In 2022, Democrats were surprised to see Republicans being elected in a largely blue legislative district in southern Arizona. Now, Democrats are adopting a new strategy to get that seat.

In 2022, Republican political rookie Michel Peña won elections to the House of Representatives 23, which includes parts of Yuma County, Goodyear and West Pinal County.

Democrat Mariana Sandoval (D-Goodyear) in 2022 stated that statistics showed the area was democratic, so the party made the mistake of reaching elsewhere and investing resources. He says that. But Yuma County doesn’t vote like the rest of Arizona. However, according to Sandoval.

“It’s not like Maricopa County or Pima County. If you’re a DEM, you’ll just automatically vote for a blue vote,” Sandoval said. “That doesn’t happen in Yuma County. Yuma County splits the vote and if they’re Democrats they can vote for me as Democrats and then vote for Republicans.”

Sandoval says this year she can see the difference in the way Democrats are investing in her district.

Before joining the state legislature in 2022, she spent 12 years protecting water, air and wildlife at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. She also worked for the Agua Fria Union High School Board.

Sandoval says her top priorities are education, water safety and the economy, as rural counties require good, high-paying jobs.

“A lot of guys come here, live on Monday through Friday jobs and go home on weekends. So, there are not many high paying or employment opportunities in Yuma County, so men are out here. Many women out there are used to raising their own children because they have to work,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval runs alongside his fellow Democrat Matias Rosales. He has served for 12 years as a councillor and vice mayor of the city of San Luis, and has worked as a real estate agent. He is the candidate to play against Pena this year.

Rosales says it’s important for someone in Yuma County to represent the Capitol area.

“We are an important county for Arizona. We produce 90% to 95% of the green leaves in the US during the winter, and produce our water resources and industries, which is a big economy for the nation. It means it’s a trait,” Rosales said.

Rosales says his district is very huge. He knows to represent all political stripes. Coming from an independent office, he says he can and will work across the aisle.

Rosales says his priorities lie in infrastructure needs such as affordable housing and education.

“I’m 13 in Grade 8, 15 in Grade 10, and 2 are already graduating from high school and have passed through the Gadsden Elementary School district. And I’m hoping to see that different communities provide education. I know the difference, and that’s something I’m paying attention to,” Rosales said.

Pena did not respond to requests for comment.

She has sponsored only 10 bills so far, and is best known for pushing bills to extend the shelf life of her eggs.

In the state Senate, incumbent Democrat Sen. Brian Fernandez (D-yuma) is facing Republican rookie Michel Altere.

Neither Senate candidate responded to requests for comment.

Altherr worked on a Republican-led Maricopa County vote audit in 2020 after former President Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden, and was the representative of this year’s Republican National Convention.

She states on her campaign site She served in the Air Force for 15 years and first became active in politics, working with “Latinos for Trump.”

Michel Altere, Arizona House

Before joining Parliament, Fernandez worked on several political campaigns.

Fernandez replaced his mother, Charlene Fernandez, who was appointed to the House of Representatives in 2021 and was appointed to the Biden administration. He then succeeded in the Senate in 2022.

Fernandez is known for his willingness to communicate with Republicans across the aisle. He advocates for more cooperation from his colleagues and for Republican leaders to hear more democratic bills. He expanded it PBS Interview Early this year:

“I believe that 7% or 8% of the bills we proposed went to the committee,” Fernandez said.

The majority of rural areas are one of the few legislative districts considered to have a competitive race in general elections.