Arizona could be a spoiler on the road to 270

The Libertarian Party nominee's best chance to influence the presidential race may come in Arizona, where the former New Mexico governor appeals to a group of finicky conservatives who make up part of the GOP base.

Donald Trump has managed to make this an interesting state in terms of presidential politics, and not in the way that Republicans have wanted.

About a dozen of the most contested states will help determine which candidate gets the 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

In Arizona, where the Republican nominee has carried the state in 11 of the past 12 presidential elections, Johnson could play the spoiler, potentially putting 11 electoral votes in Clinton's column.

About one-third of the state's population identifies as Latino, but their share of the vote ranges between 12 percent and 16 percent, according to public and private polling.

Republican Dave Richins, a councilman in Mesa City, said Johnson is conservative on spending, but tolerant on social issues, which he calls "a pragmatic combination."

At the beginning of August, Johnson's campaign had $1.2 million after raising $1.6 million in July, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

Since Aug. 1, he's raised more than $3 million, according to his campaign.