The shifting political tides of Arizona's second-most populous county

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Pima County is a study in political evolution. Once a reliable Democratic stronghold, it swung toward the Republican party following the population boom of World War II. Today, it remains a complex battleground where modern demographics and historical shifts collide in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.

Pima County, home to Tucson, serves as a major commercial and academic hub in south-central Arizona. Its political identity has been in constant flux. While it was a Democratic stronghold during the 1930s and 1940s, a significant population increase after World War II shifted the county toward a Republican lean. However, this shift was not absolute; notably, in 1964, the county rejected Barry Goldwater by seven points, even as he won the state by a single point.

The modern era has seen a distinct trend toward Democratic victories. Following Bill Clinton's 1992 plurality victory, Democrats have won the county by a majority in every election since 1996. Republican candidates have struggled to regain momentum, with no candidate coming within six points of a majority since the mid-90s. This trend continued into the 2020s, where Donald Trump became the first Republican since 1996 to fail to secure 40% of the vote in both 2016 and 2020, before reaching 41.8% in 2024.

The county's governance is defined by a five-member Board of Supervisors who manage services for unincorporated areas, such as the vast, sparsely populated regions containing the Tohono O'odham Nation and the San Xavier Indian Reservation. Unlike some other regions, Arizona counties are 'creatures of the state' and lack their own charters, meaning the Board operates under powers strictly delegated by state law. This structure ensures that while Pima County manages local needs like roads and public health, the state legislature retains significant control over basic local issues.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How one Arizona county became the ultimate political bellwether for the entire United States
• Why Arizona's 2016 Presidential Election Marked a Historic Shift in the Grand Canyon State
• The Arizona county experiencing rapid growth between Phoenix and Tucson
• How a single district became Arizona's most Republican stronghold
• Arizona's 2026 congressional race faces significant shifts in key districts
• Why Nigeria’s high-altitude Jos Plateau became a global hub for tin and ancient art
• Picardy is a shapeshifting territory defined more by language and culture than by borders.
• Why the airport in Montenegro's capital uses a code from a city that vanished
• Why Brazil's Piauí state expanded from the interior toward the Atlantic Ocean
• Podkarpackie: A Polish province defined by its rugged mountains and complex, layered history
• The dual legacy of a Philippine lawmaker: champion of rights or enabler of power?
• Why is Poland's coldest region also known as the Green Lungs of the country?

More in Regions and country subdivisions · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics