Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, who lost to Justine Wadsack in the primary, has challenged her residency, and a hearing was scheduled Wednesday
By MARK COWLING || Pinal Central
Pinal County officials are responding to at least three different legal issues stemming from the Aug. 2 primary election, the Board of Supervisors was told Wednesday.
State Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, who lost a primary challenge, is asking that because there is no Democratic challenger that his candidacy continue to the general election in November, County Attorney Kent Volkmer said. But the law does not allow that, and the county has filed a motion to dismiss, which is scheduled to be heard Thursday afternoon in Pinal Superior Court.
Volkmer continued that state Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, who lost to Justine Wadsack in the primary, has challenged her residency, and a hearing was scheduled Wednesday.
Pinal Elections Director Virginia Ross said she received a court order Tuesday for a recount for the city of Coolidge. The votes for three City Council candidates will be recounted to determine which two will advance to the general election in November.
Volkmer clarified that the elections expert hired last week to conduct an administrative review “is not acting in any official capacity as an elections director. … I just want to make it abundantly clear, he is an expert coming in as a consultant. He has a history of being an elections director, but that’s not what we are using him for.”
Volkmer said the board was aware of this, but he wanted to clear up any misconceptions among the public. Vice Chairman Jeff Serdy, R-Apache Junction, asked how the information will be released.
Volkmer said he would like to receive a report in 30 days, but realistically it could take 45 to 60 days. He said the board will receive a written report, and the board will decide how much to release to the public. The board will also discuss if there are additional issues that need investigation, Volkmer said.
