To some, Phoenix could be considered a center-left city, but Arizona is definitely not seen as a center-left state.

That hasn’t stopped Netroots Nation from holding its annual conference in the Valley, starting Thursday. Netroots Nation is a gathering of online and professional activists and organizers from the progressive side of the aisle.

Joel Silberman, a Vice-Chair of Netroots Nation’s Education Foundation, said the group is enthusiastic about being in Phoenix.