The AZ Political Podcast

Both U.S. Senators for Arizona are hosting town halls and other speaking events in states across the country, sparking rumors of potential of Presidential campaigns in the 2028 election. Political journalist, Jon Gabriel sits down with Jim Sharpe to talk about the probability Ruben Gallego or Mark Kelly heading to the White House.

If you've never heard a breakdown of the numbers behind the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office federal oversight case, you have to hear them on this week's AZ Political Podcast. Jim Sharpe sits down with Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan to talk about these numbers, as well as MCSO's compliance score, and even a little bit of the Sherrif's personal life.

On today's episode of the AZ Political Podcast, Democratic political consultant with Lumen Strategies, Stacy Pearson sits down with Jim Sharpe to discuss Adelita Grijalva winning the Congressional District 7 special primary election. They also discuss problems within the Arizona Democratic party, and if Gallego has a real shot at Presidency.

On today's episode of Arizona's Political Podcast, Chuck Coughlin, president and CEO of HighGround Inc, joins Jim Sharpe to talk about Elon Musk's dreams of a third American political party. Coughlin explains how it is seemingly impossible to create a successful third political party. The two also discuss recent rumors about Sen. Gallego running for President.

How do we feel about President Trump? How different are our answers when we’re asked to rate him based on his immigration policies versus his economic policies? What do we think of Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs? And how does she stack up against her likely Republican opponents (Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson) in next year’s race to be governor? Jim Sharpe sits down with Mike Noble of Noble Predictive Insights who shares the results of his most recent polling. 

Matt Salmon joined Jim Sharpe on this week's political podcast to discuss the President's "Big Beautiful Bill," as well as the president's recent policies and the dysfunction in Congress and among the parties. 

The Arizona Democratic Party could end up with a change at the top — prompted by top elected Democrats in Arizona — because they aren’t very fond of the way state chair Robert Branscomb has been running things. Democratic political consultant Tony Cani joined Jim Sharpe on this week's AZ Political Podcast to discuss the party's infighting. 

Political consultant Matt Kenney joined the podcast this week to discuss the already underway republican race for Governor in Arizona and who will run to be Arizona's first lieutenant governor. 

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined the AZ Political Podcast with Jim Sharpe and explained why she's already sued the Trump administration 13 different times. Mayes also discussed how she’s going about punishing people and reovering some of the $2.5 billion dollars lost in Arizona’s fake rehab/sober living scandal. Sharpe also asked Mayes what she still finds attractive about her old Republican party and its principles. 

On this episode of the AZ Political Podcast with Jim Sharpe, senate president Warren Petersen updates on progress to pass legislation that speeds up Arizona’s slow ballot counting process; tackle the state’s major water issues; increase education funding (including teacher pay); and find new funding for public safety.

Danny Seiden, the president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, discusses whether the new tariffs from President Donald Trump will cause Arizona’s fortunes to rise or fall and whether they could lead to future fallout for candidates representing the party of the president who implemented them.

Rep. Stanton joined the AZ Political Podcast to discuss what worries him most about Trump’s cuts to government — in regards to both the federal workers here in, and the federal funds intended for, Arizona. They also discuss the water situation in Arizona and what the FAA needs to do going forward afte the recent air tragedies. 

Sean Nobel joined Jim Sharpe on the AZ Political Podcast to talk about his latest poll on the race for governor in Arizona, which has already begun. He believes that Republican who jumped into the gubernatorial ring first, East Valley Congressman Andy Biggs, stands a better chance of beating Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs than Karin Taylor Robson, who announced her official entry into the race this week. 

Maricopa Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin joined The AZ Political Podcast with Jim Sharpe to discuss his background helping negotiating stadiums in the Valley, the board's role in the proposed bill that would help with Chase Field renovations, plus other issues Galvin helps to hope address in the coming months.

Matt Kenney joins Jim Sharpe and weighs in on how a lot of Republicans are, like him, pro-immigration. And how Arizonans have to walk a fine line between acknowledging that undocumented workers contribute to our economy — while also being a drain on our resources. And how unchecked immigration can be a national security threat.

As we approach the completion of the first week of the second Trump presidency, former Republican U.S. Congressman Matt Salmon joins Jim Sharpe on the AZ Political Podcast to assess how the 45th/47th president — and the 119th Congress — is doing so far.

Former Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates joined Jim Sharpe on this week's AZ Political Podcast to discuss his career in public service, election integrity and how he's giving back by preparing the next generation of politicians as a professor.

On this week’s AZ Political Podcast, Jim Sharpe asks Republican former Mesa Mayor John Giles if he regrets endorsing Kamala Harris, the Democrat, in the 2024 Presidential election over Republican Donald Trump (especially since Trump won by a large margin).

On this episode of the AZ Political Podcast, Congressman David Schweikert joins Jim Sharpe to recap the recent elections. Schweikert also talks about Social Security, Medicare and how to tackle the country's debt.

 Arizona has a rich history when it comes to presidential politics — both in terms of presidential candidates from Arizona and the choices our state makes in each election — so who better to talk with on the AZ Political Podcast than presidential historian Dr. Brooks D. Simpson, a professor of history at Arizona State University.

On this episode of the AZ Political Podcast, Jim Sharpe is joined by Howie Fischer, lead correspondent for Arizona's Capitol Media Services. Among the topics discussed are the craziness of the recent presidential election, how politics have gotten nasty and personal, the toughest and most enjoyable politicians Fischer has covered and what Fischer thinks about the future of Arizona.