Arizona Power Rankings show which figures have highest profile in state politics

PHOENIX – Who are the most high-profile people in Arizona politics?

That’s a subject Phoenix-based research firm Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) tracks with its Arizona Power Rankings, which are based on a formula designed to gauge electability.

However, an individual doesn’t have to be running for office or currently serving to be part of the list.

The latest rankings are based on polling conducted Dec. 8-11, 2025. The order is based on name ID and net favorability along with a demographic and experience score category that accounts for characteristics that match voters’ preferences.

“The NPI Power Rankings help identify potential candidates early,” Mike Noble, NPI’s chief of research, said in a statement.

While Arizona’s voter registration numbers favor Republicans, Democrats tend to have higher profiles in the current political landscape, according to NPI.

This shows up in the Arizona Power Rankings.

Who is No. 1 in the latest Arizona Power Rankings?

The No. 1 spot as 2026 begins is held by a politician who isn’t on the ballot this year: U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego.

Gallego is one of eight Democrats in the top 10 of the overall rankings.

The top Republican, at No. 2, is ex-NFL player Jay Feely. The former Arizona Cardinals kicker is running for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. David Schweikert in the 1st Congressional District.

President Donald Trump has endorsed both Feely and one of his opponents, state GOP Chair Gina Swoboda. Swoboda is No. 37 in the Arizona Power Rankings.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Republican state Treasurer Kimberly Yee and Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes round out the top five.

The next five are all Democrats: former Navajo Nation president and current congressional candidate Jonathan Nez, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, former Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone and Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Penzone’s showing is something of a surprise because he hasn’t been involved in electoral politics since he left office early in 2023 for a private sector job.

Former Gov. Doug Ducey (No. 13), Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk (No. 15), former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (No. 27) and former GOP gubernatorial and U.S. Senate nominee Kari Lake (No. 50) are among the notable names on the list who aren’t in office or running this year.

The top 10 is more balanced if based only on the demographic and experience category.

“Stripping away factors like name ID and favorability, we see a much more even partisan playing field,” Noble said. “Republicans and Democrats each account for 5 spots in our demographic-experience score top 10.”

What do Arizona Power Rankings say about gubernatorial race?

The list includes three Republicans angling for the chance to face Hobbs in the November general election. Schweikert is the highest ranked at No. 26, followed by Karrin Taylor Robson at No. 42 and U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs at No. 44.

However, when the rankings are based on how Republican survey participants responded, Biggs moves ahead at No. 6, with Schweikert at No. 7 and Taylor Robson at No. 15.

Meanwhile, Hobbs is in a much better position than her potential GOP opponents if the rankings are based on how independents responded. She’s No. 3 in that list, behind only Ruben Gallego and Kelly. Taylor Robson is well back at No. 40, followed by Schweikert at No. 46 and Biggs at No. 47.

Arizona Power Rankings full list

1. Ruben Gallego, U.S. Senator
2. Jay Feely, former Arizona Cardinals Kicker
3. Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix
4. Kimberly Yee, Arizona State Treasurer
5. Adrian Fontes, Arizona Secretary of State
6. Jonathan Nez, former Navajo Nation president
7. Mark Kelly, U.S. Senator
8. Adelita Grijalva, Congresswoman
9. Paul Penzone, former Maricopa County Sheriff
10. Katie Hobbs, Arizona Governor
11. Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County Attorney
12. Greg Stanton, Congressman
13. Doug Ducey, former Governor of Arizona
14. Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General
15. Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA
16. Carine Werner, Arizona State Representative
17. Corey Woods, Mayor of Tempe
18. Alma Hernandez, Arizona State Representative
19. Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
20. David Ortega, Mayor of Scottsdale
21. Justin Heap, Maricopa County Recorder
22. John Giles, former Mayor of Mesa
23. Oscar De Los Santos, Arizona State Representative
24. Carlos Garcia, Phoenix City Councilmember
25. Steve Montenegro, state House GOP leader
26. David Schweikert, Congressman
27. Kyrsten Sinema, former U.S. Senator
28. Thomas Galvin, Chairman, Maricopa Board of Supervisors
29. Priya Sundareshan, Arizona State Senator
30. Kiana Sears, Arizona State Senator
31. Jimmy McCain, Arizona Board of Regents
32. Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson
33. Yassamin Ansari, Congresswoman
34. Elijah Norton, Business leader
35. Laura Conover, Pima County Attorney
36. Warren Petersen, state Senate GOP leader
37. Gina Swoboda, Chairperson of the Arizona Republican Party
38. Eli Crane, Congressman
39. Chad Campbell, Chief of Staff to Governor Katie Hobbs
40. Mark Brnovich, former Arizona Attorney General (Note: Brnovich died after the rankings were compiled)
41. Marlene Galán Woods, recent congressional candidate
42. Karrin Taylor Robson, gubernatorial candidate
43. Lea Márquez Peterson, Arizona Corporation Commission
44. Andy Biggs, Congressman
45. Juan Ciscomani, Congressman
46. Abe Hamadeh, Congressman
47. Paul Gosar, Congressman
48. Blake Masters, recent U.S. Senate candidate
49. Debbie Lesko, former Congresswoman
50. Kari Lake, recent gubernatorial candidate

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