Both state parties believe they'll gain seats in Legislature

Less than five weeks from election day, both the Arizona Democratic Party and Arizona Republican Party are anticipating pick ups in state House and Senate races.

Brett Mecum, the political director of the Arizona Republican Party, told PolitickerAZ.com that the party's doubts about making gains in the Arizona Legislature have disappeared with the addition of Gov. Sarah Palin to the Republican presidential ticket.

Mecum said that while "as little as a month ago" the AZ GOP had fretted they might not net seats in the Legislature, Palin has "energized the Republican base across Arizona, and, quite frankly, across the nation," and that new energy will translate into down ticket victories.

Mecum predicted his Party would gain one Senate seat and two to four House seats, though he didn't say which he thought were likeliest to switch.

Not surprisingly, Emily DeRose, spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party, had a different take.

"We continue to work to take back the state House and work hard just as well in the Senate, which is a good possibility as well," said DeRose

DeRose said Arizona voters are "sick of partisan bickering," and say the current majority is "ideologically opposed" to talking about issues such as transportation infrastructure, developing jobs in renewable energy sectors and building new schools.

"What they want to talk about is not the problems Arizona faces," said DeRose.

Unlike Mecum, DeRose did not see either presidential candidate being a big factor in down ticket races.

"I really don't know that there will be tremendous coattails from either campaign," she said.

Like Mecum, DeRose declined to identify specific races Democrats are targeting, but DeRose said that for her party there are "opportunities all over the state."

Check out Wally Edge's column Thursday for an analysis of the state House and Senate races to watch between now and election day.