The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

Currently, Republicans have only a seven-seat advantage over Democrats, and that is likely to shrink by two seats after this year's special elections to fill vacancies. Republicans are standing strong behind Trump, but Democrats are eagerly using this to their advantage. But will that work in Arizona and its two swing districts, Congressional District 1 and Congressional District 6? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Nathan Gonzales of Inside Elections. He is the editor of the non-partisan elections analysis website Email us! ⁠⁠thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com⁠⁠ Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on ⁠⁠X,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠. Guest: Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections Hosts: ⁠⁠Ron Hansen⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Mary Jo Pitzl⁠⁠  Producer: ⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the 100-day mark of Trump's second term, his approval ratings are the lowest for any newly elected president in over 50 years and economic warning signs are pointing toward a recession. This should be a clear sign that Democrats will be successful in the 2026 election as they try to flip the House, but infighting might be getting in their way. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Dave Wasserman. He's the senior editor and elections analyst for the non-partisan Cook Political Report. Email us! ⁠thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com⁠ Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on ⁠X,⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Tik Tok⁠. Guest: Dave Wasserman, senior editor & election analyst at Cook Political Report Hosts: ⁠Ron Hansen⁠, ⁠Mary Jo Pitzl⁠  Producer: ⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National economic uncertainty is impacting Arizona lawmakers and their budget deadline. But this year, there may be good reason to push to the last minute. Fluctuating tariff policies and Congress' want for billions in savings has made it unclear how much money Arizona can spend quite yet.This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl take a look at Arizona's economic forecast and what it might mean for state spending in the year ahead.Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok.Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona's purple-state status has made residents accustomed to arguing at the state Capitol. But this time, the feud is between Trump-supporting Republicans and themselves.A bill that would criminalize false claims of military service has Rep. Walt Blackman (R-Snowflake) and fellow veteran Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) in a heated personal drama is playing out in the Capitol. A claim of purposeful blocking, the owner of a Trump merchandise story and a near fight on the House floor are all happening over a stolen valor bill.This week on The Gaggle, legislative reporter Ray Stern joins hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl to shine a light on the dramatic environment the bill is moving in and what it tells us about how certain laws get made.Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok.Guest: Ray Stern Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Probably more notably than any other Arizona politician, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is opposed to President Donald Trump. Currently, she involved in 11 lawsuits challenging the administration and she is still pursuing the fake electors case from the 2020 election overturn efforts.Mayes has her work cut out for her, but the 2026 election looms large already, and she will have to face voters with her record as a counterbalance to the current administration.This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl join Attorney General Kris Mayes in her office to discuss some of the high-profile battles she's fighting and what other items are on her to-do list.In the second half of the episode, Ron and Mary Jo explore the platform Mayes has embraced, if that's connecting with Arizonans and how it's impacting her approach to reelection in 2026.Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok.Guest: Attorney General Kris Mayes Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For some politicians, like Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne, Trump's attacks on DEI, transgender students and dismantling the Department of Education come as good news. It follows rhetoric that he's been pushing for years. But for others, like Attorney General Kris Mayes, a lawsuit is in order.This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by two of the paper's education reporters. (1:13) - They break down how Arizona's education system is being impacted by the Trump administration, how divided Arizona politicians are on national decisions and what is being done at the local level regarding DEI reduction.(19:15) Mary Jo and Ron use their expertise to explore where repercussions to following — or not following — the president's ideas stand.Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok.Guest: Helen Rummel, the Arizona Republic's higher education reporter, and Madeleine Parrish, the Arizona Republic's K-12 education reporter. Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been trying to revamp Chase Field for years now. So far, that journey has left them without the proper funds to renovate the 27-year-old stadium. A new amendment to House Bill 2704 proposes a 50-50 split between Phoenix and Maricopa County to provide as much as $500 million a year from the sales taxes collected at the stadium – a change that prompted the county to oppose the bill. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Bret McCormick. He's a beat writer for the Sports Business Journal covering fan experiences, ticketing and sports facilities.(1:53) Bret talks with Ron and Mary Jo about the reality of the Diamondbacks ballpark situation and how Arizona compares to other states in similar positions. (19:20) Then, Ron and Mary Jo break down the bipartisan support — and bipartisan opposition — the bill is finding in the Legislature.Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok.Guest: Bret McCormick, beat writer for the Sports Business Journal covering fan experiences, ticketing and sports facilities.Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raúl Grijalva, the dean of Arizona’s congressional delegation who spent more than 40 years in public service, succumbed to lung cancer last week. He was 77.His loss is felt by his family, friends, colleagues and constituents. But the search for his replacement has already began. Gov. Katie Hobbs has set a date for the special election to fill his empty spot in Congress and notable names like Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Adelita Grijalva, his daughter, and politician in her own right, have expressed interest in representing District 7.This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by national politics reporter Laura Gersony.Together they retrace Grijalva’s career and discuss what comes next in Congressional District 7. Later in the episode, Ron and Mary Jo break down the reality of what could transpire when his seat is filled and more about Ron's experiences interviewing Grijalva over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scottsdale residents voted in a new mayor and new City Council in the 2024 election. Almost immediately, the new faces at City Hall started kicking up dust in a city that calls itself “The West’s Most Western town.”Eliminating DEI measures against residents' wishes, a controversy over a parking garage, an ethics complaint about the new mayor and more have Scottsdale City Council feeling more like reality television than C-SPAN.This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by city watchdog reporter Taylor Seely. She covers Phoenix in addition to Scottsdale and has been reporting on the antics of Scottsdale's City Council.Taylor joins The Gaggle to give an update on what is going on in Scottsdale and how the drama is resonating with those in charge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congress is looking to make room for trillions in tax cuts that are titled to corporations and the wealthy. Now, America's health-care program for the disabled, pregnant women and low-income earners is up for possible large federal funding cuts.More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid, with 2 million of them living in Arizona.The magnitude of the potential cuts, and the consequences for the people who rely on Medicaid, are on the minds of state lawmakers. They say the state needs to build its upcoming budget around the likelihood of cuts and tighten its belt. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are examining what cuts in Medicaid funding would mean for Arizona. First, a health care reporter at The Republic, Stephanie Innes, discusses how many people will be impacted by this decision. Later, Kohler shines a light on the politics of the situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices