Several key races declared in Arizona primary election, while some remain up for grabs

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — “First the good news. We’re way ahead,” said GOP gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson told supporters around 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday. But that was when she was up by 8 points over Kari Lake. As of 5:15 a.m. the morning after the primaries, Robson had lost her lead, with Lake in the lead at 46% followed by Robson’s 44%. So, the race is far from over. Experts say most of the in-person ballots are expected to go to Lake, and the race could get even closer. “We are going to win this,” Lake said, just minutes after Robson, at her own watch party.

The GOP nomination for Arizona governor is just one of a few major races in the state that no winner has been declared.

While the secretary of state race has been called for the GOP, Adrian Fontes has a 53% to 47% lead over Reginald Bolding for the Democratic nomination. “We felt good coming into tonight, and better now. But we will respect the process and wait for the numbers to come in,” Fontes said in a tweet. Bolding didn’t say how he was feeling. “Votes are still being counted, and we’re making sure that every Arizonan who cast a vote in this primary has their voice heard,” he tweeted.

Races called

Only a handful of races were called on Tuesday night, but more followed in the early morning hours on Wednesday. The main ones were Katie Hobbs for the Democratic nomination for governor, Blake Masters for the Republican nomination for the Senate, Rep. Mark Finchem for the Republican candidate for secretary of state, Kimberly Yee for the GOP nomination for state treasurer, and Rep. Paul Gosar in the Republican primary for U.S. House District 9. In U.S. House District 6, Juan Ciscomani won for the Republicans while Kirsten Engel won for the Democrats.

Wednesday morning, the AP projected that GOP Rep. David Schweikert will win the primary for U.S. House District 1, while Jevin Hodge was declared winner against Adam Metzendorf on the Democratic side. Hodge said in a statement he had a clear victory. “I’m honored to be the nominee and we’re ready to take the fight to David Schweikert. He’s a radical extremist out-of-step with the common-sense solutions Arizona families are looking for,” Hodge said in a statement.

In the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Blake Masters was declared winner with 39% of votes. Jim Lamon had 29% and Mark Brnovich had 18%. Masters addressed supporters just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, claiming victory. “Sorry to keep you waiting but it’s decisive at this point. We did it,” Masters said. “Thank you for your hard work, your support in making me your Republican nominee for the United States Senate.”

Eli Crane was declared winner for the Republicans in House District 2, while Kelly Cooper has a 30% lead in House District 4 for the GOP. The state Senate District 7 race has been called for Wendy Rodgers, 59% to 41% over Kelly Townsend for the Republican nomination. House Speaker Rusty Bowers was defeated in the state Senate District 10 race for the Republican nomination by David Farnsworth.

For the Republican nomination for state Attorney General, Abraham Hamadeh was declared the winner with 32% of the vote, defeating five other GOP candidates including Rodney Glassman and Andy Gould.

Tom Horne was declared winner for the GOP nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction, 43% to 32% over Shiry Sapir.

Overnight, Mark Finchem overtook Beau Lane, 41%-25%, landing the Republican nomination for Secretary of State.

There are other races that haven’t been officially called but the leader is likely to win. Joe Arpaio is facing a 466-point deficit to Ginny Dickey for Fountain Hills Mayor.

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