Christy Outpaces Competitors to Secure Pima County Board of Supervisors Seat by 3,109 Votes

Republican Supervisor Steve Christy has gained a significant edge over Democratic challenger Vanessa Bechtol, as the latest Pima County election results reveal a 3,109-vote lead for Christy on Sunday. His total stands at 53,721 votes compared to Bechtol’s 50,612, marking a 3 percentage point advantage.

While the counting process continues, about 79,442 ballots remain to be tallied across Pima County. The most recent data indicates a total of 445,287 ballots counted so far, reflecting a voter turnout of 67 percent. Initially trailing in the election’s early returns, Christy’s momentum has shifted positively since. His vote count increased from a 1,323-vote margin on Thursday to 2,208 on Friday and then 3,045 on Saturday.

Pima County’s District 4, where this tightly contested race is unfolding, includes areas such as Tucson’s East Side, Mount Lemmon, and Saguaro National Park East. The district has a Republican registration advantage, with 36 percent of voters identifying as Republicans, 31 percent as Democrats, and 33 percent as independents. Despite this, Democrats saw Christy as a potential target, particularly following victories by prominent figures like Gov. Katie Hobbs in the district during the 2022 elections.

County officials project that all ballots will be counted by early next week, with expectations for continuing tabulations on Veterans Day. There are still approximately 3,025 early ballots pending a signature verification process and 7,618 provisional ballots that may not be counted. Voters had until Sunday to resolve any issues regarding their ballots.

A hand-count audit conducted on Saturday confirmed that the results fell within legal limits, with representatives from various political parties involved in the review. In other races for the Board of Supervisors, Democrats are expected to maintain their leads, including incumbent Rex Scott in District 1, who has declared victory over Republican Steve Spain.

Scott announced on Friday that he felt honored and grateful for the support of the voters, stating he would represent all constituents. He currently holds 54 percent of the vote, leading Spain by 9,394 votes.

In District 2, Democratic incumbent Matt Heinz garnered 62 percent of the vote against Republican challenger John D. Backer. Heinz expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving his community. Backer, however, remains hesitant to concede.

Over in District 3, Democrat Jen Allen leads with 53 percent of the vote against Republican Janet “JL” Wittenbraker, who has 43 percent. Allen has voiced confidence in her position, aligning her campaign with progressive values and community needs.

District 5 also sees Democratic Supervisor Adelita Grijalva leading significantly with 74 percent of the vote against independent Val Romero, indicating strong support from the community. Grijalva noted her confidence in the results, while Romero acknowledged the typical challenges faced by challengers in this district.

The preliminary results underscore a complex political landscape in Pima County, with implications for future governance as ballot counting continues. As election officials work diligently on the remaining ballots, the outcome for some races remains uncertain, setting the stage for potential shifts in local leadership.