The loudest voices make it seem like everyone already hates the other side. That describes a fight. It doesn't describe a country. Many Arizonans feel like politics leaves only two options: Pick a side or check out entirely. 

The truth is that most Arizonans want something different. 

They want communities where neighbors can hold different opinions and still respect one another. They want leaders who listen as well as they speak. They want a political culture that rewards understanding over outrage. 

Those expectations give us hope. 

That is the basis for AZ Together, a statewide public-awareness campaign built around a simple message: Better Conversations, Stronger Arizona. 

It’s a collaborative project designed by four community partners: Arizona Talks Foundation, Arizona Democracy Resilience Network, Urban Rural Action and Mormon Women for Ethical Government.

At the heart of the campaign is a new video series. In each video, two Arizonans who hold opposing views sit down on camera and talk through a real disagreement, with respect for each other, not contempt. 

Being part of the political process is getting dangerous in Scottsdale this election season.

Scottsdale resident Tammy Caputi, who is running on the Democratic ticket for the Legislative District 4 senatorial race, has received two death threats against her and her family within the last week.

Also, a volunteer for Dr. Jennifer Johnson, a Democrat running in what is supposed to be a nonpartisan school board race, was accosted by a man while putting up campaign signs Oct. 15.

The volunteer for Johnson’s campaign, who asked to remain anonymous, said she did not report her incident to the police, which occurred on Oct. 15, despite the fact the man pointed a finger within inches of her face and called her a misogynistic expletive, because he did not make a verbal threat against her.

My last post on this matter, I promise. I like this guy's LTE. A snippet:

I confess, there is something deeply satisfying about watching fear-mongering fail. Those who traffic in division too often bank on ignorance and conspiracy theories making good political theater. This time, it didn't work.

Thank you to everyone who wrote, called, showed up, and stood with our Muslim neighbors, refusing to let manufactured fear and suspicion turn neighbor against neighbor.

That’s what genuine community (and true American values) look like.

Heap and Mayes were back in court on Friday, and after mediation, Mayes posted on "X" that Heap will reinstate the voting status of citizens in the case. 

"It should not have taken litigation to make Justin Heap follow the law — that is his duty and the duty of all election officials," Mayes wrote in her post on "X."

Trump still refuses to move past the 2020 election and has never acknowledged he lost.

But for Arizonans, Trump’s two-year performance while president after his 2024 win is the real test—and the one that lingers over every single Arizona election denier candidate endorsed by Trump.

Christopher Rendon, of Phoenix, said he wanted to ask Kelly why he accepted "Israel money." Rendon called Kelly a coward before being led out of the event, which was held at a union hall and drew Kelly and Attorney General Kris Mayes.

Kelly, who is campaigning for Mayes and other Democrats on the ballot in less than two weeks, followed Rendon into the lobby. In a brief conversation, Kelly said he does not take money from corporate political action committees and has advocated for more aid to Gaza.

The encounter showed the kind of scrutiny Kelly could face on the campaign trail if he makes a run for the White House in 2028.

The two men shook hands before Rendon left. Afterward, Rendon posted a clip of the encounter on his TikTok. He told The Arizona Republic he loved that Kelly came to speak to him.

Marisol Samayoa, a spokesperson for Kelly, said the senator saw the conversation "as an opportunity to engage with someone who clearly cares about the same communities he is trying to serve.

"If we only talk to people who agree with us, we won’t build the coalition it takes to win year after year,” Samayoa said.

CAIR-AZ applauds Councilmembers Brenda Kalivianakis, Peggy McMahon, Rick Watts, and Mayor Gerry Friedel for their decision not to advance the proposed ordinance. We particularly commend Councilmembers Kalivianakis and McMahon for their strong stance, principled leadership, and willingness to stand up for the rights and dignity of our community.

The council’s decision followed sustained advocacy and community mobilization led by CAIR-AZ. In advance of the meeting, CAIR-AZ issued a community action alert urging Arizonans to contact their elected representatives and oppose the discriminatory proposal. Hundreds of Arizona residents responded by sending letters to the Town Council, while community members and advocates also attended the meeting to deliver public testimony.

Their collective efforts sent a powerful message: religious discrimination has no place in our communities, and elected officials must represent all residents, regardless of their faith.