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| Arizona's 'one-pizza' Democrats taste success as GOP shares slice of the pie | Arizona's 'one-pizza' Democrats taste success as GOP shares slice of the pie |
| (8 days later) | |
| Arizona Democrats are the "one-pizza caucus" no more. Their numbers in the state legislature – paltry enough to share a single pizza, went the joke – have surged and ended the Republican super-majority. | Arizona Democrats are the "one-pizza caucus" no more. Their numbers in the state legislature – paltry enough to share a single pizza, went the joke – have surged and ended the Republican super-majority. |
| Democrats were on track to win four seats in the state senate and at least four in the house of representatives in the wake of Tuesday's election, eroding GOP control over one of the south's most conservative states. | Democrats were on track to win four seats in the state senate and at least four in the house of representatives in the wake of Tuesday's election, eroding GOP control over one of the south's most conservative states. |
| Democrats hailed it as a "correction" to GOP overreach. "It's a beginning we can build upon," said one blogger. | Democrats hailed it as a "correction" to GOP overreach. "It's a beginning we can build upon," said one blogger. |
| The Republican advantage in the senate shrank to 17-13, giving Democrats some muscle in looming fights over Medicaid expansion and the state's much-criticised immigration laws. | The Republican advantage in the senate shrank to 17-13, giving Democrats some muscle in looming fights over Medicaid expansion and the state's much-criticised immigration laws. |
| However, in a tight vote, the surviving Republican senators on Wednesday promptly dumped their president, Steve Pierce, whom some had blamed for the senate's failure to pass additional bills against illegal immigration. | However, in a tight vote, the surviving Republican senators on Wednesday promptly dumped their president, Steve Pierce, whom some had blamed for the senate's failure to pass additional bills against illegal immigration. |
| They replaced him with the harder-line Andy Biggs, reflecting an ideological split between moderates and conservatives. Moderates gained some leverage with the election of John McComish as majority leader and Adam Driggs as majority whip. | They replaced him with the harder-line Andy Biggs, reflecting an ideological split between moderates and conservatives. Moderates gained some leverage with the election of John McComish as majority leader and Adam Driggs as majority whip. |
| "Biggs' win suggests that the ideologues will run amok at the Capitol next year. However, the wins of McComish and Driggs suggest that some see the value in a more balanced crop of leaders, so there is hope yet," wrote Laurie Roberts, an Arizona Republic columnist. | "Biggs' win suggests that the ideologues will run amok at the Capitol next year. However, the wins of McComish and Driggs suggest that some see the value in a more balanced crop of leaders, so there is hope yet," wrote Laurie Roberts, an Arizona Republic columnist. |
| She doubted pragmatic Republicans would be able to restrain their more radical colleagues. "Why … do I feel like de-kookification just took a major hit?" | She doubted pragmatic Republicans would be able to restrain their more radical colleagues. "Why … do I feel like de-kookification just took a major hit?" |
| Andy Tobin rebuffed a challenge from a more conservative Republican rival to keep his job as speaker of the house of representatives. | Andy Tobin rebuffed a challenge from a more conservative Republican rival to keep his job as speaker of the house of representatives. |
| Jan Brewer, the GOP governor who came to national prominence after backing the immigration laws, was not up for re-election. Joe Arpaio, America's self-styled "toughest sheriff", survived a close race to win an an unprecedented sixth term as Maricopa county sheriff. | Jan Brewer, the GOP governor who came to national prominence after backing the immigration laws, was not up for re-election. Joe Arpaio, America's self-styled "toughest sheriff", survived a close race to win an an unprecedented sixth term as Maricopa county sheriff. |
| The American Civil Liberties Union and the justice department have filed lawsuits accusing him of civil rights violations and racial discrimination for his sweeps against undocumented immigrants. | The American Civil Liberties Union and the justice department have filed lawsuits accusing him of civil rights violations and racial discrimination for his sweeps against undocumented immigrants. |
| In a victory speech, the 80-year-old Arpaio, who has served as sheriff for two decades, said in his coming term he would try to explain his policies to Latinos. "I would hope to get together with the Latino community, if I could ever have them talk to me without screaming and threatening me." | In a victory speech, the 80-year-old Arpaio, who has served as sheriff for two decades, said in his coming term he would try to explain his policies to Latinos. "I would hope to get together with the Latino community, if I could ever have them talk to me without screaming and threatening me." |
| However, Arpaio, who denies wrongdoing, also said he had a message for President Barack Obama. "He's gone after me from the White House, the department of justice, the FBI, I can go on and on. But I will continue to enforce all the laws, including illegal immigration. Nothing changes." | However, Arpaio, who denies wrongdoing, also said he had a message for President Barack Obama. "He's gone after me from the White House, the department of justice, the FBI, I can go on and on. But I will continue to enforce all the laws, including illegal immigration. Nothing changes." |
| He also promised to run again in 2016. "This is my message to the media: you're going to have to put up with me for another eight years." | He also promised to run again in 2016. "This is my message to the media: you're going to have to put up with me for another eight years." |
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