GOP Showdown: Sen. Wadsack Nearly Overtakes Leach in Arizona Primary Countdown

Republican Sen. Justine Wadsack faces a tight reelection battle in Legislative District 17, trailing Vince Leach. Leach, who previously held the seat, leads by 911 votes out of 31,455 tallies as per the latest update around 1:05 a.m. Tuesday.

Only a few votes from Pinal County precincts were included in the tally. Votes from Election Day in Pinal County, including Leach’s stronghold of Saddlebrooke, remain largely uncounted. Leach secured 1,744 early votes from Pinal County, against Wadsack’s 1,173. The day-of vote split is 171-85 in Leach’s favor.

In Pima County, Leach narrowly leads with 11,001 early votes, just seven votes ahead of Wadsack’s 10,994. On Election Day, Leach garnered 3,267 votes compared to Wadsack’s 3,020. Pima County continues to count Election Day votes and pending vote-by-mail ballots, which are undergoing a signature-verification process.

Wadsack, in her first term, has been controversial due to her legislative proposals, including banning certain books and efforts targeting homeless populations. Leach’s campaign criticized Wadsack’s conduct, with the tagline, “There’s something weird about Justine Wadsack.”

Recently, reports surfaced of Wadsack avoiding a speeding ticket under “legislative immunity,” which led to the Fraternal Order of Police withdrawing their endorsement. This district includes areas like Saddlebrooke in Pinal County and parts of Pima County such as Oro Valley and Marana, boasting a 38 percent Republican, 29 percent Democratic, and 33 percent independent electorate.

The GOP-leaning district had a surprising Democratic performance in 2022. Democrats Mark Kelly, Katie Hobbs, and Adrian Fontes won in LD17 that year. Party strategists view Wadsack as one of the more extreme Republicans.

The winner will face Democratic candidate John McLean, a political newcomer and former executive in the Defense Department contracting sector. In the GOP primary for two LD 17 House seats, incumbents Cory McGarr and Rachel Jones are fending off Anna Orth.

In LD 21, incumbents Consuelo Hernandez and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton lead against challenger Breezy Ortega. Hernandez and Hamilton together hold a significant share of the vote. Ortega, a newcomer, has 27 percent.

This district covers central Tucson to southern Arizona communities including Nogales and Bisbee. With a 73 percent voter base in Pima County, it’s a Democratic stronghold.

Republican contender Christopher Kibbey is set to challenge in the primary.

In LD 16, Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez lead the GOP primary for House seats, with Rob Hudelson and Gabby Mercer trailing. Democrat Rep. Keith Seaman will face the winners in a district where 32 percent of voters are Republican, 29 percent Democrat, and 39 percent independent.

Most voters in LD 16 reside in Pinal County, with a minority in Pima County.

In LD 23, Democratic candidates Mariana Sandoval and Matias Rosales lead the primary for two House seats, ahead of James “Jimmy” Holmes. They will face Republican Michele Peña in a district aiming for representation balance.

In the LD 23 Senate race, incumbent Brian Fernandez has a commanding lead over Jesus Lugo Jr. Fernandez will challenge Republican Michelle Altherr. Democrats hold majority registration but the 41 percent independent voters could influence the election outcome.

LD 23 includes 47 percent of voters from Yuma County, with the rest split between rural Maricopa and western Pima County.

This mixed representation could make the district a focal point in the fight for control of the Arizona House of Representatives.