Maricopa County Primary Election: What To Know For Nov. 3

PHOENIX — Tuesday was primary election night in Maricopa County and, despite a few upsets and one tight race, there weren’t many surprises in the results. Here’s what you need to know as Arizona heads into the November election.

The biggest race of the night was the GOP primary for the U.S. Senate between Sen. Martha McSally and her challenger, Daniel McCarthy, a Scottsdale businessman. McSally dominated the ballot with 77 percent of the vote and will go on to face Democratic challenger Mark Kelly in November. Kelly, a former astronaut, ran unopposed and won his party’s nomination on Tuesday as well.

One race that has yet to be called is the battle for the GOP nomination for Maricopa County Sheriff. Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff who was ousted from his job in 2016, is vying for the position once again. But he faced three other challengers in a tight race, including his former deputy chief Jerry Sheridan. Arpaio is currently trailing Sheridan by less than 600 votes.

Elsewhere, Rep. David Schweikert, R-Fountain Hills, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, and Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, all clinched their party nominations and will be on the November ballot. In the case of Schweikert, he will face Democrat Hiral Tipirneni after she defeated three other challengers in her primary; Tipirneni has been outfundraising Schweikert amid his recent ethics investigation.

There were a few surprises in the state legislature. Scottsdale state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita defeated attorney Alex Kolodin in the LD23 Republican primary after being hounded by allegations of sexual harassment. Ugenti-Rita and her husband were accused of sending explicit pictures to a female lobbyist, which she has denied.

The next election will take place on Nov. 3. You must be registered to vote at least 29 days prior to the election in Maricopa County. The deadline to request an early mail-in ballot is 11 days before election day. Early ballots can also be turned in to a polling place on Nov. 3 to be counted but must be received by 7 p.m. on that day.

For more information, visit the Maricopa County Recorder’s website.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.