Midterm Election Coverage
Corporation Commissioner. Two seats up for grabs among four candidates: Republicans Rodney Glassman & Justin Olson, and Democrats Sandra Kennedy & Kiana Maria Sears. Returns show both Republican candidates with the edge.
Superintendent of Public Instruction. Republican Frank Riggs, a former California congressman and teacher Kathy Hoffman (D) appear to be in a race to close to call, with Riggs at 50.2% and a slim 6,720 votes lead to Hoffman’s 49.8%.
Phoenix Mayor. Kate Gallego, Moses Sanchez, Nicholas Sarwark, and Daniel Valenzuela battled it out, with Gallego currently crushing Valenzuela by a whopping 44 percent to 26 percent. Still, a runoff might be unavoidable. Stay tuned on this one! Get more on the election here:
Scottsdale City Council. It was a race for three council seats among Scottsdale City Council candidates that included incumbents Kathy Littlefield*, Linda Milhaven* and David Smith and challengers Bill Crawford and Solange Whitehead* — *asterisks* denote the leaders.
Mesa City Council. Jake Brown, Jen Duff, Francisco Heredia, Mark Yarbrough were vying for two council seats. At last check, Duff leads Brown by less than 200 votes, while Heredia vs. Yarbrough is way too close to call! They’re at 50 percent a piece with a separation of only 31 votes in favor of Heredia!
Peoria City Council. Vicki Hunt leads Brittany Burback for the seat in a seat in Acacia District.
Surprise City Council. In this runoff, an electoral remnant from the August primary, Roland F. Winters has a comfortable lead over challenger Jim Cunningham and appears headed to another term.
Surprise Mayor Sharon Wolcott resigning from office. Not an election result, but related and important enough to mention. AZCentral is reporting that Surprise Mayor Sharon Wolcott has announced her resignation, effective November 16. “In an advance interview with The Arizona Republic, Wolcott said she is newly married and hoping to spend more time with her husband and travel.” Read more about her step down here:
El Mirage Mayor. Political newcomer Alexis Hermosillo holds a lead over Mayor Lana Mook.
Flagstaff City Council. Six candidates — Austan Aslan, Paul Deasy, Dennis Lavin, Alex Martinez, Regina Salas and Austin Shimoni. Three seats — two go to Asian and Austin — one still up for grabs between Deasy and Salas.
Flagstaff Mayor. Incumbent Coral Evans barely squeaked out a victory. Kidding. She ran unopposed and will serve a second term.
Navajo Nation president. Jonathan Nez has opened up a sizable lead over Joe Shirley Jr.
Scottsdale Proposition 420. YES votes have it — on the anti-‘Desert EDGE’ proposition that would require voter approval to alter the natural state of preserve lands.
Scottsdale road improvement tax increase. Voters apparently want transportation improvement projects, approving what amounts to a one penny tax on every $10 purchase in order to make ’em happen.
Mesa Home Rule. Will Mesa get to set its own budget? The request to renew an override of the state expenditure limit under the ‘home rule’ option, The Republic reports that the YAYs have it, 57 percent to 43 percent.
Mesa fire and police facility bond issue. Should there be a sales tax increase to build new facilities? YES is the answer from voters, 59 percent to 41 percent.
Mesa parks and recreation. More athletic fields and parks along with associated amenities, not to mention library improvements, all to the tune of $111 million? Bring ‘em on, say voters.
Mesa soccer complex bond issue. Voters are currently saying NO to this request to build the youth sports complex, Mesa Plays.
Mesa hotel bed tax. From 5 percent to 6 percent, to help fund Mesa Plays? Very close, but, alas, the NAYs have it, 51 percent to 49 percent.
Gilbert fire and police facility bonds. Voters have approved taxes to fund the construction of a fire and police public safety training facility.
Pima County: Prop 463. If approved, nearly half-a-billion bucks would have been used to fix roads across the county. That’s not going to happen, as voters soundly rejected it.
Arizona Supreme Court. Voters overwhelmingly approved keeping Justices John Pelander and Clint Bolick on the bench.
