Ajo, AZ

Ajo, Arizona, leans heavily Democratic, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI) of D+13, making it one of the most reliably blue communities in a state that is otherwise a pure toss-up. The state of Arizona as a whole carries a Cook PVI of EVEN, meaning it is perfectly balanced between the two major parties. This means Ajo is a political outlier—a deep-blue island in a purple state, and its voting patterns have been consistent for decades, driven by a unique mix of local history, demographics, and economic realities.

How it compares

To understand Ajo’s political climate, you have to look at the surrounding region. The town sits in western Pima County, far from the liberal stronghold of Tucson (which is D+15) and even farther from the conservative bastions of Maricopa County. Drive 40 miles east to the small town of Why, Arizona, or 60 miles north to Gila Bend, and you’ll find communities that lean more Republican, reflecting the broader rural trend in Arizona. Ajo’s D+13 rating is a stark contrast to the state’s EVEN PVI, which is pulled to the center by the massive, competitive suburbs of Phoenix and the reliably red rural areas. In the 2020 presidential election, Ajo precincts voted for Joe Biden by a margin of roughly 2-to-1, while neighboring Pinal County (just to the east) went for Donald Trump by a similar ratio. This split isn’t new—Ajo has voted Democratic in every presidential election since at least 2000, while Arizona flipped from red to purple only in the last decade.

What this means for residents

For liberal residents, Ajo offers a rare sense of political comfort in a state where many rural areas feel hostile. Local elections tend to be decided in Democratic primaries, and progressive policies—like support for public lands conservation and immigrant rights—are broadly popular. The town’s large Latino population (over 60% of residents) and its history as a copper mining hub have fostered a working-class Democratic identity that feels authentic, not coastal. For conservative residents, life in Ajo can be more isolating politically, but it’s not oppressive. The local economy is small, and most people know each other, so political disagreements rarely escalate. You’ll still see Trump signs on a few front yards, and the local gun culture is strong regardless of party. The real friction comes from state-level politics: Ajo’s representatives in the Arizona Legislature are almost all Democrats, but the state government in Phoenix is controlled by Republicans, meaning local priorities—like funding for the nearby Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument or water rights—often get sidelined.

Culturally, Ajo feels distinct from the rest of Arizona. The town’s historic Spanish colonial revival architecture and its status as a gateway to the Sonoran Desert give it a laid-back, border-town vibe that’s more akin to Bisbee than to Phoenix. There’s a strong sense of community self-reliance, partly because the nearest major city (Tucson) is 120 miles away. Policy-wise, Ajo has embraced local control: the town council has passed resolutions supporting sanctuary city policies, and the local school district is one of the few in the state to offer bilingual education programs. These moves are popular locally but put Ajo at odds with state laws, like the 2010 SB 1070 immigration enforcement bill. For anyone moving here, the key takeaway is that Ajo’s politics are deeply rooted in its geography and history—it’s not a place that swings with national trends. If you’re a liberal, you’ll feel at home; if you’re a conservative, you’ll find a community that values neighborliness over partisanship, but you’ll need to accept that your vote will rarely carry the day locally.