Allen Triumphs in Heated 4-Way Battle for Pima County Board of Supervisors Seat

Democrat Jen Allen is leading the Democratic primary for the open District 3 seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

Allen secured 54 percent of the vote in results reported Tuesday night, surpassing Edgar Soto who garnered 19 percent, April Hiosik Ignacio with 15 percent, and Miguel Cuevas who received 11 percent.

“We did everything we wanted to do,” Allen remarked. “We exceeded our own expectations. We had tremendous support from volunteers. We have more than 75 volunteers and 550 donors. We knocked on nearly 12,000 doors, reaching over 14,000 voters. The diversity of this district makes this seat challenging and fulfilling.”

Allen, with endorsements from U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, and Jane Fonda, had out-fundraised all her challengers. District 3 had been held by Democrat Sharon Bronson since 1996 until her recent resignation due to injury. The board appointed Sylvia Lee, who did not seek the seat this year.

Allen will face Republican Janet Wittenbraker, who secured 32 percent of the vote in her political debut against Tucson Mayor Regina Romero last year, and independent candidate Iman-Uptopia Layjou in the general election on Nov. 5.

District 3 includes Midtown Tucson, Marana, and rural communities such as Three Points, Arivaca, Ajo, and Lukeville. It is also home to the Tohono O’odham Nation and several federal lands.

In District 3, 36 percent of voters are registered Democrats, 28 percent are Republicans, and 36 percent are not affiliated with either major party.

Tuesday night’s vote numbers include early ballots. Pima County is still counting Election Day votes and any remaining vote-by-mail ballots.

In District 2, John Backer leads Beatrice Cory Stephens, 62-38, in the Republican primary to challenge Democratic incumbent Supervisor Matt Heinz. Stephens, in her first run for office, was motivated by frustrations over COVID-19 restrictions. Backer, who previously ran for the Board of Supervisors in GOP primaries but lost, is now competing in the redistricted area.

District 2 stretches from Midtown Tucson to Sahuarita, with 41 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 22 percent as Republicans, and 37 percent unaffiliated.

In District 1, Democratic Supervisor Rex Scott is leading primary challenger Jake Martin with 67 percent of the vote. Martin, a college student and nonprofit founder, ran a low-budget campaign against Scott. Scott, the first Democrat to win this district since 1972, expressed gratitude for being chosen as the party’s nominee again.

Scott will now face Republican Steve Spain, who narrowly lost the District 1 seat by 730 votes in 2020. Redistricting has made the area more favorable for Democrats.

For Pima County Treasurer, Democrat Brian Johnson is leading the primary race against Sami Hamed with 61 percent of the vote. Johnson, a 14-year county employee, had previously run for county assessor. The winner will face Republican incumbent Treasurer Chris Ackerley, who was appointed to the position earlier this year.