Registered Arizona voters went to the polls on Aug. 28 to select their Republican and Democratic nominees for key races this November.
Closely followed races included the race for governor, where current Governor Doug Ducey ran again, a senator to replace Jeff Flake’s seat, and in Arizona’s Second Congressional District, where Representative Martha McSally vacated her seat to run for senator.
The following are the winners of key Republican and Democratic races, as well as a summary of their platforms.
Republican Governor Candidate – Doug Ducey
While campaigning for re-election, Ducey planned to tout Arizona’s growing economy, balanced budget and lowered taxes. During his first term, Ducey increased funding to fight the opioid epidemic, cleared the backlog of child safety cases in the state and worked to secure Arizona’s southern border. Ducey has promised to increase funding for Arizona schools without increasing taxes.
Democratic Governor Candidate – David Garcia
Throughout his career in academia and government, David Garcia studied Arizona’s education system, and his campaign put quality education for all Arizonans at its core. Garcia’s website said he plans to protect immigrants and women while rooting out corruption and investing in a more equitable economy focused on new technology and clean energy.
Republican Senatorial Candidate – Martha McSally
Martha McSally, who served as a representative in the second district of Arizona, ran for senator on platforms which included funding border security and fighting against gun restrictions. McSally is a supporter of border-wall construction. Before she was in politics, she served in the Air Force and was deployed to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Democratic Senatorial Candidate – Kyrsten Sinema
Kyrsten Sinema based her platform on her experience of growing up in poverty, according to her campaign video. She worked to pass “tough” immigration laws, get funding for veterans and fight against cuts in education funding and healthcare for children and elderly, according to her website.
First Congressional District: This district encompasses areas north of Tucson including Oro Valley and parts of Marana. It is the largest congressional district in the state.
Republican Candidate – Wendy Rogers
Like McSally, Wendy Rogers also served in the Air Force before beginning her political career. According to her website, she supports gun rights, stopping tax dollars from funding abortion organizations and “preserving traditional marriage” between a man and a woman.
Democratic Candidate – Tom O’Halleran
Tom O’Halleran, who ran unopposed, supports investment in education, including elementary schooling and making higher education more accessible. He also supports the expansion of healthcare access, especially in rural areas, and improving VA services for veterans, according to his website.
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Second Congressional District: The district includes portions of Eastern Tucson as well as parts of Cochise county. It was most previously held by Martha McSally, who is running for the senate seat vacated by Jeff Flake.
Republican Candidate – Lea Marquez Peterson
Márquez Peterson has served as the president and CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce since 2009. Her platform includes empowering businesses to grow the economy, securing the border, balancing the national budget and helping veterans integrate into civilian life, according to her website.
Democratic Candidate – Ann Kirkpatrick
A former U.S. representative, Ann Kirkpatrick looked to rejoin the House after a failed bid to defeat Senator John McCain in 2016. According to her website, Kirkpatrick promised to improve the education system, protect Arizona farmland, pay down the national debt and protect Social Security and Medicare.
Third Congressional District: This district includes portions of Tucson including the UA campus and stretches south to Santa Cruz county.
Republican Candidate – Nicolas Pierson
A Nogales native, Pierson grew up with his Mexican relatives on both sides of the US and Mexican border and has worked as a finical advisor. Pierson has promised to protect Arizona’s Southern border and work to solve immigration. As a congressman, Pierson would seek to expand local youth and community programs as well as opportunities for vocational training.
Democratic Candidate – Raul Grijalva
Grijalva has served in the House of Representatives since 2002 after starting his political career as a community organizer in Tucson. In Congress, Grijalva has supported campaign finance reform, expanding social security, ‘Medicare for all’, raising the federal minimum wage, and immigration reform. Grijalva plans to protect tribal and LGBTQ rights as well as Arizona’s national parks.
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