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National Democratic group invests in flipping Arizona Legislature

National Democrats are putting money behind efforts to flip control of the Arizona Legislature this year.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, known as the DLCC, announced it is investing $61,100 in Arizona as part of a $750,000 investment in seven states across the country. That’s one of the largest investments the group is making in any single state.

The new announcement comes in addition to $70,000 the group promised to spend in Arizona in December.

“These investments are not our last,” DLCC President Heather Williams said in a statement. “As the arm of the Democratic party with the sole mission of setting the national agenda in state legislatures, the DLCC is only just getting started in making 2024 the year of the states.”

Representative Jennifer Pawlik, co-chair of the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, acknowledged the money might not sound like a lot in comparison to major statewide races that can cost tens of millions of dollars.

But she said every dollar counts in legislative races, where candidates in non-competitive districts can run campaigns for around $30,000.

“Those of us who are in Tier 1 districts, it’s upwards of $200,000, so every dollar really does make a difference,” Pawlik said.

Pawlik said most of the money from the DLCC will be spent on salaries for staff in those competitive districts. Some money could also go towards television and digital advertising.

Wayne Schutsky is a broadcast field correspondent covering Arizona politics on KJZZ. He has over a decade of experience as a journalist reporting on local communities in Arizona and the state Capitol.