THE PRIMARY PRIMER

JULY 6, 2022

YOUR VOTE = YOUR VOICE

The Primary Election will be held on August 2, 2022, less than a month away. Ballots are being mailed today, July 6. With this Primary Primer we hope to provide you with general and specific information, and the resources to make the very important job of casting an informed vote easier. Although we are a non-partisan organization, this year only the candidates in the Democratic Party align with our mission and values. Many of these candidates are running unopposed in their primary races. But all will face stiff competition from their Republican counterparts in the General Election in November.

Arizona utilizes a semi-closed primary system. Independent voters may choose which party's primary they will vote in and request a ballot for that party's primary. Voters registered with a party may only vote in that party's primary.

Candidates are running in the primaries for federal, state, and local offices. It's extremely important to vote for all, completing your choices in every race down the ballot.

Here are the key dates and answers to some basic questions:

WHERE DO I VOTE? Click HERE

HOW DO I VOTE? Click HERE

KEY DATES FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION

THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACES

FEDERAL

U.S. Senate:  The Senate and House have oversight of the federal budget. The 100-member Senate has the power to originate legislation, draft or amend bills, and filibuster (delay or block legislation via prolonged debate). It takes 60 votes for cloture of such a debate. The Senate has oversight of the Executive Branch, approving or rejecting presidential appointees for agencies. The Senate has the sole power of any impeachment trial of Executive and judicial officials and can override a presidential veto of a bill.

Mark Kelly is the Democratic candidate running unopposed in the Democratic primary. In November, his challenger will be the winner of the Republican primary. 

Learn more about Mark HERE

Be sure to mark your ballot for Mark Kelly.

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U.S. House of Representatives:  The House of Representatives has 435 members, elected every two years from designated districts in their state. The number of House seats allocated to each state is determined proportionately by each state's population as reported in the most recent Census. Arizona presently has nine congressional districts. Both the House and Senate have oversight of the budget, but all revenue-related bills must originate in the House.

Congressional District 1: CD1 (formerly CD6) is seen as a competitive race and is believed to be a flippable district. David Schweikert, the  Republican incumbent, represented the district since 2013. He is being challenged by several Republicans in the primary.

Two Democrats, Jevn Hodge and Adam Metzendorf are running for a chance to beat Schweikert or the winner of the Republican primary in November.

Both align with our mission and values, but we can only vote for one.

Jevin Hodge - Learn more about Jevin HERE

Adam Metzendorf - Learn more about Adam HERE

You can only vote for one. Mark your ballot for EITHER Jevin or Adam. 

STATE

GOVERNOR: The Governor is similar to a company's CEO and represents Arizona as the top elected officer for in-state business.  The Governor can sign a legislative bill into law or veto it to keep it from becoming law. He/she approves the state budget, issues executive orders, and oversees state agencies.

Two Democratic candidates are running to succeed Governor Ducey; our current Secretary of State, Katie Hobbs, and Marco Lopez, former Mayor of Nogales, AZ.

Both align with our mission and values, but we can only vote for one.

Katie Hobbs - Learn more about Katie HERE

Marco Lopez - Learn more about Marco HERE.

You can only vote for one. Mark your ballot for EITHER Katie or Marco. 

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SECRETARY OF STATE:  The Secretary of State acts as the Chief Election Officer for the state and is next in line to succeed should the Governor leave office due to death, resignation or impeachment.

Two Democratic candidates are running; Reginald Bolding, the current Democratic leader in the AZ House of Representatives, and Adrian Fontes, former Maricopa County Recorder.

Again, both align with our mission and values, but we can only vote for one.

Reginald Bolding - Learn more about Reginald HERE.

Adrian Fontes - Learn more about Adrian HERE.

You can only vote for one. Mark your ballot for EITHER Reginald or Adrian. 

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CORPORATION COMMISSION: The Arizona Corporation Commission has five members, each elected to four-year terms. The Commission regulates the rates, business practices, and health and safety of many utilities. It also regulates corporations, securities, railroads and pipelines.

Two Democrats are running for a seat on the Commission, incumbent Sandra Kennedy and Lauren Kuby. 

Vote for both.

Sandra Kennedy - Learn more about Sandra HERE

Lauren Kuby - Learn more about Lauren HERE

Be sure to mark your ballot for BOTH Sandra and Lauren.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL:  As the Chief Legal Officer of the state, the Attorney General provides advice to state agencies and enforces consumer protection, civil rights, environmental, criminal, and other laws on behalf of Arizona.

Kris Mayes, a Democrat is running for Attorney General.

Learn more about Kris HERE.

Be sure to mark your ballot for Kris Mayes.

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TREASURER: The Arizona Treasurer is a statewide-elected position who serves as Arizona’s Chief Banker and Investment Officer, as well as the Chair of Arizona’s State Board of Investment. The Treasurer manages Arizona’s investment portfolio and is required to authorize and balance the state’s accounts. The Treasurer also directs the state’s banking services.

Martin Quezada, a Democrat is running for State Treasurer.

Learn more about Martin HERE 

Be sure to mark your ballot for Martin Quezada.

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SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION: As head of the Department of Education, the Superintendent oversees the state's education finances and implements policy mandated by the State Board of Education.

Kathy Hoffman is the Democratic incumbent running for reelection.

Learn more about Kathy HERE.

Be sure to mark your ballot for Kathy Hoffman.

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

This year's Arizona Capitol Times Meet the Candidates will be streamed live on YouTube at 6 p.m. each night from July 11 to July 15. You'll have the opportunity to hear from the candidates, and interact with them by sending in questions.

Arizona Legislative District 2

State Representative

Judy Schwiebert is running unopposed for reelection. She will face the Republican nominees in the November General Election.

Learn more about Judy HERE

If you are in Legislative District 2, be sure to mark your ballot for Judy Schwiebert.

State Senator

Jeanne Casteen is running unopposed in the August Primary. She will face incumbent Republican Steve Kaiser in the November General Election.

Learn more about Jeanne HERE

If you are in Legislative District 2, be sure to mark your ballot for Jeanne Casteen.

Click HERE to sign up to Meet the LD2 Candidates at the Arizona Capitol Times event.

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Arizona Legislative District 3

State Representative

There are no Democrats running in this primary. And, none of the Republican candidates align with our mission and values.

State Senator

Thomas Dugger is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. He will face the winner of the Republican primary in November.

Learn more about Thomas HERE.

If you are in Legislative District 3, be sure to mark your ballot for Thomas Dugger.

Click HERE to sign up to Meet the LD3 Candidates

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Arizona Legislative District 4

State Representative

Laura Terech is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for State Representative. In November, she will run against the winners of the Republican primary.

Learn more about Laura HERE.

State Senator

Christine Marsh is the Democratic incumbent and will run against the Republican incumbent Nancy Barto in the November General Election.

Learn more about Christine HERE.

If you are in Legislative District 4, be sure to mark your ballot for Christine Marsh and Laura Terech.

Click HERE to sign up to Meet the LD4 Candidates at the Arizona Capitol Times event.

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Arizona Legislative District 8

State Representative

Athena Salman and Melody Hernandez are the Democratic incumbents running for reelection. They will run against Republican challengers in November.

Learn more about Athena HERE.

Learn more about Melody HERE

Be sure to mark your ballot for BOTH Athena and Melody.

State Senator

Juan Mendez is the Democratic incumbent running for reelection. His challenger in the November election will be Republican Roxana Holzapfel.

Learn more about Juan HERE.

If you are in Legislative District 8, be sure to mark your ballot for Athena Salman, Melody Hernandez, and Juan Mendez.

Click HERE to sign up to Meet the LD8 Candidates at the Arizona Capitol Times event.

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MARICOPA COUNTY

COUNTY ATTORNEY:  The County Attorney prosecutes all felonies in the county and represents the county in legal matters. The County Attorney also provides legal counsel to other county officials.

Julie Gunnigle is the Democratic candidate running for County Attorney. She will run against the winner of the Republican primary.

Learn more about Julie HERE 

Be sure to mark your ballot for Julie Gunnigle.

CITY OF SCOTTSDALE

City of Scottsdale elections are non-partisan.

City Council: The City Council is an elected, local policy and law-making body with the power to pass city laws and ordinances. At regular meetings, which are open to the public, the Council hears requests and grievances of local citizens, and updates from city staff on projects and initiatives.

Candidates for Scottsdale City Council are Pamela Carter, Barry Graham, Daniel Ishac, incumbent Kathy Littlefield, Tim Stratton, incumbent Solange Whitehead, and Raoul Zubia. 

You can vote for three. Mark your ballot for those you feel will best represent the interests of Scottsdale citizens.

Visit the City of Scottsdale Elections for more information.