Few surprises in state, local primary elections

Connection photo
Democrat Elaine Bohlmeyer, who ran unopposed in the primary, casts her vote.

By Matt Brabb
Connection Editor

Few surprises emerged from the results of electoral primaries held in Arizona on Tuesday, August 24.

John McCain easily fought off challenges from former Congressman J.D. Hayworth and Tea Party favorite Jim Deakin, while incumbent Governor Jan Brewer easily won her race in the Republican primary for governor.

Brewer will face former Phoenix mayor and current state Attorney General Terry Goddard in the general election in November. McCain will face Democrat Rodney Glassman, who came out on top in the Democratic primary.

The closest race of the evening was between Tom Horne and Andrew Thomas, both seeking the Republican nomination for state attorney general. Thomas was maintaining a slim lead, but the race was too close to call.

It appears that Flagstaff dentist Paul Gosar will emerge on top of a crowded field of seven GOP candidates to win the right to challenge Democrat incumbent Ann Kirkpatrick for Arizona’s first U.S. congressional seat.

At press time, in Arizona’s state congressional legislative district five (LD5) race, incumbent Senator Sylvia Allen was leading four-term state representative Bill Konopnicki by some eight percentage points. She is likely to face Democrat Elaine Bohlmeyer in November. Bohlmeyer ran unopposed in her primary.

Republicans Brenda Barton and Chester Crandell appear headed for a contest against Democrats Bill Shumway and Prescott Winslow for the two open seats to represent LD5 in the State House of Representatives.

In Gila County, Colt White handily defeated three other challengers for the position of county constable. Because there were no Democratic candidates, he will automatically advance in the general election in November, and become the next constable of Gila County.