PHOENIX — Before we started taping this week’s AZ Political Podcast, I told my guest (who seemed worried about being underdressed), “I only wear a tie when pollsters are on the podcast.” While I have to admit that my alleged dress code was a fib, it’s no lie that Paul Bentz is a pollster — a heckuva pollster who works for a heckuva political firm: Highground.

Paul, who was named “best pollster” by the Arizona Capitol Times on three different occasions, helps me make sense of the last-minute polls that are seeming to pop up every five minutes.

We explore how much support Donald Trump has gained on Kamala Harris in Arizona over the last month — and why.

We also talk about Republican Kari Lake’s late surge in Arizona’s U.S. Senate race — and if she’s gained enough ground on Ruben Gallego (and if there’s enough time left for her) to make their race competitive at the finish line.

And, finally, Paul reveals the secret to making all those annoying political mailers, texts and phone calls magically disappear.

Honestly, that nugget alone makes it worth your while to watch the entirety of this week’s AZ Political Podcast.

AZ Political Podcast is available at KTAR.com, the KTAR News app and everywhere you get your podcasts.

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