Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Arizona, where he designated a large area around the Grand Canyon as a national monument, highlights his commitment to conservation and clean energy. However, his trip also underscores the challenges he faces in winning over voters in this crucial state. Recent polls show that Biden’s approval rating is underwater in Arizona, with a 17-point deficit according to a survey by Morning Consult. Even among independent voters, Biden’s popularity is lacking, with his approval rating at just 38%. This is significant considering that independent voters outnumber Republicans and Democrats in Arizona.
Despite these struggles, Biden’s move to protect the Grand Canyon from mining enjoys broad support among voters in the state. However, it remains to be seen if this support will translate into political gains for the president. The upcoming 2024 presidential race is predicted to be a tight contest, with Arizona classified as a toss-up state by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. Biden’s visit might help to sway some voters in his favor, but he will need to do more to get his message across to the public.
President @JoeBiden's visit to Arizona to designate a large area around the Grand Canyon as a national monument showcases his work on conservation and clean energy in a state that ultimately could determine who will become president in 2024.https://t.co/VIUWmHAXyc
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 9, 2023
Additionally, Biden’s visit to Arizona puts the state’s 2024 Senate race in the spotlight. The election could potentially feature incumbent Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who recently left the Democratic party to become an independent, progressive Representative Ruben Gallego, and conservative Kari Lake. Currently, Gallego appears to be the most active candidate, holding multiple town halls across the state. It is unclear whether Sinema will run for a second term, but her attendance at Biden’s event suggests she might. Regardless of whether Sinema runs or not, the Senate race in Arizona is expected to be highly competitive.
In a hypothetical matchup, Gallego currently leads both Lake and Sinema, according to recent polling. However, Sinema’s entry into the race could complicate matters, as she has the ability to draw support from independents. Overall, Biden’s visit to Arizona highlights the challenges he faces in winning over voters in a state that could ultimately determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.
