Why is Arizona republican,but new mexico Democratic in politics even though

[cokezero100]

they're sibling states? they were actually 2 halves of new mexico territory until the civil war.what made them go in opposite directions politcally eventually?

[sixmillionways]

Because the majority of people that live in Arizona are obviously Republican and the majority of those in New Mexico are Democrats. What does the Civil War have to do with anything?

[brooks b]

Both states are fairly similar in terms of politics. Arizona leans slightly Republican, New Mexico leans slightly Democrat. Neither party has a big edge in either state. The previous answer about demographics explains these subtle differences.

[Just Me]

Because the more intelligent and enlightened people live in New Mexico.

[Pamela V]

Because they are two different States!

[Master Yoda]

The reason NM is democratic is because a the larger northern part of the state is democratic, based on voting stats from past elections over the decades. The southern part of the state is primarily republican, but the southern portion of the state isn't as heavily populated as the north.

Albuqurque which is fairly central, geographicaly can go either way and is fairly clsoe in numbers as far as party affiliation.

[Ryan]

Demographics explain it.

Arizona has a higher per capita income and has a smaller Native American population, a group that votes for Democrats more than Republicans.

Arizona also has a larger Mormon population. They are generally considered the most Republican group in the USA.

Lastly, Phoenix is unusual when compared to most other urban areas because it leans more to the right than most others.