Democrats need to compete everywhere.

This weekend, my wife and I went to Pinetop to help my parents with home improvements at their house.

As we left the valley, I could not help but notice that as we drove on State Highway 87 from Fountain Hills to Showlow, the political signs that are on virtually every permissible street corner pretty much stopped showcasing those that belonged to Democratic Candidates.

While it is true that Democratic Candidates generally achieve their greatest electoral margins in urban and, increasingly, suburban areas and there is more to campaigning (door knocking, house parties, a vibrant social media presence), it is potential  political malpractice to not have a visible presence in the rural and smaller towns/cities in the states.

Even with a potential blue wave this November, all state and local candidates would do well not to write off any region especially if certain races wind up as nail-biters and a visible presence in these areas could help a Democrats margins. Towns like Payson or Pinetop Lakeside or Fountain Hills should not be conceded to the Republicans. Many in these towns, as the Sanders campaign showed in 2016, want to hear a progressive message.

However, they will not turn out if they do not think their vote matters and candidates do not give them the time of day.