Drought taking on much bigger role in Senate races than ever before

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - In a midterm campaign season dominated by inflation, abortion and crime, another hot button issue becoming more urgent in western states is drought.

The topic of water historically has played little to no role in campaign ads, but funding to fight drought is heavily increasing.

Two states specifically affected - Arizona and Nevada - are using drought to rally voters ahead of the midterm elections, amid severe water cuts.

Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema have negotiated $4 billion in last-minute funding to help address the region’s growing water crisis in the Inflation Reduction Act.

And with tight races in the state, the Colorado River basin cuts and last-minute relief funding will serve as a test of how influential access to water will be in deciding two of the most consequential senate races this cycle.