State profile: Arizona

Arizona used to be a Republican stronghold, but it has become increasingly politically volatile in recent years. It voted for Bill Clinton in 1996, opted for George Bush in 2000, elected a Democratic governor in 2002, then voted for Bush again in 2004.

In 2006, Democrats picked up two Republican seats in the House, but Republican Senator John Kyl held his seat.

One reason for this state of flux could be the considerable and growing Hispanic community (now 29% of the population), which tends to vote Democrat.

But with Arizona Senator John McCain on the ballot for the Republicans, the state is very unlikely to opt for Barack Obama in November's presidential race.

Private technology enterprises are the key to Arizona's phenomenal economic growth since World War II. Arizona rejected the top-down economic thinking of the New Deal era and instead embraced entrepreneurship and hi-tech industry.

KEY FACTS Population: 6,166,318 (ranked 16 among states) Governor: Janet Napolitano (D) Electoral College votes: 10

It was this approach that Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater promoted during his 1964 presidential election campaign.

He lost in a landslide, but his ideas formed the basis of modern American conservatism, and Goldwater himself helped ensure that between 1952 and 1996 Arizona was the only state to vote Republican in every presidential election.

IN CONGRESS House of Representatives: 4 Democrat, 4 Republican Senate: 2 Republican

The private sector is still growing, especially in the field of technology, with support from major employers including Motorola and Intel.

A strong economy, helped by low state taxes, has brought about rapid population growth - from 70,000 in 1945 to 6.1 million in 2005.

VOTING RECORD 2004: Bush 55%, Kerry 44% 2000: Bush 51%, Gore 45% 1996: Clinton 47%, Dole 44%

But Arizona still has a high poverty rate, especially among native Americans, who make up a sizeable 5% of the population.

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