Christy Strengthens Grip on Pima County Board of Supervisors Race

Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy has extended his lead over Democrat Vanessa Bechtol as the latest vote count reflects a shift since Election Night. As of Friday evening, Christy led by 2,208 votes.

Despite this lead, a significant number of ballots remain uncounted, including those submitted at polling places or via mail in the election’s final days. Approximately 120,907 ballots still need to be processed, though not all are from District 4.

The continuing count means the race is still too close to call. Democrats will retain control of the Pima County Board of Supervisors for the next four years, with uncertainty around the presence of a single Republican on the board. Both candidates stated it is premature to comment on the results.

District 4 encompasses areas of Tucson’s East Side, Mount Lemmon, Vail, and Saguaro National Park East. Voter registration in the district shows a Republican lean, with 36% registered as Republicans, 31% as Democrats, and 33% unaffiliated.

Democratic strategists, however, noted Christy’s vulnerability after Democrats secured victories in the district in 2022.

County officials are expected to continue the ballot counting through the weekend, with a deadline of Sunday for voters to “cure” problematic ballots. Early ballots undergo a specific signature verification process before being sent to the Elections Department.

Turning to other races, Democratic incumbents have maintained substantial leads over their opponents. As of Wednesday afternoon, four of the five Democrats on the ballot reported significant advantages but are awaiting further counts before declaring victories.

In District 1, incumbent Democrat Rex Scott announced his victory against Republican challenger Steve Spain. He expressed gratitude for being re-elected to a second term, emphasizing the clear choice voters had between the candidates.

Scott secured 55% of the vote, with a lead of 9,076 votes. This was a rematch of their 2020 contest, where Scott previously emerged victorious by a narrow margin.

The demographics in District 1 show it as a swing district, with 35% registered Democrats, 33% Republicans, and 32% unaffiliated voters.

In District 2, Democratic incumbent Matt Heinz has garnered 62% of the vote versus Republican John D. Backer. Heinz expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve further, reflecting the district’s Democratic inclinations, with 41% registered as Democrats.

Backer, however, remains cautious and has yet to concede, opting to wait for the final vote counts.

District 3 features Democrat Jen Allen leading Republican Janet “JL” Wittenbraker, with 54% of the vote. Allen plans to address critical local issues during her tenure, reflecting her commitment to her constituents’ needs.

Wittenbraker, making her political debut, maintains that it is too early to assess the race’s outcome and emphasizes a need for unity among Americans.

Lastly, in District 5, Democratic Supervisor Adelita Grijalva leads with an impressive 74% of the vote against independent challenger Val Romero. Grijalva feels confident in her re-election, reflecting the heavy Democratic presence in the district.

The election results underscore various dynamics within Pima County’s political landscape, with implications for future governance in the area.