Guide to The Fifty: Four Corners
Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming
Utah: Third Party Voters
In 2016, roughly 1 in 4 Utah voters chose to support a third-party candidate for president. In 2020, that dropped to 1 in 20 as most voters acquiesced to the two-party system.
New Mexico: Energy
A recent energy boom has buoyed New Mexico’s typically cash-strapped budget, allowing the state’s liberal leaders to enact progressive policies. Although, the money flowing from the state’s oilfields has proven to be a prickly political football as conservatives are angered with the way the funds have been used.
Colorado: Red Meat Politics
Battle lines were drawn in Colorado when the governor declared a “MeatOut” day. While liberals in the state were encouraged by the declaration’s positive environmental effects, conservatives were angered as they saw it as an attack on the state’s livestock farming industry.
Arizona: Spotlight on Maricopa
It always comes down to Maricopa County. The county is Arizona’s most populous, holding slightly over 60% of its voters as well as the state capital: Phoenix.
Wyoming: A Revolving Door for Republicans
Wyoming has historically been more libertarian than conservative, embracing a laissez-faire attitude that fiercely rejects big government. Residents aren’t swayed by the larger culture war the national GOP is waging but also won’t entertain Democratic candidates. As a result, far-right loyalists are slowly consolidating power in the state as voters are left with few alternatives.
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