Cázares-Kelly Projected To Win Pima County Recorder Race

TUCSON — With voting still underway in Arizona and Pima County, and many races still too close to call, at least one countywide race has a projected winner.

Democrat Gabriella Cázares-Kelly beat out Republican challenger Benny White to claim victory in the race for the Pima County Recorder's Office, according to unofficial vote counts. The position opened once Democrat F. Ann Rodriguez, who has had the job for 28 years, announced her decision to retire after the 2020 election.

Cázares-Kelly earned 261,986 votes, compared to White's 175,041.

In a video message to supporters on Election Night, Cázares-Kelly spoke about what set her campaign apart from the political establishment.

"We talked about equity, about centering Black, Brown, and Indigenous people in the conversation," she said, according to a news release. "We talked about representation and community needs. Nothing for us, without us."

White conceded in a Facebook post early Wednesday morning.

"I ran a positive campaign and I think we did everything we could with the resources we had available," he wrote. "More funds would have helped but you have to fight the battles with the resources you have. At the end of the day I was able to hold the Republican vote but was not successful in convincing the non-partisans or Democrats that I was the best qualified candidate."

A member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Cázares-Kelly taught in schools on the reservation for many years and co-founded Indivisible Tohono, a grassroots organization that creates opportunities for civic engagement on the reservation, registers voters, and elevates Indigenous people in politics.

She ran on a platform of making voter registration in Pima County faster, easier, and more accessible for all, particularly for its rural and tribal communities.

The office of recorder handles voter registration, early voting and public record for things like property transactions.