Election Shocker: Borrelli Ends Johnson’s Reign on Board of Supervisors

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story will continue to be updated throughout the night as ballots are counted Tuesday night, with the final update at midnight.

LAKE HAVASU CITY — The long-standing tenure of Buster Johnson on the Mohave County Board of Supervisors appears to be concluding. First elected in 1996, Johnson conceded his Republican primary race to Arizona State Senator Sonny Borrelli shortly after the polls closed Tuesday evening.

Borrelli, restricted by term limits from running for the Senate again, opted to vie for the District 3 seat on the board, now a five-member panel representing Lake Havasu City. Early results from the Mohave County elections department showed Borrelli leading significantly, with 3,523 votes (68%) compared to Johnson’s 1,613 votes (32%).

“Obviously, I’m pleased with the early returns,” Borrelli stated, expressing gratitude for Johnson’s congratulatory text message. Borrelli highlighted their clean campaigns, emphasizing how positive campaigning should be a standard.

For Borrelli, a veteran, this win is another opportunity to serve his community. “This is not about me. It’s about service — another opportunity to serve Mohave County and constituents here in Lake Havasu,” he said.

Johnson acknowledged Borrelli’s insurmountable lead and reflected positively on his time in office. “Serving as supervisor was an enjoyable time, and I hope I did some good for the county while I was in there,” he remarked.

Borrelli will face Democrat Paul Smith in the November general election for the District 3 seat.

Meanwhile, incumbents Cameron Moses and Nancy Campbell were gearing up to retain their positions on the Lake Havasu City Council. Campbell led the seven-candidate race with 5,301 votes, followed by David Diaz with 4,183 votes and Moses with 3,764 votes. Any positions not filled in the primary will be determined in a run-off in November.

In District 1, incumbent Travis Lingenfelter held a narrow lead over Shawn Meisner, 1,795 to 1,413, with the winner set to face Democrat Catherine Wright in November.

Eight candidates competed in District 4 for the GOP nomination to replace Jean Bishop. Don Martin led with 869 votes, followed by Jennifer Esposito with 684 and Marianne Salem with 670. The winner will compete against Democrat Lisa Packard and independent Wayne Hollins in November.

With Hildy Angius stepping down, District 2 had Bullhead City Councilmembers Rich Lettman and Grace Hecht, and Scotty McClure competing. Lettman held a slight lead with 1,404 votes over Hecht’s 1,278.

In District 5, incumbent Ron Gould led the GOP primary with 3,382 votes, while Catherine Lopez-Rajaniemi had 992 and Christopher Morgan had 704. The winner will face Democrat Brian McMahan in the general election.

Hildy Angius appeared poised for the Arizona Senate nomination, leading with 11,232 votes over Ashley Gerich and Kimberly Zanon. The GOP winner will compete against Democrat J’Amie MorgAine in November.

Other county races saw Sheriff Doug Schuster leading significantly over Mike Gannuscio, Jeanne Kentch holding a small lead in the assessor’s race, and John Warren leading the superintendent of schools race to replace Mike File.