By Camryn Sanchez || Arizona Capitol Times
A West Valley Senate race has gone from a sure win for an unopposed Democrat in the general election to a nine–person race of write-in candidates.
The Democrats in Legislative District 22 have been unsuccessful in narrowing the competition of their own party as the field has grown larger with Republicans. Democrats account for 36.3% of the voters in the West Valley district, compared to 17.3% of Republican voters. Independents and other parties account for 46% of registered voters.
The chaos began after former Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson, defeated fellow Democrat Rep. Richard Andrade, D-Glendale, in the August primary election, leaving Espinoza unopposed in the general. However, Espinoza dropped out of the race on September 2 to take a job as the senior government and community relations representative for the Salt River Project.
Espinoza’s name is on the ballot, so the write-in candidate who gets the most votes wins.
Three Republicans, an independent and five Democrats are currently running in District 22.
