Rep. David Schweikert confident Arizona Republicans will have good election year

PHOENIX – U.S. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona expects his Republican party to make a strong showing in this year’s elections, and not just because of redistricting.

“There’s no question this election cycle looks like it will be good for Republicans, but it was already going to be a fairly overwhelmingly good year for Republicans,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Monday.

“It’s just the national mood.”

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission approved congressional and legislative boundaries last month that will be in effect for the next decade.

The Arizona IRC has approved (5-0) the Congressional map. Access the CD map here: https://t.co/fpFlJFUNjF pic.twitter.com/G9siQ2CWuQ

— Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (@ArizonaIRC) December 22, 2021

Democrats currently have a 5-4 edge among Arizona’s U.S. House contingent. The new congressional map has four solid Republican districts and only two solid Democratic districts.

And of the three districts considered competitive, two, including Schweikert’s, have a GOP lean, meaning Republicans could realistically come out of the 2022 elections with a 6-3 advantage.

While the first elections using the new maps likely favor the GOP, Schweikert said it doesn’t necessarily mean the state will see a lasting shift from purple to red.

“There are a number of districts, though, that appear to have either thinner margins or have populations that have a history of swinging back and forth in different election cycles,” he said.

“So be prepared throughout the decade to see some real swings back and forth, particularly at the legislative level.”

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