Arizona - only US state where large metro is more conservative than many small towns? (Phoenix: suburbs, exodus)

[Tex?Il?]

OK, yes I agree that Arizona for the most part follows the same patterns as most other states.

Yes, most of its rural/small town counties are still conservative/republican.

But the state is still unique in three ways that may not exactly prove my original premise correct, yet still a modified premise the state does stand out in its political geography:

1. That the state has more rural areas/small towns that are majority minority (either Native American/Amerindian) or (Hispanic/Latino) making more rural areas/small towns that go blue.

2. That two of the four smaller regional urban areas in Arizona also have an economy and culture dominated by major public universities - thus going blue. (Being Tuscon and Flagstaff vs Yuma and Prescott) Arizona just doesn't have as many multiple urban centers whether big or small so it has a higher % of its smaller urban centers that go blue than most other states.

3. That its major metro area is contained with ALL its suburbs and exurbs in ONE county, and has HUGE suburban cities that are very suburban, AND wealthy or Mormon. That still means there is strong political influence over the whole metro area.


Again, I'm not saying like its a literal flip where all the rural areas are liberal/progressive whereas the whole metro area is conservative. I'm just saying for these reasons Arizona DOES stand out some.

Arizona is a unique state in a lot of ways and has many features/phenomena, and patterns unlike anywhere else.

[KurtAZ]

Actually...it is the common pattern of the urban cores in transient states going very blue and affecting the state as a whole. It is not really all that unique if you went back historically and looked at the flip of traditionally Red states (Colorado comes to mind). You may see this start happening in Idaho and (gasp) Utah as more and more Democrats move into the major population areas. SLC is not as heavily LDS as it used to be and Boise Metro has been absorbing a lot of non-Idahoans as of late. I think this is why "they" tried to stage a coup in Utah during 2016 with Evan McMullin to split the vote and MAYBE give HRC a win in that state.

Anyway...just a thought.

[Tall Traveler]

Arizona remains unique in having its largest metro (by far) being as conservative if not more conservative than the state as a whole...no other state has that, it's unique.

[SouthernBound14]

It seems common in many states now that cities are blue and the outskirts are more conservative. Name me too many that aren't. If I was a betting man, I'd say Arizona on average is more conservative than most states wherever. Even in Phoenix. The SW cities seem to attract more straight people on average than say Portland OR, or girly men types would for sure be less in Phoenix I'd imagine. But then again, seems like cliques are also eliminated more with a conservative environment, a truly conservative environment.


In Phoenix it seems to me that Maricopa had a lot of BS with Sheriff Joe and the people who love him but in all honesty, I believe more people work to being real Americans a bit more there than say Portland/area where its more antisocial for sure.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by SouthernBound14

It seems common in many states now that cities are blue and the outskirts are more conservative. Name me too many that aren't. If I was a betting man, I'd say Arizona on average is more conservative than most states wherever. Even in Phoenix. The SW cities seem to attract more straight people on average than say Portland OR, or girly men types would for sure be less in Phoenix I'd imagine. But then again, seems like cliques are also eliminated more with a conservative environment, a truly conservative environment.


In Phoenix it seems to me that Maricopa had a lot of BS with Sheriff Joe and the people who love him but in all honesty, I believe more people work to being real Americans a bit more there than say Portland/area where its more antisocial for sure.

Strange post, but of course the Phoenix metro is more conservative than Portland’s. Since you brought it up for some reason, we do have a thriving and fairly visible gay community, although I’m not sure what that has to do with anything.

[KurtAZ]

Originally Posted by SouthernBound14

It seems common in many states now that cities are blue and the outskirts are more conservative. Name me too many that aren't. If I was a betting man, I'd say Arizona on average is more conservative than most states wherever. Even in Phoenix. The SW cities seem to attract more straight people on average than say Portland OR, or girly men types would for sure be less in Phoenix I'd imagine. But then again, seems like cliques are also eliminated more with a conservative environment, a truly conservative environment.


In Phoenix it seems to me that Maricopa had a lot of BS with Sheriff Joe and the people who love him but in all honesty, I believe more people work to being real Americans a bit more there than say Portland/area where its more antisocial for sure.

I really don't think "conservatism" is a delineation of "Man's Man" vs. a "Metro"...at least not in my experience. I know plenty of milquetoast Republicans and definite Alpha Democrats. Contrary to popular belief there are plenty of conservatives in the LGBT community as well.

[SouthernBound14]

Originally Posted by KurtAZ

I really don't think "conservatism" is a delineation of "Man's Man" vs. a "Metro"...at least not in my experience. I know plenty of milquetoast Republicans and definite Alpha Democrats. Contrary to popular belief there are plenty of conservatives in the LGBT community as well.

Oh I know. I just used that. Democrat or Republican have nothing to do with it too, but the types who come to Portland I meant more vs say a Massachusetts Democrat or something who really isn't for gay marriage at the core.



I just don't see too many open republican glbt's, unless they are in Arizona.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by SouthernBound14

Oh I know. I just used that. Democrat or Republican have nothing to do with it too, but the types who come to Portland I meant more vs say a Massachusetts Democrat or something who really isn't for gay marriage at the core.



I just don't see too many open republican glbt's, unless they are in Arizona.

LOL Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage? What are you talking about exactly and what does that have to do with AZ?

[More Rock]

A small AZ town is Mammoth, not Flag. Mammoth and the dozens of other small towns I've visited are red.

[infocyde]

So is this an argument for zombie walls to keep out democrats? They migrate and spread the disease...

Troll'en Troll'en Troll'en