US Sen. Ruben Gallego on Democrats’ chances in Arizona: ‘It will be considered a wave’

U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego said Tuesday he is optimistic about Democrats’ chances in the midterm elections, but he does not think the blue wave will be as large in Arizona as in other parts of the country.

“I think when you look at it at the end of the day, it will be considered a wave, but it won’t be to the level you see like in other states,” Gallego told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Election Day.

Gallego said the overall environment favors Democrats, but Republicans have a numerical advantage in Arizona. Still, he thinks his party will win control of the state House and Senate, pick up congressional seats, and win the races for governor, secretary of state and attorney general.

“It won’t be as big as other places because there’s a lot more registered Republicans here than other states,” he said of the Arizona blue wave. “I think people forget there’s 300,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats. It’s hard to have a blue wave in Arizona.”

Arizona has 1,522,925 registered Republicans, 1,239,489 registered Democrats and 1,612,413 voters registered with other parties or without party affiliation for Tuesday’s election, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

Why does Sen. Ruben Gallego expect Democratic wave in Arizona?

Gallego said nonpartisan voters disillusioned with the Trump administration will make the difference.

“They’re sick about the cost of living. They’re sick about the corruption. And, in their minds, this war in Iran, it’s just like the final thing that just kind of throws them over the top, right?” he said. “Because they knew things were so bad and then they see the direct correlation: war, gas prices, right? It’s the most A to B test for them that they feel that they need to do something about.”

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