The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

We're back! Help us improve by taking our 10-question survey to let us know what you think about the show: bit.ly/GaggleSurvey. Election spending for some 2018 midterm candidates and races in Arizona is hitting record highs. Arizona Republic reporters explain how and why Citizens United, super PACs, independent donors and more are working to influence your vote. To hear more about election spending from Terry Goddard and Sean Noble: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/09/19/money-politics-what-you-need-know-goddard-noble/1266235002/ Follow the team on Twitter: This episode features national political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen and business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter. Our producers are Lauren Aguirre @laurencaguirre, Tea Francesca Price @_tfprice, Taylor Seely @taylahseely and Kaila White @kailawhite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Republic is improving its politics podcast. Give us your feedback: https://bit.ly/GaggleSurvey Join us Wednesday, September 19th and every Wednesday after that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a strange election day in Arizona. The nation’s eyes are on the state after U.S. Sen. John McCain’s death Saturday. Both of our Senate seats are open. And for the first time in a long time, it looks like Democrats might stand a chance in the races for one of those Senate seats and maybe even for governor. We take you inside two election parties where you can hear from winners Martha McSally and David Garcia as our political reporters share key insights on the Arizona primary and how it may impact November elections. Follow the team on Twitter: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen and state government and politics reporter Maria Polletta @mpolletta. This episode was produced by Tea Francesca Price @_tfprice and Taylor Seely @taylahseely and was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a 13-month battle with brain cancer, U.S. Sen. John McCain died Saturday, Aug. 25, at home in Arizona. He was 81. Hear some of the most powerful quotes from McCain himself, heartfelt memories from his closest friends, reactions from world leaders including President Donald Trump and President Barack Obama, and insights from our political reporters on McCain’s life, legacy and what happens next. Read, watch and hear more at mccain.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen and state government and politics reporter Maria Polletta @mpolletta. This episode was produced and edited by Tea Francesca Price @_tfprice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator John McCain will end medical treatment for the brain cancer he was diagnosed with over a year ago, according to statements released by his family. The six-term senator has continued Senate duties as much as he could from his family home in northern Arizona. Reporters talk about the impact McCain's had on Arizona and what will happen if the Senate seat becomes vacant. Follow the team on Twitter: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen and investigative reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl. This episode was produced and edited by Carly Henry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode, the team sat down with Tom Steyer, a California billionaire who is spending part of his fortune in Arizona's elections. Steyer's political organization has contributed a large amount of funds to support Arizona's clean energy ballot initiative. The Gaggle comes to you every Monday. But next week, check your feed for the new episode on Wednesday instead. You'll hear the team's analysis of the primary election results. Learn more with The Republic's coverage: APS goes all out against clean energy initiative - https://azc.cc/2LeR6KS | Trial begins over renewable energy proposal - https://azc.cc/2wbivaS | From Des Moines Register: Tom Steyer on impeaching Trump - https://azc.cc/2OUowk0 | Find more at politics.azcentral.com You can follow Tom Steyer on Twitter @TomSteyer. Follow the team: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter, reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings, and higher education reporter Rachel Leingang @rachelleingang. This episode was recorded by Carly Henry @carlyhenry_. It was edited and produced by Lauren Aguirre @laurencaguirre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona's primary is Aug. 28. Federal and state officials are working to ensure the security of voter information in light of Russian hacking in 2016. How secure are these systems? What should you do when mailing in your ballot? And what should you bring to the polls on election day? Keep an eye out for a special episode of The Gaggle posting later this week. The team sat down with a California billionaire who is spending part of his fortune in Arizona's elections. The Gaggle comes to you every Monday. But next week, check your feed for the new episode on Wednesday instead. You'll hear the team's analysis of the primary election results. Learn more with The Republic's coverage: Feds say Russian attempts to disrupt midterms ongoing - https://azc.cc/2OKIFZJ | Arizona servers used by Russian hackers in 2016 - https://azc.cc/2zF2tLq | Secretary of state candidates spar over voter-registration rules - https://azc.cc/2OP1P0p | Voter’s guide: Learn more about Arizona candidates - https://azc.cc/2vZJuXy | Find more at politics.azcentral.com Follow the team on Twitter: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, state politics reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner and consumer investigations reporter Rebekah L. Sanders @rebekahlsanders. This episode was edited and produced by Lauren Aguirre @laurencaguirre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal authorities face the daunting job of trying to ensure the 2018 midterms are not influenced by foreign entities. Social media platforms are cracking down on bot and spam accounts. How can you tell if an account isn't genuine? The Gaggle will now come to you every Monday. Look out for new episodes each week in your podcast feed. Learn more with The Republic's coverage: Fake Twitter accounts supporting Gov. Ducey - https://azc.cc/2MBCwyi | Russians played up Glendale murder-suicide in 2016 - https://azc.cc/2rD6Lwj | What is the QAnon conspiracy theory movement? - https://azc.cc/2Mww2AW | Find more at politics.azcentral.com Follow the team on Twitter: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings and reporter Kaila White @kailawhite. This episode was edited and produced by Lauren Aguirre @laurencaguirre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona is seeing economic growth, but financial prosperity is not being equally felt across the state. How can economic sentiments among voters affect the 2018 elections? Also, the team takes you into the rooms where Republican Senate and governor candidates each faced off in front of The Arizona Republic editorial board. The Gaggle will now come to you every Monday. Look out for new episodes each week in your podcast feed. Learn more with The Republic's coverage: Arizona ranks No. 5 in economic momentum - https://azc.cc/2nf0Laq | 1 in 4 Arizona children in poverty - https://azc.cc/2N7p3ik | Senate candidates Martha McSally and Kelli Ward clash - https://azc.cc/2LGlRxi | Gov. Doug Ducey and challenger Ken Bennett debate - https://azc.cc/2OoVUQu | Find more at http://politics.azcentral.com Follow the team on Twitter: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, state government and politics reporter Maria Polletta @mpolletta, reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings, and business and personal finance reporter Russ Wiles @azmoneynews. This episode was edited and produced by Lauren Aguirre @laurencaguirre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Independent voters are on the verge of making up the largest electoral block in Arizona. Here's what that means for the upcoming elections. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, political reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings, and diversity and inequality reporter Maria Polletta @mpolletta. This episode was edited by Sierra Juarez @sierraraejuarez. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices