With Arizona, Trump Completes Sweep Of Battleground States

Donald Trump has clinched a critical victory in Arizona, securing the state’s 11 electoral votes and completing a sweep of all seven battleground states in the recent U.S. presidential election. This win adds to Trump’s tally, pushing him to 312 electoral votes, far surpassing the 270 needed to reclaim the White House. His triumph over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris returns Arizona to the Republican column after Democrat Joe Biden’s win there in 2020.

Arizona marks Trump’s second win in the state since his first presidential campaign in 2016. The Associated Press declared his victory on Saturday, affirming his strong support base in swing states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Nevada. Trump’s campaign emphasised issues of border security and inflation, with the Republican candidate holding Harris accountable for economic challenges and high immigration rates during the Biden administration.

This Republican victory comes as part of a broader national trend, with Trump winning more than half of the states in this election cycle. His national vote tally currently stands at 74.6 million (50.5%) compared to Harris’s 70.9 million (48%). This marks a remarkable electoral comeback for Trump, despite his previous impeachment trials and criminal convictions, which did not seem to deter voter support.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s Senate race remains fiercely contested, with Republican Kari Lake narrowly trailing Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego. Lake, a staunch Trump ally, has consistently questioned the legitimacy of Biden’s 2020 win, highlighting the lingering influence of election integrity debates.

Republicans also look set to solidify their control in Congress. They have already secured a majority in the Senate and are close to taking the House, paving the way for a potentially far-reaching Republican legislative agenda focused on tax reforms, deregulation, and strict border policies.

Trump is expected to meet outgoing President Joe Biden next week to discuss the transition, with his second inauguration set for January 20. Among Trump’s new appointees, campaign manager Susie Wiles has been named chief of staff, making her the first woman to hold this position in his administration.