And both the state's political parties claim they'll benefit. Nathan Sproul, executive director of the state GOP, said that the Valley population has grown most in Republican areas. And the West Valley probably gets another district. Both parties are also watching census data on the state's Hispanic population, looking for where the biggest growth is and how to embrace that ethnic group. While the parties vie for clout, the wave of newcomers and the growing size of Arizona cities are undermining the political process, said Bart Turner, executive director of Valley Citizens League, a civic group.
People feel disconnected when city hall is miles and miles away.
And they're slow to get involved. Trying to influence it at that point is not impossible but a lot more difficult. Republic writers Edythe Jensen and Mike McCloy contributed to this article. AP Wire Email newsletters Sign up to receive breaking news alerts, delivered to your inbox free whenever big news happens.