Mohave County Icon Unseated: Buster Johnson Falls to Sonny Borrelli in GOP Primary

LAKE HAVASU CITY — Buster Johnson’s long-standing role on the Mohave County Board of Supervisors is nearing its conclusion.

Having first been elected in 1996 to the then three-member panel, Johnson conceded his Republican primary race to Arizona State Senator Sonny Borrelli shortly after polls closed on Tuesday.

Borrelli, restricted by term limits from running for Senate again, opted to pursue the District 3 seat on the now five-member board, which represents Lake Havasu City.

Early results just an hour after polls closed showed Borrelli leading by a significant margin of 2-1, a lead that continued to expand as the night progressed.

“Obviously, I’m pleased with the early returns and I just got a text from Buster saying congratulations and I’m very thankful,” Borrelli stated. “I think we both ran honorable, clean, positive elections, talking about our strong points either way. I thought that was great and that we should be examples; this is how you should campaign, to be positive.”

As a veteran, Borrelli views this as another chance to serve his community.

“I’m always humbled to be elected to things,” he said. “But this is not about me. It’s about service — another opportunity to serve Mohave County and constituents here in Lake Havasu.”

Johnson acknowledged that Borrelli’s lead was likely unbeatable.

“It looks like Sonny Borrelli won the supervisor’s race,” he remarked.

As of 11 p.m., Borrelli had garnered 4,663 votes, translating to 69.3%, while Johnson had obtained 2,065 votes, or 30.7%.

Reflecting on his tenure, Johnson expressed, “Serving as supervisor was an enjoyable time and I hope I did some good for the county while I was in there.”

Borrelli will compete against Democrat Paul Smith in the November general election for the District 3 seat on the board in Kingman.