I want you to breathe, press the play button below, and read this in peace. I haven’t written a blog post in quite a while, quite frankly because much of what constitutes public discussion these days. The President, impeachment, China, partisanship, and the economy seem stuck in a…

HighGround has been working on commercial ground transportation airport fees at Sky Harbor for the past two and a half years. We represent a coalition of offsite parking providers, attended every stakeholder meeting and could not agree more with Mr. Cohn’s opinion as stated in his recent column in the Arizona Republic. Simply put, Sky…

In case you missed it from the Phoenix Business Journal.   Save Our Schools AZ is, by far, one of the most effective grassroots organizations in the State of Arizona.  HighGround supports their efforts to provide a quality education for all students and build our future workforce.  Chuck Coughlin is honored to serve on the SOSAZ…

Since July, more than 54,000 Arizonans have registered to vote according to the latest voter registration numbers released by the Secretary of State.  Diving into the numbers, Democrats gained on Republicans this quarter – registering 3,710 more than their counterparts.  They still trail GOP registration by 140,000 and Other (Independent) registration by 75,000. However, some…

Improving the College Prep Test Experience ACT, a non-profit organization nationally recognized for its college and career readiness exams, recently announced enhancements to its college entrance exam, the ACT® test. With the changes, ACT aims to improve the test experience for students and increase access to higher education opportunities for high schoolers nationwide. Changes to…

Last Tuesday, the City of Phoenix held a historic election where voters overwhelmingly rejected Propositions 105 and 106.  For the fourth time in less than 20 years, Phoenix voters re-affirmed their support for light rail.  They also stood up against out of state interests looking to dictate the financial future of the fifth largest city…

View this article on AZ Central    Phoenix light rail and pension propositions must be stopped at all costs Opinion: Propositions 105 and 106 are direct attacks on light rail and Phoenix’s quality of life. Greg Stanton, Thelda Williams, Phil Gordon, Skip Rimsza, Paul Johnson and Terry Goddard, opinion contributors Out-of-state “dark money” forces have launched a…

Props 105 and 106 are two bad ideas for Phoenix. Vote NO by August 27. HighGround had the privilege to be part of the team that passed Proposition 400 back in 2004 and Phoenix’s Prop 104 in 2015. Since that point in time we have watched the Regional Transportation Plans blossom and bloom with the…

When Supervisor Jack Sellers was selected to join the Maricopa Board of Supervisors earlier this year, we were happy to see such a strong voice for transportation join an already stellar Board.  You see, Supervisor Sellers is a longtime member of the State Transportation Board and tireless champion for the East Valley having served for…

Cunningham Diving Deeper into Water PolicyStepping Down as HighGround’s General Counsel PHOENIX (June 24, 2019) – Veteran attorney and public affairs professional, Patrick Cunningham, will be retiring from his General Counsel position at HighGround Public Affairs Consultants to focus exclusively on water and environmental policy issues. With the passage of the Drought Contingency Plan earlier this year, much…

As the Arizona Legislature moves towards Sine Die, we at HighGround wish to express our gratitude towards all of the Legislators for their hard work and dedication on the eve of our Country’s Memorial Day Weekend. We are grateful for your service. “From whence shall we expect the approach of danger? Shall some trans-Atlantic military…

Business & Labor Leaders Oppose Prop 106. View this article on AZ Central  Todd Sanders, Britt London and Steve Beuerlein, opinion contributors Phoenicians are being asked to vote on Proposition 106, which takes a reckless approach to a long-term pension obligation and turns it into a bill we would be forced to pay now. The initiative would require the…

Seeking Clarity on the Molera Decision and Its Implications for Future Initiative Measures  “We will not stand by and witness over twenty years of transportation planning representing thousands of hours of work and billions in investment and economic development be thwarted because of the intense dislike by some of a single portion of the overall…

The answers to our diseased political culture all point to ourselves.  Earlier this week, my wife, Patricia, and I were listening to the radio about the latest discussion surrounding the immigration and border security debate.  She looked at me and said, “Nothing ever changes.”  She’s right.  It has been nine years since the explosion of…

Last March, Maricopa Integrated Health Systems (soon to be Valleywise Health) announced the purchase and re-opening of Maryvale Hospital.  At the time, we hailed the announcement a big win for the Maryvale community. We said, “There is no better example of the nexus of these two goals – protecting the taxpayers and improving community health –…

For almost two years, HighGround has worked with a broad coalition of stakeholders and community partners to provide leadership, strategy, survey research, messaging, and communications support to pass the Arizona Drought Contingency Plan (DCP).   Along the way, we have experienced many different types of days – some challenging and others heartening. One day that sparked celebration…

HighGround has had the pleasure of working with both Ted Ferris and Peter Burns for many, many years. Both were instrumental in helping several gubernatorial administrations navigate the difficulties presented when recessions hit, and state and public revenues plummeted. Their wisdom is valuable because they have helped the state avoid bigger challenges countless times by exposing bad legislation like SB 1460. The…

In the realm of politics, most issues are navigated with the “fifty-percent plus one” mentality – finding consensus among the number of folks that it takes to win an election.  The fact of the matter is, very few issues in this current political environment can achieve near-unanimous support.  That is why our recommended threshold for…

Quality transportation is critical to the future of Arizona’s economy and ensuring our ability to move people, goods, and services throughout the state.  We have fought for years to protect the HURF and ensure that our roads are adequately funded.  The problem is gas tax revenues has plummeted by almost 70% over the past 30…

By:  Barrett Coughlin Until 1993, women couldn’t even wear pants on the Senate Floor. Now here we are in 2019 questioning Arizona’s first female Senator elect’s thigh-highs.  After roughly four years in the New York fashion industry, I chose a more lighthearted career path and landed in politics. As we approach another fashion month it…

At HighGround, we often find clarity and solace in these difficult times within the columns written by David Brooks from the New York Times.  In this latest piece, “The Remoralization of the Market,” he extolls the virtues of capitalism, but also discusses how we need to refocus the role it plays in a moral and…

Lawsuit Focused on Misleading Description and Illegally Gathered Signatures    “This light rail opposition group has had ample opportunity to have their voices heard through three campaigns and hundreds of public stakeholder hearings.  They have lost, time and again, and now have set themselves on a course to upend the will of the voters. Their…

Arizona’s bright copper star and yellow shafts of light lost some luster this morning with the news of our friend Congressman Ed Pastor’s passing. The flag’s depiction of an Arizona sunrise is an appropriate way to remember our friend – his constant optimistic demeanor and his sunny disposition brightened everyone’s day. For my part, I…

On the eve of a Presidential visit in August of 2017, HighGround commissioned a poll that showed President’s Trump approval rating in Arizona at 41.8%, and his Republican support at 74% and I wrote the following observation (see the post here): “If the President and the GOP fail to expand public support beyond the GOP…

Hobbs and Hoffman lead GOP opponents each by 1 point; Brnovich leads by 8 points PHOENIX (October 30, 2018) – In the same survey that showed Governor Ducey with a commanding 19-point lead and McSally a single point ahead, other Republican candidates on the statewide ticket face a mixed bag of survey results.  Attorney General…

McSally ahead by 1-point while Ducey cruising by 19 points in HighGround’s latest statewide survey  PHOENIX (October 29, 2018) – With only a few days left until the recommended deadline to mail in ballots, the top two candidates in the race for the United States Senate are locked in a dead heat with only one…

From the Arizona Republic By:  Paul Bentz, Senior Vice President – Research & Strategy The August 2018 Primary Election had “record” turnout and the “blue wave” is real.  Both of these statements are true, but to borrow a famous line from Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride, “I do not think it means what you…

Hon. John S. McCain By:  J. Charles Coughlin My father was born in Boston and attended Dartmouth and Michigan law after World War II. He was a corporate labor lawyer in Detroit, Michigan from the late 1950’s until his retirement in the late 1990’s.  Our nightly dinner table conversation would fairly regularly focus on some…

I returned about 10 days ago from a blissful vacation and retreat in Vancouver as well as the Brew Creek Centre outside of Whistler, British Columbia.  My wife, Patricia, and I had a great retreat with twenty or so new friends.  It was led by Donny Starkins and assisted by Adam Maielau. Preparing to come…

Here at HighGround, we have been keeping track the direction of the State of Arizona (or what we euphemistically call Arizona’s “Happiness Index”) since 2009.  Back then, we were plunged deep into those dark and cold economic days:  30% of the State budget, or about $3 Billion dollars, was missing; unemployment and bankruptcies were skyrocketing;…

Dale Crogan, President of the Mesa Firefighters Association and Nate Gafvert President of the Mesa Police Association contributed their “My Turn” column published in today’s AZ Central. Mesa, now the 36th largest city in the nation, larger than Kansas City and Atlanta, has seen a 40% increase in emergency incidents since 2008. Understanding the challenges of keeping…

By:  Paul Bentz Education has consistently been the top issue facing the State of Arizona since 2014 and survey after survey shows that vast majorities of voters think schools are underfunded and teachers are underpaid.  Clearly, this issue is coming to a head across the country and here in Arizona.  Education advocates have caught lightning…

There is a great deal of media speculation surrounding the upcoming election in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District on the unpopularity of the President and the effect that may have in this special election and the upcoming General Election cycle. During a discussion earlier this week with the New York Times, I was asked about the…

In 1986, after a stint as John McCain’s Finance Director for his first U.S. Senate campaign, I found myself unemployed and not wanting to return to my native Midwest with my tail between my legs.  Early in the Spring of 1987, there was a job opening for a government relations position at the Mesa Chamber…

A little over three years ago, the voters of Maricopa County overwhelmingly passed Proposition 480 to support Maricopa Integrated Health System in their efforts to provide outstanding trauma services, operate the Arizona Burn Center, expand help for the mentally ill, and continue their teaching mission to train our next generation of doctors and nurses.  At…

Arizona has an accomplished history of managing our State’s precious water resources.  The history is long: beginning with the founders of the Salt River Valley Water User’s Association, the first Federal Reclamation project in the West (when Arizona was still a territory), and continuing with the precedent setting, state-driven, bipartisan groundwater management legislation of 1980…

By: Paul Bentz Mark Twain may or may not have said, “Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.”  However, whether the quote is authentic or not, the sentiment most definitely is.  Fighting over water is a storied part of Arizona’s rich history, and these battles continue today as we face the effects of…

As Republicans gather for their mandatory meeting on Saturday at the Church of Nations, we have a quiz question for everyone: Who is likely the only Republican at the state meeting to have endorsed both President Donald Trump and former Governor Janet Napolitano? “Besties” In 2002, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio endorsed Janet Napolitano for…

By: J. Charles Coughlin “Through your scientific genius you have made of the world a neighborhood, but through your moral and spiritual genius you have failed to make of it a brotherhood.”  – Dr. Martin Luther King 11/4/56 President Ronald Reagan signed today’s holiday honoring Dr. King’s birth into law in 1986.  It wasn’t until…

Government Affairs Expert Scott A. Smith Joins HighGround Former Chief of Staff to Governor Jan Brewer brings nearly 30 years of government experience to Phoenix public affairs firm   Contact: DREW SEXTON 602-528-3684 PHOENIX (December 20, 2017) – HighGround Public Affairs, the longest continuously operating public affairs firm in Arizona, today announced the hiring of…

The dates for the Special Election in Congressional District 8 have been set with the Primary Election to take place on Feb. 27 and the General Election to take place on April 24. That means there are just 74 days until the Primary Election and only 29 days until nomination signatures are due. With the…

The HighGround team tallied a perfect score on Election Day with all of our 2017 campaign clients scoring victories in the November.  In all, Paul Bentz, Drew Sexton, and Shelbe Hunsaker helped guide six critical public safety and education issues in three different communities to victory. Winners supported by HighGround include: Surprise Question 1 –…

PHOENIX (November 7, 2017) — A statewide Arizona survey of 500 likely Arizona 2018 General Election voters shows that just under a year out from Election Day, Democrat Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9) has extended her lead over GOP candidate Dr. Kelli Ward to a 7-point margin, 34-27. The survey, which was conducted immediately after U.S.…

If you are the least bit mystified as to why our current political system is so incredibly dysfunctional and you haven’t read The Once and Future Liberal by Mark Lilla yet, you should do so right now. It is only 143 pages and it is a worthy read.  The book not only dissects what is…

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only 76 days away.  And while it still may be a bit of time before you start to prepare your shopping lists, there is one item that you should already be thinking about: your survey data. The fact of the matter is – Thanksgiving is just around the…

By: J. Charles Coughlin Thirty-two years ago this week, I drove into town on Grand Avenue with all of the possessions I had in the world in the back of my 1985 stick shift Chevy Cavalier. Mom was on me about riding the clutch – even though she was 2,300 miles away in my home…

Over the past year, we’ve too often seen the discussion over health care reform devolve into partisan posturing and substance-free debate. Instead of following regular order and finding a bipartisan solution to the flaws in our current system, Senate Republicans have made the same mistake Democrats made in 2010 by attempting to jam through a…

Chuck Coughlin joined Mike O’Neil on Think Tank to talk Trump’s latest deal, Proposition 305 and school vouchers, and other state and local issues.  In case you missed it, you check out the show here.

PHOENIX (August 24, 2017) — A statewide survey of likely Arizona 2018 General Election voters revealed that nearly 62% of voters believe that the memorial to Confederate Soldiers on the Arizona Capitol Mall should be kept. The results are derived from the same survey that showed President Trump with a 41.8% approval rating and 56.8%…

Republican Party Divided – Provides Opening for Democrats PHOENIX (August 22, 2017) — A statewide Arizona survey of 400 likely Arizona 2018 General Election voters shows Republican incumbent Senator Jeff Flake fourteen points behind his primary Republican opponent Kelli Ward and eight points behind prospective Democratic opponent U.S. Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (D, AZ-9).  Q.        If…

President Remains Popular with GOP Base at 74%  PHOENIX (August 21, 2017) — On the eve of returning to Arizona, President Donald J. Trump’s approval rating has sunk to 41.8% according to a new statewide survey released by HighGround Public Affairs.  Despite winning the state by more than 3.5 points just nine months ago, nearly…

Bob Robb, my former employer and mentor, recently wrote a laudatory column about Jack DeBolske who passed away in July and will be memorialized tomorrow (Noon services here in Phoenix at St. Francis Church). Mr. DeBolske was, and still is, an icon to anyone who wishes to make government function as efficiently as possible. His…

Repeating history is painful… I am writing this column for myself. To always remind me that I am a very imperfect creature.   Confucius once was asked “How do we gain wisdom?” He said, “By three methods we may learn wisdom:  First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third…

HighGround’s very own Chuck Coughlin was on KTAR’s Think Tank with Mike O’Neil and internet lawyer, columnist, and long-time Democrat Bennet Kelly to discuss the topic “What is the matter with our politics?” The multipart series aired over the past two weeks explored the Republican Party in the first part and tackled the Democratic Party…

For over 30 years, the United Food Bank has been a pillar of the community, serving not only those in need throughout the East Valley but also into Eastern Arizona including Gila and Pinal, and Southern Navajo and Apache Counties.   In total, they serve over 19,608 square miles which includes some of the most remote…

Vanity Fair & New York Times Among 25 Publications To Cover Event For more than 20 years, HighGround has strived to work on the big issues that directly impact our community and our quality of life in Arizona. While some of those have been through the scope of a campaign, lobbying or public affairs effort…

Mark Barabak, a reporter for the LA Times, has paid close attention to Arizona since the Great Recession and his article posted in today’s LA Times provides keen insight into the dilemma facing our Senator Jeff Flake.  Barabak traveled to the Senator’s family’s home town in Navajo County to listen to rural Arizonans and their…

When David Wright asked his father to construct a home at the base of Camelback Mountain for him and his wife Gladys, the Arcadia neighborhood looked much different than how we know it today. In 1952, as construction began on what would be known as the David Wright House, architect Frank Lloyd Wright was surrounded…

From the Arizona Republic: James Madison wrote in Federalist Paper #10, “If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by Republican principle which enables the majority to defeat its sinister views by a regular vote.”  Yet here in Arizona, our Legislature just passed two laws substantially curtailing the public’s ability to…

The Hopes of our Neighbors “Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” –Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption If you’ve ever spent a Saturday afternoon scrolling through your TV channels and landed on TNT or TBS, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen The Shawshank…

The author Jon Meacham wrote in the “Art of Power”, his biography on Thomas Jefferson, that “he (Jefferson) knew, though, that life was best lived among friends in the pursuit of large causes, understanding that pain was the price for anything worth having.” This week Arizona lost a friend – a pursuer of just causes,…

I don’t want to trivialize one person’s suffering, but the United Airlines passenger incident last week reminded me a little of how I felt in the 2016 elections last summer and fall. Instead of being dragged off the plane against my will after I paid for a service, I was dragged onto a ballot I…

As we conclude Passover and begin the celebration of Easter, it is appropriate to recall that on this date, April 14th, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated 152 years ago.  His death happened a mere six days after General Lee surrendered his army at the  Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia to General Grant – bringing the American Civil…

My wife Patricia and I just returned from a trip to Kyoto, Japan, the ancient Imperial capital.  Patricia lived and worked in Osaka for six years in the 80’s and early 90’s for a modeling agency, so it was a return trip for her and an eye opener for me. We rented a traditional Japanese…

Over the past month, health care in America has taken over as the most-discussed public policy issue facing Congress. With House Republicans looking to pass the American Health Care Act after years of promising voters a full Obamacare repeal, many representatives and senators are feeling the heat from constituents who have gained coverage through Obamacare.…

The Role of the Surrogate: Chuck Coughlin on KJZZ Last week, HighGround President and CEO Chuck Coughlin joined Steve Goldstein of the KJZZ Here and Now program to discuss the role of surrogates and spokespersons for elected officials. In a time where Trump administration officials like Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer have gained notoriety for…

Adding to a successful election cycle that was already highlighted by an August clean sweep and two major awards from Campaigns & Elections, HighGround took home the Gold last week from the American Association of Political Consultants.  At the AAPC Annual Pollie Awards and Conference, HighGround won a total of five Pollie awards including one…

Arizona firm recognized for Best Virtual Reality Ad and Best Newspaper Adby Campaigns and Elections at 2017 Reed Awards Conference PHOENIX—HighGround Public Affairs, the longest continually operating running public affairs firm in Arizona, was recognized at the 2017 Campaigns & Elections Reed Awards Conference for Best Newspaper Ad and Best Virtual Reality Ad in the…

A primer on American Immigration & Border Security Policy When I began dating my wife, Patricia, she had an inscription on the mirror at her home that seemed profound to me then: “You can only control your actions and reactions.” In the age of Twitter politics, it is even more profound today. President Trump’s recent…

Thomas Jefferson was elected President of the United States on February 17, 1801 on the thirty-sixth ballot in the U.S. House of Representatives – breaking a tie vote. Certainly, our country has seen times of greater division than we are witnessing today. History has shown that because of an enduring American commitment to fairness and…

HighGround has been named a finalist for seven national awards from Campaigns & Elections –  the preeminent “how-to” journal of politics, focused on the tools, tactics and techniques of the political consulting profession.   The Reed Awards recognize excellence in campaign management, political consulting and political design. Teaming up with Director Art Haynie, HighGround successfully tapped a…

Since we reviewed the ballot returns a week ago, they have nearly doubled – skyrocketing from 882,000 to over 1.5 million returns.  That means we have now achieved over 62% of the anticipated turnout.  There are likely another 900,000 to 1 million people left to vote.  Now that we have another week under our belt,…

Will Arizona go blue?  Is Trump impacting other Arizona races?  HighGround President and CEO Chuck Coughlin was interviewed by the AP on current voter turnout in Arizona and its impact on the Presidential Election and other races.  Read the article here. 

In the era of early voting, we like to say that every day is Election Day.  It’s true – people are making up their minds and casting their ballots every day for the past two weeks.  Now, as the ballots start coming back in (in spite of a painfully slow US Postal service) we are…

PHOENIX – In an election year where technology has haunted both Presidential candidates, one local campaign in Arizona has successfully tapped a new technology to educate and reach voters.  Director Art Haynie and HighGround, Inc. have teamed up to break new ground in political campaigning by launching the first ever Virtual Reality campaign ad. https://youtu.be/rpQlrFUPIAo…

Nearly 30% remain undecided as outside Special Interests spend funds to influence the regulatory race PHOENIX (October 20, 2016)— In the same poll of likely Arizona General Election voters that showed Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton with a 2 point lead and U.S. Senator John McCain with a 10 point lead, 29.4% of the Arizona…

Proposition 205 just shy of 50% of the vote, Proposition 206 slightly stronger with 54% PHOENIX (October 18, 2016)— In a poll of likely Arizona General Election voters, conducted on October 14th as ballots hit mailboxes, Proposition 205 (initiative regarding the regulation and taxation of marijuana) has a slim lead over its opposition, but is…

As early voting begins, Clinton leads Trump by 2 points and McCain has a commanding 10 point lead over Kirkpatrick  PHOENIX (October 17, 2016)— In a recent statewide poll of likely Arizona General Election voters conducted on October 14th, Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton has pulled ahead of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump, 38.5% to…

According to CNN, over 80 million people watched last night’s first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Secretary Clinton, a record-setting number that shows a heightened interest in the spectacle the 2016 election has become. Whether you sided with either one of the candidates or haven’t quite made up your mind yet, participating in elections…

During the course of a public discussion this week, I was posed a question about what we should expect from the Presidential Debate this coming Monday.  My response adhered to my belief that this is Secretary Clinton’s race to lose.  The difference, I explained, will come down to how she handles the gravitational negativism –…

Earlier this summer, my longtime friend and colleague, Anne Hamilton Bark, shared with me that she has decided to spend more time with her kids and leave HighGround.  Anne joined HighGround in 1999 – over 15 years ago.  Since that time, she married our good friend Richard Bark and brought two beautiful children into the…

We are honored to announce The David & Gladys Wright House “Celebration” video was chosen as a finalist for the I Look Up Film Challenge by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professional and allied partners since 1857. The I Look Up…

As legislative and congressional races gear up for the post Labor Day run towards the finish line, HighGround President Chuck Coughlin joins Dr. Mike O’Neil and Chris Herstam on KTAR’s The Think Tank to discuss Arizona’s most watched elections and the moves available to both Republicans and Democrats to appeal to an increasingly divided electorate. …

At a time when the majority of the electorate is unsatisfied with the direction of the United States and the state of Arizona, most municipalities enjoy high approval ratings and local elected officials typically outperform statewide and legislative elected officials. At HighGround, we are extremely proud to support the efforts of local leaders and are…

Poll shows overwhelming support for immigration reform in Arizona’s most conservative district; McCain leads Nearest Rival by 16% in State’s Most Conservative Congressional District PHOENIX (August 18, 2016)—In a recent survey of high-efficacy Republican primary voters in Congressional District 5, more than 70% of voters support key tenets of an immigration reform proposal supported by…

62% of CD5 Republican Primary Voters Support Disclosure of Dark Money Donors PHOENIX (August 15, 2016)— A new survey of high-efficacy Republican primary voters in Congressional District 5 shows that after significant expenditures, including money from undisclosed donors filtered through the dark money organization “Club For Growth”, the race is now a toss-up with two…

Chuck Coughlin joined Rick DeGraw and Think Tank host Mike O’Neil to talk about the Democratic National Convention this weekend.  Take a listen for yourself.

In case you missed it, Chuck Coughlin was on “The Think Tank” on KTAR over the weekend.  He joined host Mike O’Neil and fellow guest Bob Grossfeld to discuss the Republican National Convention and Trump’s General Election strategy. You can listen here:

Chuck Coughlin joined a very special live Arizona Horizon following the wrap-up of the Republican National Convention to discuss Trump’s speech, GOP General Election strategy, and issues facing Republicans in the upcoming November election.  

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a national holiday to commemorate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the past week, we have all been witnesses to terrible tragedies and the loss of innocent human life. As we head into a weekend which will remember the loss of life in Dallas…

Earlier this week, the New York Times printed an editorial entitled “An Exodus in Our Own Backyard”, criticizing the Obama Administration over its domestic treatment of refugees fleeing violence in Central America. The piece stated, “President Obama has spoken of them with sympathy. But he and his Homeland Security secretary, Jeh Johnson have done far…

Yesterday’s New York Times piece lifted the national veil on Arizona’s dark secret: our state is ground zero for efforts to expand the use of Dark Money – undisclosed political contributions – to influence state and local races. This past session, Secretary of State Michele Reagan and her Elections Director Eric Spencer authored legislation, Senate…

As ballot returns started to come in last night, it became clear that Proposition 123 is headed to a photo finish.  In recent weeks, other surveys had claimed that the proposal was in a strong position with 59.7% support in one push button poll.  Another survey declared that Prop 123 was headed to a “big…

As early ballot voting is underway for Proposition 123, many school districts and education supporters are deep in the midst of considering potential overrides and bonds for later this year.  The deadline for referring items to the November 2016 General Election is fast approaching.  For some, November has been the plan all along, and for…

My Turn – Arizona Republic, Tuesday, April 26th As parents we often encourage our children to do better.  Typically, that is a hard message to deliver – we love our kids and we want to encourage them, but we cannot be overly enthusiastic or negative about mediocre work.  I can remember many times be it…

Today marks the first time in many years that Ryan Smith hasn’t called HighGround home.  After nearly eight years at our firm, Ryan began his new career today as the Government Relations Coordinator for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.  All of his colleagues here at HighGround cannot be more pleased for him and for the Airport Authority;…

SB1516 is nothing short of a pure deregulation of political committees in Arizona.  Under the false pretences of streamlining our system, this proposal abdicates nearly all responsibility for regulating political committees.  If you think dark money rules our current system now, buckle up because it’s about to get a whole lot darker.  Article 7, Section…

Reject SB 1516 – Reject Corruption Dear Members of the Arizona House of Representatives: As soon as this afternoon, you may be considering SB 1516. I urge you to reject it. In Sunday’s Arizona Republic (3/27/16), Representative Ken Clark offered his opinion on why this bill should be defeated.  For my part, I agree wholeheartedly…

Arizona has lost another icon, and I lost a good friend.  Yesterday afternoon, I received back-to-back calls from friends and colleagues from Tucson to inform me that Don Diamond had passed away. After 91 years on the planet, I was sad to hear that Don was no longer with us.  Don was a mentor and…

The Crucible of Public Service Steady, purposeful, compassionate, thoughtful, quiet, humble, kind, joyful, patient, dignified and… funny. It is understandable that this past week, a momentous announcement took Unfortunately, in today’s political environment, announcements like this are often followed by speculation that something else is afoot; that the elected is stepping down for some other…

The HighGround team had a big night at the 2016 Reed Awards and Conference in Charleston, South Carolina taking home five awards including Best Public Affairs Campaign and Best Newspaper Ad of 2015 for their work with the David and Gladys Wright House. The Reed Awards, named after Campaigns & Elections’ founder Stanley Foster Reed,…

Our nation has been built on the principles of liberty, equality and fairness. For 1.2 million Arizonans, this current system does not represent any of those principles. Independent voters face a 21st century poll tax put in place by electioneer cronies looking to keep these Independent voters disenfranchised. According to an article in this morning’s…

As the people of Iowa head to their caucus locations this evening to cast their vote for a Republican or Democratic candidate, it still isn’t clear even a few hours before caucusing begins which candidate will emerge victorious on the path to New Hampshire. What is crystal clear, however, is that Iowans and people across…

“Make It Happen” is our motto here at HighGround.  We are honored to have the best clients and look forward to working with them every day to impact positive change for our state and our community.  On occasion, we are also blessed to receive national recognition for our work. We are proud to announce that…

Our team at HighGround was proud to be a part of yesterday’s campaign launch for the Open and Honest Elections campaign efforts to reinvent the architecture of Arizona’s elections system. Please take a moment to read the coverage from the Arizona Republic. Additionally, Chuck Coughlin’s remarks from yesterday’s event can be read below: At 2:30…

PHOENIX—The Open and Honest Coalition, a diverse group of leaders from across Arizona, launched campaign efforts today to support two constitutional ballot initiatives that will transform the Arizona election system and bring transparency and fairness to every Arizonan participating in the voting process. Official ballot language for both initiatives was filed with the Arizona Secretary…

Today marks the 20th anniversary of HighGround Public Affairs. In honor of this occasion, we have redesigned our website – correct, we didn’t have one in 1996 (we didn’t have emails either) – my daughter was 2 and I still had a full head of hair, Fife Symington was Governor, Mark Killian was Speaker of…

Over the past year, it has been our honor to work with the David Wright House in Arcadia and its supporters throughout the community. Together, we have worked to preserve and restore the House, celebrate the last residential masterpiece designed by the great Frank Lloyd Wright, and inspire the next generation of artists and architects…

By: Robert Johnson and Paul Bentz From the Arizona Republic: Campaign consultants: Voters upended conventional wisdom in this week’s school bond and override elections. Voters in two Valley school districts taught us a lesson on Election Day this week, upending conventional wisdom about early ballots and reminding us again that every vote really does count.…

There is a very interesting article in the Washington Post regarding group dynamics and political perception.  It focuses on the “Majority Illusion” and how the global perception of an issue can be dictated by how the individual believes other people feel about it. Author Kevin Schaul summarizes, “…our flawed perception of some networks that relies…

“We believe the home is the embodiment of Arizona exceptionalism. It is part of what makes Phoenix a uniquely American experience.” – Former Phoenix Mayors Terry Goddard, Paul Johnson, Skip Rimsza, Phil Gordon Sometimes it’s hard to look past the daily struggles and disagreements of modern discourse to recognize when bigger things are at work.…

Since 1999, HighGround has been a presence on Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row and has been a part of its transformational development over the past decade and a half. Our President & CEO Chuck Coughlin moved the company to its historic house on 4th Avenue and Roosevelt and has since invested time, money and support to helping…

By: Drew Sexton I vividly remember my first weekend as a new student at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus in 2008, and not just because of the 110-degree temperatures during move-in day. As proud as I was to be a Sun Devil at the brand new CronkiteSchool, the urban environment I was exploring paled in…

There has been much discussion over the past month regarding Governor Doug Ducey’s plan to use State Land Trust money to increase funding for K-12 education. We’ve written about the Governor’s plan and believe it is a good first step to addressing our state’s lack of education funding. It is important to remember, however, that…

In reading a New York Times guest editorial earlier this week by Gar Alperovitz and Thomas Hanna, one could make a case that for the sake of our public institutions, K-12 schools, and higher education, both Governor Doug Ducey and State Treasurer Jeff DeWit are correct.  Our State Land Trust should be protected to serve…

Arizona’s Summers are Hot enough – We Don’t Need Overheated Rhetoric! The Bloviator-in-Chief, Donald Trump, is coming to town this weekend to bathe Arizonans in his overheated rhetoric which only speaks to about a third of the Republican Primary voting electorate. The media, however, is playing along with the Manhattan-based carnival act and even the…

It was announced earlier this week in the latest survey conducted on behalf of Stand for Children that voters now believe that Education has surpassed Immigration and Border Issues as the top issue facing the state. This marks the first time since the start of the great recession that Education has been at the top…

From Stand for Children Voters support leveraging state trust fund for education, want to fix lower performing schools through raising teacher pay and weighing family income in the community when funding education Phoenix, Arizona – After several years of other issues taking the spotlight in the state of Arizona, a recent statewide survey commissioned by Stand for Children…

Since our firm started back in 1996, the HighGround team has always taken pride in not only our work, but in the high-quality kind of people who work here. There is no better example of that than Kate Fassett. Over the past decade at HighGround, Kate has grown from our office manager into one of…

Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The measure of a man’s culture is the measure of his appreciation. We are ourselves what we appreciate and no more.” There have been times that I have said that politics can be a soul sucking endeavor.  Sometimes the act of public policy is difficult to appreciate – I have…

We were sad to learn that Dr. Margaret Kenski has passed away after a long battle with cancer. We send our condolences to Hank, their daughters, and their grandchildren. We join in mourning her loss with the many throughout Arizona who had the honor of knowing and working with her. HighGround’s Robert Johnson first met…

Here at HighGround, we have the pleasure to work with some of the best and brightest minds Arizona has to offer. One reason everyone at our firm loves what we get to do is the opportunity to mix creative strategy with creative expression. As many of you know, HighGround is currently working on the efforts…

Campaigns and Elections has a great article from JR Starrett laying out a very helpful campaign manager’s checklist for the first 90 days of the campaign. You can check out the article here. Starrett does a good job of setting out several of the key items that all campaigns should consider in their early stages.…

It was recently announced that “House of Cards” will come back for a fourth season. There is no doubt that it is a fun show to watch and there are certainly aspects of that program that are rather true to life. Like “The West Wing” and “The Ides of March,” these shows have archetypes that…

This time of year brings us gorgeous weather, cherry blossoms in Washington DC, and of course, the Arizona Capitol Times Best of the Capitol awards. The 2015 nominations are in and we’re asking you for your consideration. Click here to see the entire list of nominations. Please take the time to vote for HighGround and…

It was 150 years ago today that our country lost one of its finest Presidents. Abraham Lincoln saw this nation through some of its darkest moments. In Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin recognized Abraham Lincoln’s ability to understand his own emotional needs and connected it to Daniel Goleman’s definition of emotional intelligence saying, “‘Having…

By: J. Charles Coughlin In yesterday’s Arizona Capitol Times Yellow Sheet Report, I was quoted as saying that, if the State Senator from Mohave County chose to challenge our incumbent United States Senator John McCain, that her candidacy would “die in the darkness of her own soul.” These are tough words that need, in my…

HighGround was again well represented at the 2015 Pollies in New Orleans, winning three awards from the American Association of Political Consultants at their 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…

We’re proud to announce that HighGround’s own Paul Bentz was named a “40 Under 40” Award winner from the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). “I am very honored to receive this recognition from such a respected organization and be counted among such an accomplished group of professionals,” said Paul Bentz, Vice President, Accounts and…

Late last year I met my new neighbor, a quiet, well-spoken attorney who had just moved back to his hometown from Las Vegas.  My neighbor said he was born here, grew up in the neighborhood and that he always considered the Arcadia neighborhood his home. I asked him if he was practicing law and he…

For the past 100 years, the Salt River Project has provided reliable, community based affordable water and power as today’s Arizona Republic spot on editorial points out, they are also endeavoring to provide reliable community leadership on how to properly price customer based power generation, be that solar or other forms of renewable energy. As…

The Arizona Board of Regents is on the leading edge of improving the university system as an entrepreneurial enterprise implementing key reforms and focusing on performance. The results show this improvement: student performance is increasing, research investments have created jobs and over $1 billion in economic activity, and efforts are underway to reduce costly and…

The HighGround team won recognition in four categories at the 2015 Reed Awards last Friday in Las Vegas. The Reeds are national awards from Campaigns & Elections, the preeminent “how-to” journal of politics, focused on the tools, tactics and techniques of the political consulting profession. The HighGround team was recognized for its work in the…

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. August 28, 1963 Washington DC Excerpt from the speech given at the March on Washington…

With the beginning of the New Year comes the announcement of the finalists for the prestigious 2015 Reed Awards from Campaigns & Elections. HighGround, Inc. has been named as a finalist in 11 categories for its work on various successful campaigns including Yes on 480 hospital bond campaign, Clint Hickman for Maricopa County Supervisor, and…

By: Drew Sexton Over the past few weeks, as Arizona prepares to move forward under a new era of leadership from our state’s elected officials, pundits and politicians from both sides of the aisle have weighed in on what Governor Janice K. Brewer’s legacy is, will be and whether or not she was a good…

By: J. Charles Coughlin As we begin a new era in Arizona governance, there has been a lot written about the legacy of our outgoing Governor and my friend, Jan Brewer. As the Chairman of her transition team and after helping her and her son run her campaigns since she left the State Legislature in…

“For six years, Obama has been living rent free inside Republican brains.” Daily Caller’s Matt K. Lewis is absolutely on point in his latest article, “Time for Republicans to Go On Offense.” We have been saying for quite some time that Republicans have to tell the public what they are “for” instead of continually announcing…

As the immigration debate continues to heat up, the front page of Sunday’s Los Angeles Times tackled the subject with its article, “Immigration debate explodes despite voter desire for change.  Across the country and locally, voters want immigration reform. HighGround’s President Chuck Coughlin is quoted in the LA Times article: “Even here in Arizona, a…

As the final ballots are being counted, it appears that the total turnout for the 2014 General Election will be a little over 1.5 million votes. The turnout percentage of 47.1% is higher than our estimate from last week, but still lower than any other General Election with the exception of 1998. In fact, nearly…

Borrowing a page out of our favorite conservative columnist Bob Robb’s notebook, here are some quick takes following this Tuesday’s General Election. Turnout 2014 1,343,000(approx) 41.5%(approx) 2012 2,323,579 74.4%* 2010 1,750,882 55.7% 2008 2,320,851 77.7%* 2006 1,553,032 60.5% 2004 2,038,069 77.1%* 2002 1,255,615 56.3% 2000  1,559,520 71.8%* 1998 1,037,550 45.8% 1996 1,431,342 63.8%* 1994 1,153,742…

Some of us who live in the Central Phoenix area recently received a direct mail piece that even made our jaded political souls chuckle. With that in mind we decided to publish our very own truth watch…. While we have often been frustrated with the “Pollyannaish” nature of the Republic's truth watch, their mission of…

“Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.” — Theodore Roosevelt Time and again, the citizens of Arizona have proven that they want a government that actually works. From Proposition 100…

HighGround is very proud to be a part of the Roosevelt Row community and the amazing growth we’ve seen here over the past decade. From art galleries to new restaurants and boutiques, Roosevelt Row has become one of the most energetic art districts in the country and people from all over are taking notice. USA…

We have known Bryan Jeffries for several years and have been proud to work with him many local and statewide issues. He is a man of integrity and someone you can count on to listen, even when he doesn't agree. He has expressed these qualities in his work as a community member, leader of the…

Despite claims that the bid for the Republican nomination for Governor is a “two candidate race,” the fact is — the race hasn't really even started. The horses have barely left the gate and the Republicans appear to be waiting to see how they do down the stretch. The first few days of early ballot…

With the D-Backs swoon and football still weeks away, we are deep into summertime blues. The searing heat of a Phoenix summer has created quite a brain swelter. The only thing left to do with goings on of the State and its political news is to… laugh. The reaction may perhaps be considered dark, but…

By: Chuck Coughlin From the Arizona Republic If candidates did not put up yard signs, voter turnout would go down. Signs are an annoying, but helpful way of reminding us that it is time to vote. From a campaign perspective, signs are an inexpensive way to encourage participation and serve as a visual cue that reminds…

Latest survey shows “undecided” leading the pack with double digit lead & widespread angst within the electorate over the current immigration crisis PHOENIX,  (July 14, 2014) A statewide survey of high efficacy primary voters conducted July 10-12 shows that, despite heavy ad buys in the gubernatorial primary, Republicans in Arizona are still overwhelmingly undecided on…

As June temperatures soar and campaigns become more desperate for waning public attention, it appears that Republican CD 1 candidate Gary Kiehne continues to succeed where few have gone before. In the past month the wealthy oil rancher’s oratorical skills have proven to be as effective as the proverbial cow at drawing summertime flies.  From…

We’re always very proud of the extremely talented crew we have here at HighGround and it looks like some of that talent has been passed on to the next generation. Houston Johnson, the six-year old son of Summer and Robert Johnson, was recently awarded the national first place prize among 1st graders for a short…

The New York Times Editorial Board spent over 1,800 words this Sunday to analyze President Barack Obama’s foreign policy approach over the past five years, highlighting the situations in Syria, Ukraine and the Middle East. They were eager to come to his defense saying that Obama isn’t all that bad and trying to perpetuate the…

Time for the 2014 Best of the Capitol It's that time of year again — the nominations for the Arizona Capitol Times 2014 Best of the Capitol have been announced. Team HighGround has been nominated in several categories, including a very interesting head-to-head between sensei and grasshopper! Click here to see the entire list of nominations.…

Restoring Arizona, last year's effort to support the restoration of Medicaid in Arizona, has won the “2014 Campaign Excellence Public Affairs/Advocacy Campaign of the Year” award from the American Association of Political Consultants. The prestigious award was announced at the AAPC's Annual Pollie Awards Gala Dinner on April 4th. Restoring Arizona was a full public…

By: Paul Bentz From the Arizona Republic In 2012, more than 2.3 million Arizona voters turned out for the November general election. Months earlier, only 870,000 voted in the August primary. It’s a trend that holds up over several election cycles — significantly fewer voters participate in primary elections. Over 825,000 voters regularly participate in…

HighGround Inc. won two prestigious Reed Awards from Campaigns and Elections magazine at their 2014 awards celebration.  Click here to see all of the results. HighGround's two winning categories were: “Johnson Historic Home Yard Sign” in “Field — Best Collateral Item or Sign” category “Johnson Historic Home Sign” in the “Special Categories — Best Yard…

Dr. King was a drum major for justice, a giant whose life was a testament to the American ideal, that one man can make a difference. purchase microsoft office 2010 In a sermon on the eve of his assassination, he surely described his own mission when he asked, “Who is it that is supposed to…

HighGround has been nominated as a finalist for four Reed Awards from Campaigns and Elections magazine: “Restoring Arizona” in “Overall – Best Public Affairs Campaign of 2013” “Johnson Historic Home Yard Sign” in “Field – Best Collateral Item or Sign” category “Phoenix Post Newspaper” in “Field – Best Lit Piece” angioedema treatment “Johnson Historic Home Sign”…

After last week's weak immigration baiting editorial from the Arizona Republic, Former Attorney General Grant Woods does a significantly better job explaining the need for real immigration reform. Is this a return for the Republic to a better thought out dialogue, or do they perhaps need to turn the keys over to Mr. Woods and let…

The Arizona Republic editorial page — literally now only a single page — often serves as a platform for reasoned, well informed debate. That is until Linda Valdez writes about immigration reform and the very difficult, public process of enforcing and reforming our nation’s immigration laws. Friday’s (1/10) editorial “Immigrant Bashing Must Stop is the…

There is a great effort underway to bring a Changing Hands bookstore to the heart of Phoenix. Changing Hands is well known independent, community-grown brand that got its start in Tempe and they are now looking to open a second location. They have started a fundraising campaign to raise the funds they need – and they…

As many of you may know, for the last few years we have been honored to work together with a great group of professionals from Curis Resources on the Florence Copper Project. It has been a long struggle trying to bring jobs and economic development to Florence and Pinal County. The effort has covered the…

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens -Ecclesiastes 3:1 Here are HighGround, we spend our professional lives trying to make Arizona a better place.  In our personal lives, we place our time and our love into our families, our friends, our churches, and our communities.  We’re move…

As we said in our blog last week, “Real change comes from individuals, not institutions. Stop paying attention to brands, start paying attention to individual voices.” mac internet security software Republicans across the country would be wise to listen to the voice of conservative Republican Governors who have been able to successfully govern. Governor Brewer…

By:  J. Charles Coughlin “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” It has been a frustrating fall for me.  Most people who know me are aware that I am passionate about Michigan Football and getting things done in politics.  If at least one of those things is going well,…

As we have said before, Arizona is our home and we are committed to working on issues to leave things better than we found it.  We spend our time, our efforts, and our political capital to build a state that we can be proud of.  Just as we invest in public policy efforts such as…

By: Paul Bentz First, let me say, Justin Johnson was the hardest working candidate that I have ever worked with.  He was the first one up in the morning and the last one out at night.  He was willing to talk to anyone and meet with whoever wanted to meet with him.  His willingness and…

Many of us paid our respects yesterday when we attended the funeral services of our good friend former State Senate President John Greene.  We remember John as a sharply intelligent, enormously humble, forever patient, and supremely kind public servant. Former Governor Symington captured much of John’s spirit in his brief eulogy yesterday. Whether you knew…

As we have said before, empathy plays a critical role in politics.  Nelson Mandela understood that.  Mandela knew that politics is not mainly a cerebral sport. As Bill Keller explained in his Mandela write up, “[Politics] is a business of charm and flattery and symbolic gestures and eager listening and little favors.  It is above…

How Arizona and the Federal Government Could Keep the Grand Canyon Open online essay writer Humans have been in the Grand Canyon for at least 4,000 years.  Mother Nature can’t keep us out, but now our Federal Government has. In 1995, many of the current folks here at HighGround were then working for Governor Fife…

We are just a little over a year away from the next General Election with every statewide office up for grabs.  We have entered political equivalent of the Oscar nomination season where people are busy asking about who’s in and who’s out, who’s hot and who’s not.  Is the primary going to be brutal?  Will…

By: Paul Bentz I read the “7 things consultants hate about you” by Jake Williams from Campaigns and Elections and found myself nodding along with most of the things he said.  His complaints are common in candidate races and there is no doubt that they can be frustrating at times.  In fact, we attempt to…

Thirteen years ago, blackouts, and soaring electricity rates defined the political landscape of California.  Drought, delays in approval of new power plants, and market manipulation decreased supply. Wholesale prices skyrocketed by 800% in little over half a year in no small part due to the efforts of electricity profiteers at places like Enron. California’s disaster…

Voters also oppose efforts to punish those who supported Medicaid ARIZONA, Restoring Arizona released the results of a statewide survey conducted last week that shows overwhelming support for the Medicaid Restoration plan passed by the Arizona State Legislature and signed by Governor Brewer.  The statewide survey (attached) indicates that over 68% of the electorate support…

Every once and awhile you read an article which makes life’s hard learned lessons seem so clear that you just have to pass it along. So is the case with this story in the NY Times Sunday Magazine, concerning Jason Everman.  Just keep your feet moving and life is an incredible experience. Don’t ever give…

Bill Keller’s insightful New York Times column from last weekend on the vast gulf that separates our President from true world leaders like Nelson Mandela is worth the read. Those of us in Arizona familiar with President Obama’s tantrum on the tarmac of Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport can certainly answer Keller’s closing question: “What moral…

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the nineteen fire fighters who lost their lives in the tragedy at Yarnell yesterday.  Sometimes, it is easy to forget that there are real people who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.  Yesterday was a sad reminder.  May they always…

With all due respect to Bob Robb, we think he’s playing a little bit of Monday morning quarterback with his recollection of the Proposition 100 election. In his Friday column, he claims, “Virtually nothing voters were told about the tax prior to approving it turned out to be true… Voters were told that passage of…

In their June edition, Sunset Magazine had their annual Best of West piece.  We were pleased as can be to see that Roosevelt Row was named “Best Day Trip.”  We are proud to members of this organization and agree wholeheartedly with Sunset that “Downtown’s hippest neighborhood” is hitting it’s stride.

The election post mortems have been steadily streaming in since November 2012.  As we look to next year’s midterms, Republicans retain a significant amount of bitterness over the defeats digested in the last 12 months.  The Supreme Court decision on Obamacare, and the election defeat of Mitt Romney are not left in the past, instead,…

In case you missed it, conservative columnist Robert Robb wrote about the fiscal risks that face the State of Arizona if the legislature ignores its obligation to restore coverage to those at or below the Federal Poverty Level under Proposition 204. Robb writes, “Even if the federal government were willing to continue current funding for…

Majority of Ahwatukee, Laveen Voters Also Want Freeway Built In a sample of 400 likely voters, 64.3 percent favored building the new route on Pecos Road and through South Mountain Park as a way to relieve traffic congestion on the regional freeway system and reduce Valley air pollution. Only 19.6 percent either opposed or thought…

The nominations are out for the Arizona Capitol Times 2013 Best of the Capitol and we are asking for your help. Please take the time to vote for HighGround in a couple of categories: 12.  Best Lobbyist Male:  Doug Cole 19.  Best Power Broker:  Doug Cole 20.  Best Political Operative:  Chuck Coughlin Click here to…

Our President visited Mexico this past week and gave an optimistic, sunny speech in which he said, “I have come to Mexico because it is time to put old mindsets aside. It’s time to recognize new realities, including the impressive progress in today’s Mexico. For even as Mexicans continue to make courageous sacrifices for the…

By: Paul Bentz My church worships at a high school in the west valley.  It’s a great facility in an excellent location that allows our congregation to connect with the community.  For me, it’s also an opportunity to revisit high school culture and get an understanding of what’s “cool” these days.  Actually, since the kids…

Chuck Coughlin was recently on KJZZ’s Here and Now discussing why Medicaid expansion in Arizona makes sense economically and morally.  He also talked about Brewer’s governing style and why the world of politics often gets dirty. Click here to listen zp8497586rq

By: Paul Bentz A recent study by GROW Elect and Moore Information shared some very interesting insights into registered Latino voters in ten California congressional districts expected to be competitive in the 2014 mid-term elections. Take a look at their findings (pdf). It was interesting that immigration was only a piece of the puzzle. While…

“With public sentiment nothing can fail, without it nothing can succeed.  Consequently he who molds public sentiment, goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions” – Abraham Lincoln In Arizona, the swing demographics, those voters likely to move in a general election, are well defined:  Republican women and Independent voters.  When Republicans are…

There have been an abundant number of columns and guest editorials over the past several weeks praising the efforts of the bipartisan group of United States Senators to achieve some type of immigration reform compromise in Washington.  While there has been plenty of ink devoted to why America needs to change its immigration laws, there…

There still seems to be some questions out there about Governor Brewer’s Medicaid plan and the options she had.  Take a look at the options for yourself: In the end, the Governor had three options, but only one choice.  She opted to respect the will of the voters, prevent nearly 60,000 people from losing their…

Congratulations to Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care (MMIC) for being selected by the State of Arizona as the Regional Behavioral Health Authority for Maricopa County.  This program is considered to be one of the largest health contracts in the country and was previously administered by Magellan Health Services, a for profit Connecticut based company. MMIC is…

Join Roosevelt Row on March 28th for their Equinox Party. VIP ticket to the event includes a VIP ticket for Feast on the Street!  Click here to get tickets. Each year, Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation hosts a single fundraiser to support critical programs like the Adaptive Re-use of Temporary Space (A.R.T.S.) community garden and…

When it comes to Medicaid, Republicans need to find something to be. This past election cycle, Republicans across the country took a major hit at the ballot box.  One of the main reasons is because they are quite skilled at saying what they are “against” but are often challenged in articulating what they are “for.” …

Today is Valentine’s Day, but more importantly it is the celebration of statehood for our wonderful state. Happy 101st birthday to the beautiful and independent State of Arizona! May the prosperity of our past drive the progress of our future.

We’re proud to kick off the New Year with some great recognition from Campaigns and Elections magazine. First, our very own Chuck Coughlin was named as one of the ten Arizona Influencers on the Campaigns and Elections Influencers 500 list.  They wrote, “He has a reputation as one of the best political operatives in the…

Happy New Year to you and your family! We hope the upcoming year will be full of new beginnings and opportunities for all.  We look forward to continuing our efforts to impact public policy that make Arizona a great place to live.  If there is any way we can help you, just give us a…

Political Behavior Not Respectful of American History. Warren Buffett was quoted in Andrew Ross Sorkin’s New York Times Dealbook column today as saying  “If somebody bought Berkshire Hathaway in 1965 and they held it, they made a great investment, and their broker would have starved to death,” As Sorkin points out,  “Buffett was lamenting the…

By:  Kate Fassett I was filled with disappointment as I read these comments, as just days earlier my news feeds were filled with positive messages thanking and honoring our veterans and active service members and just a week earlier encouraging people to get to the polls and vote.  The question I want pose is this:…

“A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing, always be closing.”, Blake, Glengarry Glen Ross In his famous (and colorful) speech in Glengarry Glen Ross, Alec Baldwin’s character Blake extols the necessary virtue of closing a sale.  The same can be said about a good campaign.  Good campaigns strive for something that is going to make…

A play on an old saying: “Those who can, govern.  Those who can’t, join a think tank.” Not too long ago, the State of Arizona was facing a financial cliff like no other state in the nation. After years of overspending and living beyond her means, Governor Napolitano skipped town and never looked back. Saddled…

Wall Street Journal:  GOP Mobilizes Forces as Arizona Senate Race Tightens Outside political trackers have declared the race a tossup. “All of a sudden, this is a real race,” said Chuck Coughlin, who heads a Phoenix-based Republican political consulting firm…Mr. Flake will have to overcome Dr. Carmona’s “fairly compelling narrative,” as well as his appeal…

By: Ryan Smith Tonight’s first debate between President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney kicks off the final stretch of this long Presidential Cycle.  Much of the campaign has gone as predicted but there are some things you can predict, and some you just have to wait to play out.  The “Obama Voter” is likely one…

As we said last week, now is the time when gaps typically close in the election cycle. Recent surveys may have had a variety of results, but they have all shown this trend.  In the race for President and United States Senate in Arizona, we believe that the gaps have closed significantly.  Just two weeks…

For many years, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have been a consistent voice for fiscal responsibility and a source of strong leadership. They righted the County’s fiscal ship, cutting the budget, maintaining low taxes, eliminating debt, and finding ways to do more with less. Supervisors Max Wilson and Andy Kunasek have been at the…

By: Paul Bentz There is still a lot of the game to be played, but Carmona certainly has a much better shot of winning in Arizona than Obama.  Both surveys are probably right in their trends of how the electorate is moving, typically this the time of the year where the gaps close. However, both…

The Wall Street Journal has posted some remarks of “What Romney Might Have Said” following the “secret video” release.  We’ll take it a step further and say that this is exactly what Romney SHOULD have said on Monday night when he hastily called a news conference to address the video. Our question is why didn’t…

“The next President has to do three big things, which are in conflict with one another, increase growth, reduce debt and increase social equity. The Democrats offer no actual plan, but Obama at least offers a vague whiff that he would be capable of advancing these cross cutting challenges. Romney offers one sided change that…

There are dozens of really great people who chose to take precious time from their families and run for public office this year.  There were some who were victorious and some who were not.  We here at HighGround are grateful to all of those who made the sacrifice to share their values and ideas on…

In the post primary election news cycles, members of the HighGround team have been asked to weigh in on the results and strategy.  Here are a couple of recent examples of HighGround in the news: Quayle’s decision to change districts ends badly For Quayle, there’s always next time if he decides to continue in politics.…

In case you missed it, there is a very important op-ed in today’s Arizona Republic from Doug Pruitt, former chairman and CEO of Sundt Construction, regarding the latest efforts by the anti-transit crowd to game the system and thwart the will of the voters.  You can read it here. We had the pleasure of working…

As the Republican National Convention draws to a close, we have seen the Republican Party finally fine tune their message on the economy and the ramifications of the upcoming General Election. Many were captivating, but as David Brooks explains in his latest column, most of the talk was focused exclusively on individual accomplishments. Brooks writes:…

Though out his time in office, Supervisor Andy Kunasek has been a strong voice for fiscal responsibility and standing up for what is right.  Along with Supervisor Max Wilson, they have been the steady hands guiding Maricopa County through some tumultuous times, always with an eye on protecting the taxpayer.  They have been able to…

David Brooks is a favorite around here for his ability to apply real observations about human behavior to politics and inspiring us to do better. In today’s article, “The Creative Monopoly,” Brooks discusses the trap of competitiveness standing in the way of real leadership and innovation. where can i buy an essay online Brooks writes,…

New York Times profiled Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, a bright GOP light, a leader focused on solving problems.  Just as “Imported from Detroit” has helped lead the auto industry back, Governor Snyder’s focus on solutions over partisanship has lead Michigan’s recovery.  Click here to read the article. Though he receives criticism from both the right…

This year marks the 16th year of operation of HighGround, Inc.  Beyond that, many of our team members have been in the Arizona public policy arena for more than 20 years.  We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish working together with elected officials as well as business and community leaders. We…

Get your appetite ready and mark your calendars for Phoenix’s first ever Chile Pepper Festival hosted by Roosevelt Row. On September 29, 2012, Roosevelt Row CDC will kickoff the first-annual Roosevelt Row Chile Pepper Festival. The Festival will highlight Phoenix food culture with the Southwest’s favorite vegetable, the chile pepper, and will showcase some of…

A new poll from Moore Information has Congressman Paul Gosar leading Senator Ron Gould by a 31-21% margin. Bob Moore, who has a history of calling them right in Arizona, does a good job of taking a scientific, balanced approach to his research.  Here’s what he finds: “By a two-to-one margin, voters are positive about…

A comprehensive article on the debacle known as Fast & Furious tells us one thing quite clearly and leaves us asking two final questions: What we know quite clearly: The ATF is in a bureaucratic Catch 22 hobbled on one side by weak laws governing gun sales/transfers and the other by the NRA and Second…

Governor Jeb Bush has an excellent article in the National Review that we full heartedly agree with.  For the long term health of the Republican Party, we need to be solutions driven and push forward with the discussion of policies that are focused more about real results over ideology.  We should indeed be the party…

New York Times writer Frank Bruni wrote column today titled “Don’t Look Down” discussing the brinksmanship nature of our current political environment.  He posits that we have grown accustomed to living near the edge and making changes only when truly forced. Bruni explains, “As cliff dwellers we deal with nothing until the last possible minute…

At Highground, we have had the opportunity to work with some special people who have played integral roles in Arizona’s rich history.  We have always looked to help candidates who have a clear reason for running for office, and a vision for how they can see that through.  We are honored to have the opportunity…

Whether you are a fan of Grover Norquist and his libertarian gospel of anti-taxation or a believer in the Rev. Al Sharpton’s rhetoric of government oppression, one thing is clear to me, their ideologies contribute significantly to our political culture’s  inability to resolve the endemic public policy challenges of our time. From entitlement reform and…

In case you missed it, the Arizona Republic had an extensive update on the Light Rail system yesterday and the plans for the future extensions in Phoenix and in Mesa.  Mesa is moving forward with the ground breaking on their extension and Phoenix is expected to vote on theirs next month.  Though the lines and…

Public officials are, by their very definition, “ public figures “ exposed to media review and voter scrutiny.  We have seen that here in Arizona recently with a series of investigations, indictments, and various personal issues splashed across the headlines. As we have said before, these are the exceptions, not the rule in Arizona politics. …

By: Paul Bentz With that, there is the temptation to fall into a “tit for tat” mentality where candidates are focused on their opponents.  Candidates should take a page out of last week’s episode of Mad Men.  After getting his ad dropped in favor of Don’s concept, Michael Ginsberg said to Don Draper, “I feel…

A sight never seen before in Arizona! It is one of the finest traditions in all of professional sports. At the conclusion of an NHL playoff series, both teams line up and shake hands at the end.  Perhaps all of us could take something from this.  There is nobility in fierce competition be it on…

Craig Harris’ tome from this morning reminds me of the scene from A River Runs Through It, where the Presbyterian Minister played by Tom Skerritt is editing his young son’s writing. The erstwhile son continues to bring piece after piece to his erudite and taciturn Scottish father, and the father says time after time, “again,…

We are proud of the work we do for our clients and are honored when we receive recognition for our efforts. Recently, HighGround was ranked #5 in lobbyists in the Phoenix Business Journal book of lists. In addition HighGround won again at the Pollie awards“ taking home a silver award and an honorable mention for…

Robert D. Kaplan wrote an interesting piece today about something we’ve been talking about for a few years now.  The media focus the past year has been squarely on the events unfolding throughout the Middle East.  While this is undoubtedly important, when compared to the effects a failed Mexican state would have on our country,…

By: J. Charles Coughlin I read Bob Robb’s column last week, “Don’t worry, China has big problems, and ran into the fourth paragraph which says: “According to the report (World Bank), what China has to do to move to the next stage is breathtakingly broad and sweeping: develop more robust consumer and service markets; reduce…

There are a lot of good people in government affairs who often get overlooked because the focus is rarely on what is right and good and often on what is wrong and broken.  Well, we at HighGround are proud to call Molly Greene our friend (and client), and want to share with everyone some of…

1) Don’t react to a story in the New Times.  No one reads the rag and its credibility has been below the curb level for years.  If there is some truth in a New Times piece, take your time to consider how or if it needs further clarification.  Generally news stories in New Times get…

David Brooks hits the nail on the head yet again with his latest piece, “The Crowd Pleaser” regarding the Romney campaign and their need to add conviction and definition to the candidate. Brooks writes, “He needs to step outside the cautious incrementalism that is the inevitable product of excessive polling and focus-group testing. He needs…

Campaigns & Elections magazine held their 4th annual Reed Awards dinner last Friday night to recognize some of the year’s best political and public affairs work.  See the complete list of winners. HighGround earned top honors for “Toughest Mail Piece” for the direct mail newspaper developed for the Wolcott for Mayor campaign.  Wolcott successfully ran…

By: J. Charles Coughlin The closing remarks of the President’s State of the Union address the other night were moving. He spoke of the teamwork necessary to accomplish incredibly difficult and complex missions. He spoke of members of a team having each other’s backs. He said that the way in which those members of our…

David Brooks wrote an excellent article today titled “The C.E.O. in Politics” about the qualities of an executive President.  Without regard to the outcome of the Presidential Primary elections, the characteristics that Brooks describe really apply to any position of executive leadership from President to Governor to Mayor.  The qualities include: Emotional security Superb political…

Today, Campaigns & Elections announced the finalists of the fourth annual Reed Awards. The finalists represent the top talent in the political consulting business in the fields of Direct Mail, Online Advertising, Newspaper Advertising, Phones, Political Technology, Signage and Collateral Material, Radio and Television. skin whitening forever HighGround, Inc is a finalist in the Toughest…

John 1: 9-14 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet…

Mike Sunnucks with the Phoenix Business Journal had a great article on the leadership of Mesa Mayor Scott Smith in keeping the Cubs in Arizona. We are grateful to have worked with Mayor Smith and appreciate the leadership he brings to Mesa and Arizona. The past few years have been problematic for a number of…

By: Paul Bentz As I mentioned earlier this week, the end of 2011 marks the completion of my tenth year at HighGround.  I thought it would be fun to share ten things that I have learned during my time.  This is part two. 6. Momentum is real. I don’t really know how else to say…

By: Paul Bentz The end of 2011 marks the completion of my tenth year at HighGround.  Starting out in 2002, I was just a young lad looking for guidance along the way and hoping to make a difference.  Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing – I’m sure there are a few people…

We are proud to announce the launch of our HighGround YouTube channel.  Click here to check it out.  We will be sharing some of our present and past work including bringing back some old favorites. Earlier last month, Chuck talked about honoring Mayor Phil Gordon for all of his hard work.  One of the topics…

Cactus League stories sought By:  Robert Johnson It may be December but spring-training tickets for games next March go on sale just in time for your favorite baseball fan this Christmas. And while I always enjoy watching a game in the warm spring sun, what I really want this year is information about the people,…

David Brooks is writing an amazing series right now called “The Life Reports.”  He has asked his readers over the age of 70 to give their perspective on evaluating their own lives.  In part one, he covered some very interesting personal stories.  In part two from earlier this week, he did some analysis and broke…

By: J. Charles Coughlin After taking a week off to watch my resurgent Michigan Wolverines beat the Cornhuskers and the Buckeyes, I returned to read yesterday’s Sunday edition of the Arizona Republic. Since the last election cycle closed with lopsided Republican victories, I have watched and read as the Republic’s coverage of Arizona politics has…

By: J. Charles Coughlin When will Arizona learn how to honor its leaders?  When will we not, in a gathering of community leaders, focus on what is wrong with Arizona, but on what is right? We all certainly have our differences, but as our mothers taught us: “if you don’t have anything nice to say…”…

As Democrats continue to overstate the meaning behind the successful recall of Senator Russell Pearce and the mouth breathing continues over the ouster of IRC Chairman Mathis, NY Times Columnist David Brooks sheds some badly needed light on our own internal blind spots.  His column, as usual, is a great read with terrific insights: internet…

A common motto of the world scouting movement is “to leave this world a little better than you found it.”  Robert Brinton, President and CEO of the Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau passed from us this past Friday, October 21. Robert left Arizona a better place for us all and we are all better to…

Following up on our post earlier this week on addressing the underlying frustration of the occupy movement, we see a worthy start on Wall Street reform from Presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal.  It is a much improved approach over the dismissive “jealous” comment from Herman Cain. Huntsman poses some interesting ideas…

In just 3 short years, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith has shown that, with vision and passion, you can actually change the way a city does business. Mayor Smith has been an integral part in some of the most significant economic development opportunities for our region.  Under Smith’s leadership, the Chicago Cubs will continue to train…

The Arizona Attorney Magazine web blog has an excellent recap of the “Diversity Considerations in Judicial Merit Selection” panel that HighGround Sr. Vice President Doug Cole served on at the State Bar yesterday. Here is an excerpt: Doug Cole echoed the position that commissioners are charged with looking at the whole applicant, not just a…

By: Paul Bentz Backed by union interests, celebrities, and others, the “Occupy Wall Street” movement is starting to spread across the United States and into other countries.  Like the tea party movement started three years ago, the occupy effort is the embodiment of the dissatisfaction among a group of people – the root of which…

Arizona is in the fight of its life and I’m not talking about baseball.  The state is in a desperate fight to stay economically competitive.  Frustration with the banks and Wall Street are growing daily and we are still faced with a “do nothing attitude” regarding the border. it gcse coursework As Game 5 of…

From the Arizona Republic: Phoenix could be losing its grip on spring-training baseball even as the Cactus League looks to attract more teams to the Valley from Florida. The city has been working hard to try to keep the Milwaukee Brewers in Maryvale and the Oakland Athletics at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, but both teams are…

Governor Brewer is supporting a project that would capitalize on one of Arizona’s rich resources: copper. The Florence Copper Project will bring hundreds of good paying jobs to Florence and millions of dollars to the state’s economy. samples viagra cialis Governor Brewer is also endorsing Peggy Neely for Mayor of Phoenix. Peggy has a track…

There is some serious revisionist history being passed off as fact about Governor Brewer and her political fortunes. It is time to bust the myth. The truth is that Brewer’s leadership is what sent her to victory. It was her leadership that helped Prop 100 pass with over 64% of the vote.  It was her…

Arizona political donations came mostly from individuals, data say fat loss program for men From the Arizona Republic: The popular perception that corporate giants and powerful lobbyists wield all the monetary influence in politics doesn’t necessarily ring true in Arizona. Here, the largest source of funding for candidates’ election campaigns comes from the average grass-roots…

The New York Times has a follow up on the three states opting out of Secure Communities that we talked about on Tuesday.  Professor Schuck makes some solid points about the seamless nature of this data-sharing and how it can be useful in identifying and deporting dangerous offenders. He gets a little off the rails…

From the New York Times, we see yet another sign that the Obama administration is not serious about enforcing our immigration laws.  Under the threat of certain states opting out, they are making changes to the Secure Communities data sharing program which requires people who are arrested to put their fingerprints into a national data…

By:  J. Charles Coughlin how to get a girlfriend Arizona Republic columnist Ed Montini’s Sunday column got me thinking.  Like a parent who only bemoans the challenges his child faces, Montini focuses on the negatives attached to our state, instead of celebrating our accomplishments.  Arizona is not a “juvenile delinquent” our state is simply the…

Nathan Cole will serve as the Tempe JROTC battalion commander next year. The Highground family is so proud! Desert Vista student will lead district’s JROTC cadets by Cathryn Creno – Jun. 6, 2011 10:09 AM The Arizona Republic Desert Vista High School senior Nathan Cole has dreamed of being in the military since he was…

Finally, someone is looking into the banking industry and their role in the collapse of the American economy.  The Attorney General of New York is conducting an investigation into mortgage operations during the housing bubble.  The New York Times asks some serious questions that must be addressed during the investigation, such as: how to get…

Our motto here at HighGround is “Make It Happen.”  We do the hard work.  We make the tough choices.  We stand up for what we believe.  We tend to support people who feel the same way. That is why we stand behind people like Governor Jan Brewer, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Former U.S. Transportation Secretary…

Today, Former Congressman Matt Salmon announced his bid to return to the United States Congress.  A man of his word, he served from 1994 to 2000 when he honored his term limit pledge by opting not to seek re-election.  Salmon is a strong fiscal conservative and has always been a strong voice for the East…

There is a great irony in the Arizona Republic today.  On the same day they look for hope in political civility, the papers also fill its front page with partisan rhetoric from recent California transplant Andrei Cherny. This week, Cherny, who appears to be taking time off from writing books about President Obama, offered up…

Since our firm was founded in 1996, our team at HighGround prides itself on being strong advocates for our clients.  We take on the tough issues. We’re proud of our record of accomplishment. We take enormous pride in representing our clients with the integrity great institutions demand. professional essay writing service Our representation of an…

My Turn – Arizona Republic, March 30th By Robert Johnson The first time I attended a spring-training game in Arizona I had no idea how important the Cactus League was to the Tucson economy, let alone the state. It was 1984, I was 19 years old and the Cleveland Indians were on the field. It…

Michael Grossman wrote an interesting piece today. Michael is a political consultant and writer who resides in Arizona.   T-Ball Every spring, millions of children run out to the ball field for the first time with a bat and a glove, dreaming of hitting their first home run. That they have neither the hand-eye coordination…

HighGround had another successful year at the American Association of Political Consultants Pollie Awards Conference. write my college essay for me HighGround took awards in the following areas this year: Web Video-Best Use of Humor Bronze Award for Governor Jan Brewer-Arizona Sing-a-Long Website Local Bronze for Keep the Cubs in Mesa Yes on 420 (together…

In today’s Wall Street Journal , Stephen Hayes exposes the disconnect between President Obama’s call for civil discourse in Tucson and the hateful rhetoric being used as part of the union battle in Wisconsin.  Hayes maintains that the President should hold his union allies in Wisconsin to the same standards. After the shooting in Tucson,…

by: J. Charles Coughlin I moved to Arizona in 1985 after growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ann Arbor is like the Shangri-La of Michigan, an island oasis of students and academics in a state that is decidedly blue collar and hard. During the Super Bowl, Chrysler played an ad that reminded me of the…

Campaigns & Elections magazine hosted the 3rd annual Reed Awards to recognize some of the top political and public affairs talent in the world. HighGround took home top honors for “Best Use of Email/Viral Marketing” for the Arizona Sing-A-Long which was developed for the Governor Jan Brewer 2010 campaign.  The video has racked up over…

While we don’t put a lot of stock in early polls, and there is a long way to go, a survey release today is another sign that Neely’s exploratory committee is looking more and more like the real deal. The survey released by the Motola Group, and reported by the Phoenix New Times, shows Neely…

Governor Jan Brewer has won her bid for a second term with a decisive 55% to 41% victory over Attorney General Terry Goddard.  In Mesa, it was “Cubs win! Cubs win!” as the Yes on 420 – Keep the Cubs campaign cruised to a 63% to 36% win. write essay The HighGround team had the…

As we are all aware, Arizona’s boycott is being driven largely by the Service Employees International Union.  They disagree with Arizona’s immigration law and have been outspoken proponents of “comprehensive immigration reform.”  You may also recall that President Obama once told the SEIU that “Your agenda is my agenda.”  See the video for yourself. Now,…

New York Times writer Matt Bai nails Obama’s confusion on economic policy.  The President’s confusion is a stark contrast to Brewer’s approach. The Governor has successfully cut spending to stabilize the budget.  Next up: are tax reform and jobs agenda. Predictability and stability are the strengths to Brewer’s approach and will create long-term prosperity. cause…

Republican Governors like Mitch Daniels of Indiana will lead the charge to bring United States back from the abyss created by Obama’s overspending.  After spending billions and getting us nowhere, Obama and Democrats now want to double down throwing in even more taxpayer money.  Big government and Obamacare are now holding back job creation.  See…

We think it’s time that CBS 5 retire its goofy, focus-group driven moniker of “Telling It Like It Is.” No matter how many times the very capable anchor team of Sean McLaughlin and Catherine Anaya say it, it’s just not believable anymore. What has happened to this pioneer, venerable Arizona station that brought Arizonans the…

Chuck Coughlin is a man defined by the battles he’s fought. In his quarter century in Arizona, Coughlin has either worked for or butted heads with nearly every big name in the state’s pantheon of political heavyweights. His reputation preceeds him at the Capitol, but even the fierce political infighter was once a novice. The…

Op-Ed by Chuck Coughlin — Arizona Republic 07-07-2010 Calls for comprehensive immigration reform will not be answered until the American people are convinced that we are in control of our borders. Upward of 70 percent of our nation’s voters believe that our country is on the wrong track and that Washington, D.C., cannot be trusted.…

Governor Brewer’s campaign gathers over 5,900 $5 Contributions in less than 3 months PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today filed all the necessary petitions and forms to became an official candidate for Governor of Arizona.  Her campaign submitted over 5,900 $5 contributions and more than 8,000 petition signatures to qualify for the 2010 ballot.  Governor…

Do Republicans really need a greater wake up call than what former Governor and current Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Current Attorney General and Gubernatorial hopeful Terry Goddard gave us this past week? Our former Governor Janet Napolitano spent the state to the near brink of fiscal insolvency before skipping town and taking…

Apparently, some campaigns are in need of a federal set aside program for substantive political rhetoric.  The latest missive from the floundering gaggle of wannabes and couldabeens fails to recognize the fact that the current governor has a wide range of supporters who agree with her on some issues and disagree with her on others. …

FROM CQ WEEKLY VANTAGE POINT Oct. 26, 2009 – Page 2431 Is Technology a Way Through the Traffic? By Colby Itkowitz, CQ Staff When she was secretary of Transportation, for the final 27 months of the Bush administration, Mary E. Peters angered Congress by using some discretionary highway money at her disposal for a program…

It shouldn’t be a surprise today that politicos will attempt to assign blame to Kevin Tyne, but the reality is that Kevin was an equal to any Chief of Staff who has served any previous Arizona Governor. The Governor has never blinked from the challenge. Her very difficult choice to elevate Eileen Klein is yet…

As we start into the season where candidates will be announcing their intentions for the 2010 elections, we wanted to take this opportunity to mention our list of questions that you should answer  in our “So You want to be a Candidate” section.  Before you decide to run, you should have clear and concise answers…

by:  J. Charles Coughlin In the worst economy in recent history, the Goldwater Institute is looking for ways to ensure that cities and towns will be even more strapped for cash.  Their latest salvo, from Nick Dranias, attacks development incentives and touts reforms to end one of local government’s most successful economic tools. At the…

By: Paul Bentz Social marketing is all the rage right now, and rightly so, because it gives customers an opportunity to talk about themselves and share what they are really thinking.  The same rules apply to political social marketing as well – people want to talk about why they are supporting a particular issue or…

We are proud to announce the launch of the new HighGround website.  In addition to learning about our company, the new AzHighGround.com will feature blog posts from members of the HighGround team on public policy issues, best practices, and other interesting news of the day. We’ll also be launching our HighGround twitter to keep people…

Op-Ed by Chuck Coughlin – Arizona Republic 08-27-09 “Throw the bums out” seems to be a common sentiment these days regarding our state Legislature. While the emotion underlying the sentiment may be justifiable, the facts point to a different conclusion; there is a need for systemic changes. First of all, because of the Federal Voting…

Team wins first land use referendum in Paradise Valley history and passes first property tax in Mesa in over 60 years PHOENIX – Local public affairs consultants, HighGround, Inc. racked up nearly a dozen wins in last night’s historic election. The victories were tallied across the Valley ranging from Buckeye to Mesa. In Paradise Valley,…