Arizona
Outlook: Solid Democratic
November 8, 2006 Update:
As the Crystal Ball predicted, Gov. Janet Napolitano (D)
Update:
Governor Janet Napolitano continues to breeze toward a second term.
Background
First-term Governor Janet Napolitano is the rare Democrat who succeeds in statewide Arizona politics. She narrowly won the governorship in 2002, but appears to be in relatively good shape for her 2006 reelection.
No Democrat can take anything for granted here, but since GOP Congressman J.D. Hayworth, Napolitano’s toughest potential foe, has opted out, the Republicans will have to scramble to find an opponent of real stature. There are a couple of Republicans interested in the race, but whoever the nominee turns out to be, he will have a decidedly uphill battle.