The Arizona Republic surveys the races for the chairmanships of both major political parties in the state in the wake of the November elections which saw the Democratic party make some gains in the legislature.
Where do we go from here? That's the question both the Arizona Republican and Democratic parties are pondering right now. Much about how the state's two major political parties answer will be apparent next month when they select their chairmen for the next two-year election cycle.
The race for chairman is a bit below the radar of the average Arizonan, but the individual who holds the position is a key mouthpiece for party values, and plays a central role in candidate selection for state races, fund-raising and campaign spending.
State Republicans will be choosing a new leader Jan. 27, with Chairman Matt Salmon stepping down. His Democratic counterpart, David Waid, said he hasn't decided whether he'll seek the chairmanship once more Jan. 20.
In the wake of last month's election, the state GOP is feeling a bit on the defensive after losing a handful of legislative seats and some other key contests. Democrats are emboldened, though their victories may be fleeting if they're unable to protect newly won seats and capitalize on their increased influence.
Among the candidates to lead the Arizona GOP are Lisa James, who played key roles in the Arizona campaigns for President Bush in 2000 and 2004, and is state director for the Republican National Committee's Victory 2006 campaign, and Randy Pullen, an RNC member who was a prominent supporter of the Proposition 200 illegal immigration measure that voters approved in 2004.
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