AZ Midterm Election Update 11-09-2022

Polling locations around Arizona were busy yesterday, as many voters turned out to vote in person on Election Day. Problems with Maricopa County’s ballot tabulation systems caused some delays, though a judge ruled that the hiccups did not prevent anyone from voting and denied Republicans’ efforts to force the polls to stay open late last night. Election officials found a fix for the technical glitch and said the issue will not prevent any votes from being counted.

As expected, the counting continues, and the final outcome of key races will take time. Initial results posted after the polls closed showed Democrats with leads in many races, which was expected because of the higher rate of Democrat participation in early ballots tabulated before Election Day. The vote count tightened overnight as officials processed ballots cast at the polls, though, and many races remain too close to call.

In Congressional races, Senator Mark Kelly (D) is leading over Blake Masters (R) for the Arizona Senate seat. House incumbents Tom O’Halleran (D) and David Schweikert (R) are trailing behind their challengers, and Juan Ciscomani (R) just took the lead over Kristin Engel (D) for the Congressional District 6 seat. Other Congressional incumbents are leading in their race for another term in office.

Democrats are currently leading in statewide races for Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. Republican candidates lead in the races for State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Corporation Commission. Paul Marsh (R) was unchallenged for the role of State Mine Inspector.

Incumbents are currently holding onto their seats in legislative races, and Republicans appear likely to maintain a majority in the House and Senate. These races will determine which party controls the legislative chambers:

• In Legislative District 2, current Representative Steve Kaiser (R) has a narrow lead over Jeanne Casteen (D) for a Senate seat and incumbent Representatives Judy Schwiebert (D) and Justin Wilmeth (R) are leading in the race over Christian Lamar (R).
• In Legislative District 4, Senator Christine Marsh (D) is leading over Senator Nancy Barto (R). Laura Terech (D) and Matt Gress (R) are leading over former lawmaker Maria Syms (R) in the race for two House seats.
• In Legislative District 9, Eva Burch (D) holds a lead over Robert Scantlebury (R). (Scantlebury defeated Senator Tyler Pace (R) in the Primary Election.) In the House, Lorena Austin (D) and Seth Blattman (D) are ahead of Kathy Pearce (R) and Mary Ann Mendoza (R).
• In Legislative District 13, Senator J.D. Mesnard (R) has a growing lead over Cindy Hans (D). Current Representative Jennifer Pawlik (D) and Liz Harris (R) are ahead of Julie Willoughby (R) in the race for two House seats.
• In Legislative District 16, Senator T.J. Shope (R) leads Taylor Kerby (D). Incumbent Representative Teresa Martinez (R) and Rob Hudelson (R) lead over Keith Seaman (D) in the race for the House.
• In Legislative District 17, Justine Wadsack (R) just took the lead over Mike Nickerson (D) for the Senate seat. (Wadsack defeated Senator Vince Leach (R) in the Primary Election.) Rachel Jones (R) and Cory McGarr (R) hold a narrow lead over Dana Allmond (D) and Brian Radford (D).
• In Legislative District 22, where all candidates were write-in candidates for this election, Democrats appear likely to hold onto the seat – Eva Diaz (D) is far ahead of the 10 other write-in candidates.
• In Legislative District 23, Mariana Sandoval (D) and Michele Pena (R) are ahead of Jesus Lugo, Jr. (D) for two House seats. Pena’s current success is surprising – she was a write-in candidate in the Primary Election and Democrats have a solid voting majority in the district.

Ballot measures have mixed success so far, but voters have signaled strong support for proposals to:

• Limit citizen initiatives to a single subject (Proposition 129).
• Grant a property tax exemption to veterans with disabilities (Proposition 130).
• Create the office of Lieutenant Governor (Proposition 131).
• Alter debt collection laws (Proposition 209).
• Amend campaign finance laws (Proposition 211).

Additional results will be posted here as county officials process the remaining ballots.