Obama makes in-roads among East Valley Democrats
February 6th, 2008, 9:44 am · Post a Comment · posted by Le Templar
Barack Obama speaks to Illinois supporters on Super Tuesday (Reuters)
Sen. Barack Obama came in second statewide among Arizona voters, but scored an important victory among some East Valley Democrats that is helping him keep pace with Hillary Clinton.
According to the Secretary of State, Obama narrowly won the most votes in Congressional District 5, which covers most of Scottsdale, Tempe and Ahwatukee Foothills. The Democratic Party’s arcane system of handing out convention delegates means Obama will grab a portion in Arizona with this win. Obama lost in Congressional District 5, which covers most of the south East Valley including Mesa, Gilbert and much of Chander, and Congressional District 1, covers the Pinal County portions of the East Valley. But his margin in those two districts was closer than the overall Arizona defeat.
CD 5 and CD 6 both have more Republican registered voters, and Democrats in those districts are generally viewed to be more moderate or centrist than traditional strongholds such as Pima County. But Obama picked up widespread support here, despite his strong liberal voting record, demonstrating a nationwide trend that Democrats are generally happy with Obama and Clinton as the two main contenders for their party’s nomination.
