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Latino voters crucial to Senate, governor races in Arizona

A sign marks the entrance to a voting precinct on the first day of early voting in the general election in Phoenix, Oct. 12, 2022. Arizona Latinos responded to a tough crackdown on immigrants by building a turnout machine that helped propel Democrats to power. The movement's strength will be tested Tuesday, when Democrats are counting Latino voters to help them overcome economic worries.
Ross D. Franklin
/
AP Photo
A sign marks the entrance to a voting precinct on the first day of early voting in the general election in Phoenix, Oct. 12, 2022. Arizona Latinos responded to a tough crackdown on immigrants by building a turnout machine that helped propel Democrats to power. The movement's strength will be tested Tuesday, when Democrats are counting Latino voters to help them overcome economic worries.

The turnout machine that left-leaning Latino activists have built since Arizona enacted a tough crackdown on immigrants will be put to the test in Tuesday's election.

High inflation and economic worries threaten to stall the progress Democrats have made in a state long controlled by Republicans.

Latino voters in Arizona and Nevada could play a decisive role in the balance of power in Senate and in races for governor.

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona is counting on those Latino voters to help him repeat his victory in a special election two years ago. So is Katie Hobbs, the Democratic nominee for governor in Arizona.