

The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast
The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com
Helping you keep up with what matters in Arizona's political news. Each week we interview politicians, public figures or journalists to break down one local issue and how it affects your life in Arizona.
Coming to you every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle is hosted by The Arizona Republic's national political reporters Ron Hansen and Stephanie Murray, and is produced by Amanda Luberto.
Coming to you every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle is hosted by The Arizona Republic's national political reporters Ron Hansen and Stephanie Murray, and is produced by Amanda Luberto.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 4, 2026 • 22min
What 2026 midterm political donations in Arizona show us
Political candidates just filed their quarterly campaign finance reports, one of the few times that the public can peek inside political campaigns to see who is giving money to politicians and what those candidates are doing with the cash.
The reports for hotly contested races like Governor, Congressional District 1 and more give us an insight into how they might do in the primaries.
So as the saying goes, this week, we follow the money.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
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Guest: Brendan Glavin
Hosts: Ron Hansen, Stephanie Murray
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 28, 2026 • 44min
Two sides on deadly ICE actions and protests
For the second time this month, a U.S. citizen has been shot and killed by federal agents during a surge in immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
The raids, protests and the new dimension of Second Amendment rights has gotten the attention of Arizonans as the presence of national agents has increased in the state.
This week on The Gaggle, we talk with guests on both sides of the issue as it expands in Phoenix and across the state.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
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Guest: Erica Connell, Art Del Cueto
Hosts: Ron Hansen, Stephanie Murray
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 21, 2026 • 27min
Supervisor Galvin talks Heap, housing & hockey
Being the largest county in the state, Maricopa County will play an immense role in settling Arizona's biggest races in the 2026 midterms this year.
Over the last few years, the county has done relatively well ensuring the process is safe, efficient and without major hiccups.
But that doesn't mean there haven't been problems, nor differing opinions on how to handle them.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by Supervisor Thomas Galvin, a Republican member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to talk about the county's litigious relations with Republican County Recorder Justin Heap, the future of election security, data centers and his personal advocacy for bringing hockey back to the desert.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
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Guest: Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin
Hosts: Ron Hansen, Stephanie Murray
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 14, 2026 • 24min
What Gov. Hobbs did (and didn't) cover in her 2026 State of the State
For the fourth time, Gov. Katie Hobbs offered her vision for Arizona's legislative priorities for 2026.
She touched on affordability and political violence, but noticeably left out some key topics.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by Republic reporters who cover the Governor's Office and the Arizona Legislature to walk us through what Hobbs covered in her speech and what it all means.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
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Guest: Stacey Barchenger, Ray Stern
Hosts: Ron Hansen, Stephanie Murray
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 7, 2026 • 17min
Where the fake electors case stands in Arizona
In January 2021, President Donald Trump leaned on Arizona officials to disregard the state's certified 2020 election results to present an alternative selection of electors. These Republican "fake electors" tried to deem Trump the winner in Arizona, although the state went to Joe Biden.
Years later, Democrat Kris Mayes' office got indictments of the 11 Republican electors and 7 others, but has yet to go to trial for most of the defendants.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by Republic reporter Stacey Barchenger. She brings us up to date on the ongoing fake electors' case, the importance it has to Mayes' bid for reelection, and if it can be closed this year.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok
Guest: Stacey Barchenger
Hosts: Ron Hansen, Stephanie Murray
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 31, 2025 • 37min
What we're watching for in 2026 politics
Goodbye 2025 and hello 2026!
Another packed election year is among us and races for Governor, Attorney General and more are expected to be noteworthy. The legislature will be working across the aisle (maybe) with an even tighter budget, Turning Point USA figures out who they are without Charlie Kirk and the weight of a Trump endorsement will be debated.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by members of the Arizona Republic politics team. In a roundtable discussion, they describe what they are watching for in Arizona politics in 2026.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok
Guest: Stacey Barchenger, Ray Stern, Laura Gersony, Stephanie Murray
Host: Ron Hansen
Producers: Amanda Luberto, Madison Knutson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 2025 • 1min
Happy Holidays from The Gaggle!
We are taking some time off for the holiday this week and we hope you are too! We'll be back next week, but for now, enjoy a break. Thanks for listening to us all year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 17, 2025 • 22min
How fewer Canadian tourists are affecting Arizona economy
This is normally a time when Canadians take a break from the cold and spend their time — and money — here in the desert for some sunshine. But this year, we have plenty of sunshine but a lack of Canadians.
The friendly neighbors to the north are feeling insulted and economically punished by President Donald Trump. He implemented and raised tariffs on Canadian goods and has stated that he would like to see it become the 51st state in the union.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by two experts to discuss the impact a lack of Canadian visitors is having on Arizona.
Read Michael's story here
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
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Guest: Michael Salerno, Miles Zimbaluk
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 2025 • 17min
What's brewing at the Arizona Capitol for 2026
In just a few short weeks, Arizona lawmakers will return to the Capitol to work through another year's budget, consider any legislative needs and take up oversight of Gov. Katie Hobbs' administration as they see appropriate.
But lawmakers are working with a tighter purse than usual, and the looming midterm election will have a lot of influence over the decisions made and the laws that get passed.
This week on The Gaggle, we're joined by The Republic's state politics reporter Ray Stern.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok
Guest: Ray Stern
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 3, 2025 • 17min
Artificial intelligence in Arizona's universities
Artificial intelligence is making its way into everything in American life: the stock market, journalism, medicine and more.
Now major universities like Arizona State are buying into the future of AI by combining it with their offered education.
This week on The Gaggle, we explore the role AI has at ASU, the future of AI in universities and how the concerns are being met.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok
Guest: Helen Rummel
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


