EJ Montini

opinion columnist

Dear America,

Welcome to our world, to Arizona, where “President-elect Donald Trump” was NOT a surprise.

Back in July 2015, I wrote a newspaper column that began:

“People who don't know any better are saying Donald Trump can't win the presidential election.

“In Arizona, we know that he can, because Arizonans already have elected Donald Trump — many times.”

This was not the work of a clairvoyant. I couldn’t predict what I’m having for dinner tonight (other than it will involve an adult beverage. Or two).

Everyone in Arizona knew Trump could win. Not because we could see America’s future but because we’ve witnessed Arizona’s past. We tried to warn you. You didn’t believe us.

Before Trump came Arpaio and Pearce

Trump isn’t an original. He’s an incarnation of several Arizona politicians, most recently and most obviously Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. But it didn’t start with him.

Ten years ago then-state Rep. Russell Pearce boasted to me about his suggestion that the U.S. government embark on a mass-deportation program of undocumented immigrants similar to one called "Operation Wetback" from the 1950s.

Pearce said, "The far left always tells you, 'Russell, you can't deport 12 million people.' I say, 'Yes, you can, if you have the will.' "

MONTINI:Trump revives Pearce's 'Operation Wetback'

Now, Trump confidant Newt Gingrich wants to bring back another 1950s disaster, the witch-hunting House Un-American Activities Committee.

Go back even further in Arizona, before Russell Pearce and Joe Arpaio, and you find Gov. Evan Mecham, who was all venom and conspiracy theories and — eventually — was impeached.

Like Pearce, like Arpaio, like Trump, Mecham ranted. He railed. He demonized. He plied fears.

And it worked. Just as it would for many other Arizona politicians. Not many years ago we got Arizona’s notorious anti-immigrant, anti-fairness, anti-everything Senate Bill 1070, which got former Gov. Jan Brewer (another big Trump supporter) elected.

That law actually was written by Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state … and now a member of Trump’s transition team.

Are you catching on, America?

Arizona knows: Speak to bias and you win

SB 1070 set loose Sheriff Arpaio. He’d made a career (first winning election in 1992) by way of outrageous claims and outrageous stunts, most of which had nothing to do with law enforcement. Or reality. To voters it didn't matter. When you speak to people’s biases, it works. When you reinforce their resentments, prejudices and anger, they vote for you.

Arpaio is not like Donald Trump. Arpaio is Donald Trump.

MONTINI:More proof Trump and Arpaio are the same person

Arizona is not like America. Arizona is America.

Arpaio was among Trump’s first nationally known supporters. Trump’s first big public rally was in Arizona. He shared the stage with Arpaio. And Trump borrowed heavily from Arpaio's playbook, making ridiculous claims about Latinos and promising to build a wall and have Mexico pay. And he won.

So, what’s next?

Well, in Arizona we also have learned that delusional demigods eventually go too far. They make mistakes. They get into trouble. It happened with Arpaio, who is facing a criminal contempt charge. (Will his friend Trump pardon him?)

Voters catch on. Although, there is good news and bad news in that.

The good news is that Arizonans saw through Arpaio’s dangerous façade and voted him out of office.

The bad news is it took us 24 years.