Elections Provide Two Upsets

SBINSIDER REPORTING August 3rd, 2024

Pinal County Republicans voters had a busy night On July 30th. All county-wide offices were contested and all the state legislative seats (which have a 2-year term limit). Very few voters actually voted our two local polling places with about 400 votes cast in person. Some of those voters dropped off their mail-in ballot rather than trusting the post office.

County Attorney Race Upset

The biggest surprise of the night was the loss by Kent Volkmer to first-time candidate Brad Miller for the office of County Attorney. Miller ran an aggressive direct mail campaign and spent nearly 80K in his effort. Miller had previously worked as the district director for supervisor Kevin Cavanaugh who had chosen to run for Sheriff and lost to Ross Teeple. Volkmer ran in 2016 and defeated incumbent Lando Voyles and the voters decided that his tenure was not want they wanted in a County Attorney. Volkmer was a low-key presence in the office and was burdened fairly or unfairly, with the 2020 election primary election debacle and a defense of the bonus paid to former Elections Director Virginia Ross after the general election.

LD-17 State Legislature Upset, Sort Of

In 2022, the state re-drew legislative districts and incumbent State Senate officeholder Vince Leach was challenged and beaten by Justine Wadsack. Wadsack had a tumultuous two year tenure with her getting lots of negative publicity for her demeanor and emphasis on the social\cultural issues. In the re-match, Leach won in northern Pima County, which was Wadsack won in 2022 and he prevailed in Pinal County SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch. Leach emphasized fiscal probity and attacked Wadsack’s unusual public persona. She was also hurt at the end of the race by police footage that was released showing her irresponsible and disrespectful behavior with an officer who had pulled her over for speeding. The traffic stop occurred in March but not released until recently to the public because the legislature will still in session.

Now Leach will face Democrat John McLean who ran unopposed in the primary. The district has about a plus 8 GOP registration advantage.

Both state legislatures are currently controlled by the Republicans by a single vote.

Teeple Wins Sheriff’s Race

The most unusual race of the night was between Deputy Ross Teeple and Kevin Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh was extremely controversial as County Supervisor and decided his best bet to remain in any office was in the Sheriff’s race. As noted in SBINSIDER, Cavanaugh claimed he was the person to best clean up “corruption” in Pinal County. Cavanaugh relentlessly attacked the elections office, no matter who was in charge, over a span of six years. Voters picked Ross with nearly 64% of the votes.

Ross goes on in November against Democrat Pat Melvin who had no primary opponent.