Arizona’s 2026 midterms delivered a strong run of Democratic victories, helping flip both chambers of Congress and shifting several congressional contests toward Democrats.

In Arizona, Trump-endorsed Republicans lost to Democratic incumbents in the governor, attorney general and secretary of state races, while the 1st and 6th congressional districts were on course to flip; the 2nd District remained too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon.

Analysts said the results pointed to a broader problem for Republicans: Democrats kept winning in a state with more registered Republicans, suggesting Trump’s low approval was weighing down the party, while voters often punish those in power when they think conditions are getting worse.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump’s approval at 32%, and analysts cited the cost of living, immigration enforcement and the Iran war as factors weakening Republicans; half of respondents named the cost of living their top concern in congressional elections.

Democratic consultant Stacy Pearson said immigration enforcement became a breaking point for some voters, while people in counties with large veteran populations worried about the Iran war; Samara Klar also pointed to tariffs and rising fuel, fertilizer and grocery prices that Republicans had promised to address.

Democrats also made Republican candidates’ ties to Trump and his policies a central target, attacking Ciscomani over healthcare, food assistance and the Iran war and using a sports-broadcast ad to portray Feely as pro-MAGA.

But trying to create distance from Trump was no sure fix: Juan Ciscomani presented himself as bipartisan and left Trump’s endorsement off his website, yet lost Arizona’s 6th District by Thursday afternoon, while Jay Feely, who skipped Trump’s rally, lost the 1st District to Democrat Amish Shah.

The dilemma was especially clear for Republicans deciding how closely to embrace Trump: Andy Biggs kept Trump’s endorsement prominent despite changing his campaign logo, while David Schweikert warned Biggs could struggle with independent voters; consultant Jason Rose said established MAGA candidates could not shift their stance without losing authenticity.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said Trump’s endorsement hurt her opponent, Warren Peterson, pointing to her office’s lawsuits against Trump and saying voters wanted “sanity” and lawfulness.

Republicans and Democrats offered competing explanations for the losses: Vice President JD Vance blamed the Iran war, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans had failed to deliver the change voters sought, and Trump said the results reflected that he was not personally on the ballot.