LD14 GOP House Primary: Incumbent and Running Mate Dominate Race

In Legislative District 14, a recent scuffle at a GOP meeting is casting a shadow over the House race as preliminary voting results emerge. Current state Rep. Laurin Hendrix, R-Gilbert, holds a lead with close to 27% of the votes as of Tuesday at 8:50 p.m.

Khyl Powell, running alongside Hendrix and Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, is close behind with 23% of the votes. First-time candidate Andrew Jackson trails in third place with approximately 21%. Other candidates, Lalani Hunsaker and Joel Coen, have secured 18% and 10% of the votes, respectively.

This election has been marked by controversy involving Hunsaker’s family members. Hunsaker’s husband was charged with assault for allegedly headbutting LD14 GOP Chairman Andrew Adams at a Republican meeting on July 15. Her brother-in-law also faces charges of disorderly conduct and third-degree criminal trespass.

The altercation began after Hendrix mentioned a rumor linking Hunsaker’s son to the Gilbert Goons, a teenage gang implicated in violent activities, including the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord. Both Adams and Hendrix have stated they do not believe the rumor is credible.

Highlighting this rumor, Hendrix aimed to illustrate his restraint from using “attack pieces” during the campaign, a comment that infuriated the Hunsaker family present at the meeting.

Despite the controversy, Hunsaker has been the top fundraiser in the race, amassing over $130,000. Joel Coen follows distantly with over $51,000. Jackson, a community college educator and pastor, has raised slightly under $40,000, while both Hendrix and Powell have each garnered approximately $30,000.