An unparalleled understanding of Arizona government & public affairs. J Charles Coughlin, President.

Joined July 2009
439 Photos and videos
👏🏆 What an incredible evening at the 2026 Best of the Capitol Awards! @azhighground was honored to be recognized by @AzCapitolTimes as the 2026 Best PR Firm, Best Polling Firm, and Best Lobbying Firm. We’re proud to celebrate our colleague, @Ponder_N, on being named Best Power Broker, and grateful that our work on the @YesonProp409 campaign helped contribute to its recognition as Best PAC. These awards reflect the dedication of our clients, partners, and team members who work every day to shape meaningful outcomes for Arizona. Not pictured: our outstanding teammate Leigh Moreno, who is currently enjoying maternity leave. She was dearly missed and remains an invaluable part of our lobbying team. Congrats to all of this year’s winners and honorees who are helping make the state we call home an even better place!
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🗳️🇺🇸 The economy is booming. So why are voters still uneasy? “You used to be able to sell anything if it created jobs... We aren't in that spot anymore because we've been very economically successful — but the electorate doesn't feel that success.” Pollster @prbentz says a disconnect between affordability and voter sentiment is reshaping politics, and that Trump’s endorsement remains the “gold standard” in GOP primaries. 🔌Bentz joins @dennis_welch on @azfamily Politics Unplugged to break down Trump’s grip on the Republican Party and what it means for 2026. 🔗azfamily.com/2026/06/01/poli…
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Coughlin breaks down the political shakeups in Tempe and across the country — from incumbents getting ousted to a Democratic Socialist winning a seat on Tempe Council. Plus, a deep dive into the investigation surrounding former sheriff Mark Lamb, and what it could mean for Trump’s endorsement. 👀 🔗Full @azfamily interview: youtube.com/watch?v=rqgFLDUV…
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Coughlin describes Trump's latest purges as a "purification exercise" that could alienate the smaller but significant ⁠minority of Republican voters who backed Cornyn, Massie and Cassidy. Read more @EconomicTimes 👇
Trump's revenge tour against Republicans could cost the party in November economictimes.indiatimes.com…
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HighGround, Inc. retweeted
“Hobbs is now riding this wave of discontent that the public is feeling over our president.” Political analyst Chuck Coughlin says Gov. Katie Hobbs has an advantage because she doesn’t have to spend until July, with no primary opposition. “It’s really her race to lose, now.” 🎥 Watch the clip for more of his analysis on Hobbs’ chances — and what he thinks about the Republicans competing in the gubernatorial primary: ktar.com/jim-sharpe/az-polit…
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“It’s no longer the Republican Party that you and I grew up with — it’s Donald Trump’s Republican Party.” Coughlin joins host @JimSharpe to discuss why Arizona’s political future may be shifting more blue and what 2026 could mean for the state’s political landscape. 🎧 Listen here: ktar.com/jim-sharpe/az-polit…
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HighGround, Inc. retweeted
At our @EVPartnership Board Mtg, we appreciated updates from @ParkUniversity @ParkUGilbert @BenZibers @KellyStinnett5 on many educational & athletic team opportunities, @CAPArizona @Tony_Staffaroni Colorado River #Water proposals, and “Table Talk!” with @azhighground @AZRegents
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"It's a disaster." President & CEO of HighGround Inc. Chuck Coughlin told the Faceoff panel that he does not think the plan for the Iran war has been very well executed by the Trump administration.
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⛽️“The price of everything has gone up, Trump promised just the opposite,” Coughlin tells @politico. “He’s gonna pay a price at the polls.” 🔗politico.com/news/2026/05/06…
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HighGround, Inc. retweeted
SRP entered into an agreement with NextEra Energy Resources to develop 3,000 megawatts of new solar generation by 2034. These projects will deliver low-cost energy to SRP customers and create long-term community benefits across Arizona.
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🎱 @prbentz says Schweikert is “behind the eight ball” and his spending hasn’t closed the gap with Andy Biggs, who holds a strong polling lead. More on where he sees trouble ahead 👇 @azcentral azcentral.com/story/news/pol…
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As these issues loom over the election, @prbentz, among others, sees no chance of a Republican sweep at the top of the ticket, given the political headwinds related to Trump’s unpopularity. “There’s a shot, but the shot seems to be dwindling every day that gas prices stay at $5 in the state,” he told @cronkitenews. cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2026/…
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War in Iran. Gas prices. Everyday costs. Affordability is the issue, and solutions are still lacking, @prbentz told @azfamily ahead of Trump’s Arizona visit last Friday. azfamily.com/2026/04/17/pres…
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🎙️“You either run scared or you run unopposed," @prbentz says both sides should be paying attention. 📊Survey after survey shows voters are feeling stretched thin—groceries, gas, the basics. Bentz says those factors matter. Campaigns can't just run against Trump; they’ve got to clearly say what they’re for. @kjzzphoenix 🔗kjzz.org/podcast/kjzzs-the-s…
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“He’s aware that a significant portion of the country outside his MAGA base, and even some within the MAGA base, are vehemently opposed ​to what he’s done,” Chuck Coughlin tells @Reuters. “And I think the price is going to come due.” reuters.com/world/middle-eas…
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“Parts of the SRP campaign were super good, affordability, reliability, cost of power, Coughlin said. “But it didn’t matter, because Turning Point became the issue, and that turned out gobs of people who have never voted in an SRP election ever.” azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026…
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🏆 Voting is OPEN for the 2026 @AzCapitolTimes Best of the Capitol! HG and our esteemed colleagues have been nominated for various categories👇and would greatly appreciate your vote!  We encourage you to check out all of the amazing nominees in recognition of their commitment to our great state. Vote here ➡️ tinyurl.com/botcvotehighgrou… Best PR Firm Best Polling Firm Best Lobbying Firm @azhighground Best Lobbyist @SunDevilScotty Best Power Broker @Ponder_N Best PR Person Barrett Beall
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“There will be a point in time where she’s going to have to move on and either choose to be a voice in that MAGA universe, and fulfill that role, or just call it a day and go do something else,” Coughlin said of Lake. @cronkitenews cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2026/…
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