LD17: GOP’s Leach Surges Ahead with 1,586-Vote Lead Over Dem McLean in Arizona Senate Showdown

In Arizona’s Legislative District 17, the race for the state Senate is heating up as Republican Vince Leach takes a commanding lead over Democrat John McLean. As of the latest updates, Leach boasts a 1,586-vote advantage, having garnered 70,551 total votes against McLean’s 68,965.

Leach’s resurgence follows a challenging 2022 primary season where he was ousted by current Senator Justine Wadsack. This year, he successfully regained his position by defeating Wadsack in the GOP primary. McLean, on the other hand, is new to the political arena, previously serving as CEO of a local defense contractor.

In contrast, Democrat Kevin Volk is leading the race for two House seats against Republican incumbents Cory McGarr and Rachel Jones. Volk currently has 35 percent of the vote, while Jones and McGarr trail at 33 and 32 percent, respectively. His lead over McGarr stands at 5,510 votes.

Despite a robust Republican majority in the district, Democrats have focused resources here, noting previous successes in the area. Notably, Democratic figures like Mark Kelly and Katie Hobbs won LD17 in past elections, indicating a potential shift in voter sentiment.

“We put in a hell of an effort,” Volk remarked during the Democratic Party’s election night gathering at Hotel Congress. “It’s going to be a close race. We just need to allow more time for an accurate count.”

The counting process remains active, with Pima County having processed 461,088 ballots by Monday evening, yet still with an estimated 62,915 votes left to tally. This includes 2,566 ballots pending signature verification and 7,666 provisional ballots that may face disqualification. Conversely, Pinal County reports 209,921 ballots counted, also with 4,023 outstanding ballots yet to be processed.

In the broader context of Legislative Districts 16 and 23, Democrats face challenges as well. In District 16, Democratic Rep. Keith Seaman trails Republican Chris Lopez by 3,577 votes. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. T.J. Shope leads against Stacey Seaman, with 56 percent of the vote.

District 23, conversely, presents a tough battleground for Democrats. Republican Michele Peña is ahead in the race for House seats, capturing 31,600 votes compared to Democrats Mariana Sandoval and Matias Rosales, who hold 29,336 and 27,582 votes, respectively.

Election officials are diligently working to verify the remaining votes in anticipation of finalizing results this week. As the state waits for the last numbers to come in, the outcome in LD17 and surrounding districts remains crucial for the balance of power in Arizona’s legislature.