Christy Clinches Victory in Pima County Board of Supervisors Race with 3,000-Vote Lead

Republican Supervisor Steve Christy has secured a significant lead over Democratic challenger Vanessa Bechtol, as recent election results indicate a 3,035 vote advantage for the incumbent. Despite dominating other county races, Democrats have been unable to close this gap. As of Saturday evening, Pima County officials reported that 97,918 ballots remain to be counted, though not all of these belong to District 4.

Early returns on election night initially showed Christy trailing, but his lead grew after updated counts revealed an increase of 2,208 votes by Friday evening. Christy’s resurgence in the polls was marked by a jump of 1,323 votes on Thursday and a gain of 1,170 on Wednesday. District 4, which encompasses areas including Tucson’s East Side and Saguaro National Park, exhibits a Republican-leaning voter base, with 36% registered as Republicans, 31% as Democrats, and 33% unaffiliated.

Despite this Republican advantage, Democratic strategists had considered Christy a target, given past successes by Democratic candidates like Gov. Katie Hobbs and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly in the district during the previous election cycle. Pima County officials anticipate completing the ballot tabulation by early next week, continuing efforts throughout the weekend and on Veterans Day. Voters with ballot issues face a Sunday deadline to correct any discrepancies.

In District 1, incumbent Democrat Rex Scott has declared victory over GOP challenger Steve Spain, securing approximately 54% of the vote. Scott expressed gratitude to his supporters and acknowledged the democratic process navigated by Spain. This rematch of their 2020 contest shows Scott currently leading by 8,986 votes, reflecting a strong support base in a district that has seen fluctuating political leanings.

District 2’s Democratic incumbent Matt Heinz appears well positioned for reelection, capturing 62% of the vote against Republican challenger John D. Backer. Heinz conveyed his appreciation for continued community support. Backer, however, has not conceded yet, suggesting he will await complete results before making further remarks.

Meanwhile, in the race for District 3, Democrat Jen Allen holds a slight edge with 53% of the votes against Republican Janet “JL” Wittenbraker. Allen’s focus has been on community engagement and addressing issues affecting working families and sustainability. Wittenbraker remains cautious about declaring the outcome, emphasizing her commitment to a civil political environment.

Finally, in District 5, Democratic Supervisor Adelita Grijalva is comfortably ahead with 74% of the votes against independent challenger Val Romero. While Grijalva expresses confidence in her victory, Romero acknowledges that his results align with typical percentages observed for challengers in the district. Grijalva’s political experience and familial ties to U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva potentially bolster her prominence in this heavily Democratic area.