By Kevin Curran / NewsChannel 3 Editor

Maricopa County voters will elect candidates in six county-wide offices as well as all five members of the Board of Supervisors. There are Democratic candidates in only three of these races. The latest available voter figures show more than 590,000 registered Republicans in the county compared to 417,000 registered Democrats and 9800 registered Libertarians. There are also almost 312,000 registered independents.

Maricopa Assessor

In what might be this year's example of best timing, property appraiser Keith Russell is challenging Republican incumbent Kevin Ross. Ross was recently indicted on felony charges accusing him of using confidential information for private gain. There are no Democratic candidates, so the winner gets the office.

Maricopa Sheriff

Joe Arpaio first got the job in 1992 by defeating the incumbent in a GOP primary. This year, he faces former Mesa police commander Dan Saban in the primary. Sen John McCain and much of the Maricopa County Republican establishment have endorsed Saban. These hardcore Republicans are upset with Arpaio's perceived endorsement of Democrat Janet Napolitano in the 2002 governor race. A coalition of law enforcement groups, including a union representing deputy sheriffs, has also endorsed Saban.

The winner of the primary faces Democrat Robert Ayala and independent W. Steven Martin in November.

Maricopa County Attorney

The retirement of Republican Rick Romley after 16 years in office has created spirited contests among both Democrats and Republicans for this high-profile job. Most of the eight candidates have worked in the county attorney's office at some point in their careers.

There are six Republican candidates. Jerry Landau has been on the county attorney's staff for 24 years and has Romley's endorsement. Andrew Thomas lost a 2002 bid for Attorney General. He is a prolific conservative writer. Mike Bailey worked in the county attorney's office for six years and is a former law professor. Andrew Pacheco worked in both the county and US Attorney's offices. Tom McCauley is another former prosecutor seeking the top spot. Rick Poster is also a former prosecutor who then became a defense attorney.

On the Democratic side, there are just two candidates for the nomination. Don Harris started his legal career at the county attorney's office almost 40 years ago and was actually the interim county attorney in 1976. Jonathan Warshaw was a Mesa police officer before getting his law degree and becoming a prosecutor. He is now in private practice.

County Recorder

Incumbent Republican Helen Purcell is unopposed in the primary and general elections.

County Treasurer

Two Republicans hope to succeeed retring incumbent Doug Todd. Former state legislator David Schweikert has been serving as chief deputy treasurer. Garry Ong is a Hong Kong native who came to Arizona 42 years ago and now owns four restaurants. There are no Democratic candidates.

County School Superintendent

Republican Sandra Dowling is unopposed in the primary and general elections.

Maricopa Supervisors

The only member of the board to face any kind of challenge, district 4 Republican incumbent Max Wilson meets George Bradbury in the primary. The winner will get the seat. Incumbents in the remaining four seats are unopposed in the primary and general elections. They are Republicans Fulton Brock in dist 1, Don Stapley in dist 2 and Andy Kunasek in dist 3 as well as Democrat Mary Rose Wilcox in dist 5.