Christy Secures Victory in Pima County Board of Supervisors Reelection

In a closely watched local election, Republican Supervisor Steve Christy maintained a solid lead against Democratic challenger Vanessa Bechtol as Pima County continued to tally votes on Tuesday. The latest results reveal Christy ahead by 5,097 votes, with 58,791 votes compared to Bechtol’s 53,694, translating to a lead of over 4 percentage points.

Despite the substantial margin, Christy refrained from declaring victory, emphasizing the importance of awaiting complete results and a potential concession call from Bechtol. “Protocol calls for a concession call, and I want to give my opponent a chance,” he stated. Christy acknowledged the intense campaign efforts against him, noting that Bechtol had significant support from prominent Democrats and raised considerable funds.

“They definitely had me politically targeted as a way to get that uniformity on the board,” he explained, attributing his electoral success to being the lone Republican supervisor who can hinder the implementation of a countywide sales tax by Democrats.

With an estimated 42,228 ballots yet to be counted, it remains unlikely for Bechtol to stage a comeback, needing over 80% of the remaining votes to secure a victory. Historically, Christy has led since the first ballot updates on Election Day.

The total voter turnout for Pima County stands at 73%, with 481,807 ballots counted as of Tuesday. Although Christy initially lagged behind on election night, subsequent updates have shown a consistent upward trend for his campaign.

Pima County comprises various areas, including District 4, which covers parts of Tucson and other communities. The district is traditionally Republican, with voter registration showing 36% Republicans, 31% Democrats, and 33% unaffiliated. Nevertheless, recent statewide successes for Democrats, like those of Gov. Katie Hobbs and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly in 2022, sparked concerns over Christy’s vulnerabilities.

Meanwhile, in other District Supervisor races, Democrats have claimed significant victories. Incumbent Democrat Rex Scott declared victory in District 1, besting Republican Steve Spain with a robust 54% of the vote. Scott expressed gratitude and acknowledged the divisive nature of the election season while emphasizing the need for unity.

In District 2, Democratic incumbent Matt Heinz secured reelection with an impressive 62%, emphasizing his commitment to impactful programs such as the Pima Early Education Program Scholarships. Heinz described his role as rewarding and highlighted the importance of collective action in county governance.

Democratic candidate Jen Allen gained a competitive edge in District 3, leading with 53% against Republican Janet Wittenbraker’s 43%. Allen expressed confidence in her support base while addressing voters’ desires for compassionate policies and environmental accountability.

Lastly, District 5 saw Democratic Supervisor Adelita Grijalva achieve a commanding 74% against independent challenger Val Romero. Grijalva pledged to continue her work and maintain leadership within the board as it transitions to include newly elected members.

As the counting process continues, officials expect to finalize results this week, providing more clarity on the overall election landscape in Pima County.