OPINION — The 2026 Arizona midterm elections and the governor’s race are projected to be the most expensive ever. So far, $132 million has been raised for the governor and U.S. congressional elections. All that money brought months of non-stop political ads, mailers and negative messages.
But here’s the good news: Americans are united in their concern about unlimited money in politics. In a May 2026 Pew Research Center survey, Americans across parties ranked the role of money in politics as the biggest problem the survey tested — above health care costs, inflation, crime, immigration and the federal deficit.
Voters did not choose the system we have today. Decades of federal court decisions created it by sharply limiting what lawmakers can do about election spending.
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Opinion
Another costly election for Arizona
Photo submitted by John Hanley
John Hanley
Posted
As Election Day Approaches
To allow candidates the right to respond to criticisms about their candidacy before Election Day, the last day Independent Newsmedia will publish new election-related letters in our weekly print editions is Oct. 21, and the last day they will publish online is Oct. 27. Candidates may submit a 150-word reply addressing criticisms only and should email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org along with their name, address, contact number and the headline of the letter they’re addressing.
By John Hanley | Scottsdale
OPINION — The 2026 Arizona midterm elections and the governor’s race are projected to be the most expensive ever. So far, $132 million has been raised for the governor and U.S. congressional elections. All that money brought months of non-stop political ads, mailers and negative messages.
But here’s the good news: Americans are united in their concern about unlimited money in politics. In a May 2026 Pew Research Center survey, Americans across parties ranked the role of money in politics as the biggest problem the survey tested — above health care costs, inflation, crime, immigration and the federal deficit.
Voters did not choose the system we have today. Decades of federal court decisions created it by sharply limiting what lawmakers can do about election spending.
However, there is a solution, and it’s gaining momentum. A proposed constitutional amendment would restore the authority of voters and our elected representatives to set reasonable rules for money in elections. House Joint Resolution 191 has been introduced in Congress with Republican and Democratic support and 25 states have already called on Congress to propose an amendment solution. It’s time for Arizona to join this growing list of states!
Don’t let another election season leave our voices drowned out by elite donors. Learn more about the proposed amendment and urge your elected representatives to take action.
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