Arizona State Senate elections, 2014
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The 2014 state senate elections in Arizona featured a possible independent candidate win, incumbent primary fights and key seats up for grabs in a body with a small majority. On top of this, Arizona featured a Republican single party government, so Democratic wins could have upset the long-standing balance.
The Arizona State Senate was one of 20 state legislative chambers noted by Ballotpedia staff as being a 2014 battleground chamber. The senate, part of a Republican trifecta since 2008, had a difference in partisan balance between Democrats and Republicans of three seats, which amounted to 10 percent of the chamber. There was one vacancy resulting from the August death of Chester Crandell. The senate had historically been strongly Republican.[1][2]
Along with the vacant Crandell seat, seven other seats were open because the incumbents did not run for re-election. Meanwhile, 21 of the 30 seats featured candidates from both major parties in the general election. Six incumbents faced primary challengers.[3] All six retained their seats after the general election.
In particular, a conservative group backed a challenger to Republican Bob Worsley from the right. The group also supported other conservative candidates in senate and house races.[3] Worsley defeated his primary challenger and ultimately retained his seat.
Independent candidate Tom O'Halleran in District 6 looked to make history by becoming the first person not affiliated with the Democratic or Republican parties to win election to the Arizona State Legislature. O'Halleran, a former member of both the state senate and state house, switched his registration from Republican to Independent in May 2014. He cited Republicans' inability to tackle specific issues, even when holding a majority, as his reason for the switch.[4][5] Sylvia Allen (R) ultimately defeated O'Halleran in the general election.
In 2012, a total of four districts were competitive or mildly competitive. District 8 had a margin of victory of three percent. Three other districts had a margin of victory between five and 10 percent.
Elections for the Arizona State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 28, 2014.
Following the general election, there was no change to the majority control of the Arizona State Senate, which was held by Republicans. Both parties held the same number of seats after the election as they did before.
Incumbents retiring
A total of eight incumbents did not run for re-election in 2014. Those incumbents were:
| Name | Party | Current Office |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Crandell (deceased) |  Republican |
Senate District 6 |
| Al Melvin | Republican |
Senate District 11 |
| John McComish | Republican |
Senate District 18 |
| Anna Tovar |  Democratic |
Senate District 19 |
| Rick Murphy | Republican |
Senate District 21 |
| Michele Reagan | Republican |
Senate District 23 |
| Leah Landrum Taylor | Democratic |
Senate District 27 |
| Steve Gallardo | Democratic |
Senate District 29 |
| Candidate ballot access |
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Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 4 election, the Republican Party held the majority in the Arizona State Senate:
| Arizona State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2014 | After November 4, 2014 | |
| Democratic Party | 13 | 13 | |
| Republican Party | 17 | 17 | |
| Total | 30 | 30 | |
Qualifications
Article 4, Part 2, Section 2 of the Arizona Constitution states: "No person shall be a member of the Legislature unless he shall be a citizen of the United States at the time of his election, nor unless he shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and shall have been a resident of Arizona at least three years and of the county from which he is elected at least one year before his election."
Competitiveness
Candidates unopposed by a major party
In nine of the 30 districts up for election in 2014, there was only one major party candidate running for election. Four Democrats and five Republicans were guaranteed election barring unforeseen circumstances. Candidates from both major parties faced off in the general election in 21 of the 30 districts up for election.
Competitive
- District 8: Incumbent Barbara McGuire (D) defeated Irene Littleton (R) in the general election. McGuire won the general election by a margin of victory of 3 percent in 2012.
All four Republican primary candidates participated in a debate centering on taxes and revenue on July 31, hosted by the Casa Grande Dispatch. Shortly after the forum, the Dispatch endorsed Harold Vangilder. Littleton defeated Vangilder and Alan Pease in the Republican primary.[6][7]
Mildly competitive
- District 6: Sylvia Allen (R) defeated Tom O'Halleran (I) in the general election. Former incumbent Chester Crandell (R), who passed away prior to this election, won the general election by a margin of victory of 6 percent in 2012.
- District 10: Incumbent David Bradley (D) defeated Mark Morrison (R) the general election. Bradley won the general election by a margin of victory of 9 percent in 2012.
- District 18: Jane Hydrick (D) was defeated by Jeff Dial the general election. Incumbent John McComish did not run for re-election. He won the general election by a margin of victory of 6 percent in 2012.
Primary challenges
A total of six incumbents faced primary competition on August 26. Eight incumbents did not seek re-election in 2014 and another 16 incumbents advanced past the primary without opposition. The state senators who faced primary competition were:
- District 3: Democratic incumbent Olivia Cajero Bedford defeated Salomon Baldenegro.
- District 7: Incumbent Carlyle Begay (D) defeated Eric Descheenie and Jamescita Peshlakai.
- District 12: Incumbent Don Shooter (R) defeated Toby Farmer.
- District 15: Republican incumbent Nancy K. Barto defeated David Ryan.
- District 16: Republican incumbent David Farnsworth defeated Taylor McArthur.
- District 25: Republican incumbent Bob Worsley defeated Ralph Heap.
Retiring incumbents
Eight incumbent senators did not run for re-election, while 22 (73.3%) ran for re-election. A list of those incumbents, three Democrats and five Republicans, can be found above.
Context
Some Republicans in the chamber faced a challenge from the right in 2014. Groups targeted nine so-called "legis-traitors" over support for Medicaid expansion. The Alliance of Principled Conservatives (APC) was one such group that targeted Republican incumbents in primaries. They contended that the vote to expand the state's Medicaid system was nothing short of an endorsement of the Affordable Care Act. Former Sen. Frank Antenori, a member of APC, said the act of expansion increased government dependency.[3]
On the other side of this Republican dispute were Governor Jan Brewer and a new group known as the Arizona Business Coalition (ABC). Matthew Benson, a spokesman for ABC, said "These are conservatives, they're Republicans and they've had to make tough decisions to turn the state around, as Governor Brewer has done . . . These are people who are stepping up and leading instead of tilting at windmills and yelling at black helicopters." Benson declined to comment on the legislators that received support, though they were expected to back lawmakers who supported expansion with tight primary races. Brewer's own independent-expenditure committee, Arizona Legacy, was expected to support the same lawmakers using some of it's $571,000 cash on hand reported as of June 30.[3]
Both ABC and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, another conservative group, agreed in their support for at least one candidate, Vince Leach of House District 11.[8]
Races to watch
The Arizona Republic highlighted the following races featuring APC-backed challengers to a Republican incumbent:[3]
- House District 8: Incumbents Frank Pratt and Thomas "T.J." Shope defeated challengers Darla Dawald and Wayne Bachmann. Pratt and Shope both backed expansion, while Dawald was supported by the APC.
- House District 16: Expansion supporter Doug Coleman was challenged by John Fillmore. Coleman won in the Republican primary.
- House District 18: Both John King and Jill Norgaard were backed by the APC and sought to unseat incumbent Bob Robson. Robson and Norgaard won in the Republican primary.
- Senate District 18: Incumbent John McComish (R) is retiring. APC sought to keep Rep. Jeff Dial out of that seat by supporting the campaign of Tom Morrissey. Dial won in the Republican primary.
- Senate District 25: APC-backed Ralph Heap took on incumbent Bob Worsley. Worsley won in the Republican primary.
- House District 28: Incumbent Kate Brophy McGee faced APC-endorsed Shawnna Bolick, as well as Mary Hamway. McGee and Bolick won in the Republican primary.
List of candidates
District 1
August 26 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
August 26 Republican primary:
- Steve Pierce
- Incumbent Pierce was first elected to the chamber in 2008.
- Steve Pierce
Independent candidates:
Note: Teri Frost did not appear on the general election ballot.
November 4 General election candidates:
- Steve Pierce: 55,273
- Teri Frost (Write-In): 139
District 2
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Andrea Dalessandro - Incumbent Dalessandro was first appointed to the chamber on January 21, 2014.
- Andrea Dalessandro
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Andrea Dalessandro: 22,901
- Daniel Estrella: 18,707
District 3
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Salomón F. Baldenegro: 4,923
- Olivia Cajero Bedford: 7,087 - Incumbent Bedford was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- August 26 Republican primary:
- No candidates filed.
November 4 General election candidates:
- Olivia Cajero Bedford: 27,034
District 4
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Lynne Pancrazi - Incumbent Pancrazi was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Lynne Pancrazi
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Lynne Pancrazi: 14,464
- Connie Uribe: 12,423
District 5
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Kelli Ward - Incumbent Ward was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Kelli Ward
November 4 General election candidates:
- Kelli Ward: 38,507
District 6
Note: Incumbent Chester Crandell (R) initially filed to run but died on August 4.[9]
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
- August 26 Republican primary:
Note: Because of Crandell's death, the Republican Party were allowed to name a nominee for the general election.
- Independent candidates:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Sylvia Allen: 31,845
- Tom O'Halleran: 30,207
District 7
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Carlyle Begay: 10,331 - Incumbent Begay was first appointed to the chamber on July 31, 2013.
- Eric Descheenie: 6,900
- Jamescita Peshlakai: 6,700
- Carlyle Begay: 10,331
- August 26 Republican primary:
- No candidates filed.
- Americans Elect of Arizona Party Candidates:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Carlyle Begay: 38,513
- Kelly Gneiting: 7,494
District 8
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Barbara McGuire - Incumbent McGuire was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Barbara McGuire
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Irene Littleton: 5,004
- Alan Pease: 2,352
- Harold W. Vangilder: 2,767
- Irene Littleton: 5,004
November 4 General election candidates:
- Barbara McGuire: 17,654
- Irene Littleton: 17,157
Note: Kevin Sullivan (L) filed to run but did not appear general election ballot.
District 9
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Steve Farley - Incumbent Farley was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Steve Farley
- August 26 Republican primary:
- No candidates filed.
November 4 General election candidates:
- Steve Farley: 45,890
District 10
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- David Bradley - Incumbent Bradley was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- David Bradley
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- David Bradley: 34,334
- Mark Morrison: 31,307
District 11
Note: Incumbent Al Melvin (R) did not run for re-election.
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Scott Bartle: 6,863
- Steve Smith: 15,956
November 4 General election candidates:
- Jo Holt: 26,628
- Steve Smith: 38,397
District 12
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Andy Biggs - Incumbent Biggs was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Andy Biggs
November 4 General election candidates:
- Scott Glover: 19,117
- Andy Biggs: 35,820
District 13
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Toby Farmer: 6,446
- Don Shooter: 11,794 - Incumbent Shooter was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
November 4 General election candidates:
- Terri Woodmansee: 15,874
- Don Shooter: 28,645
District 14
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Gail Griffin - Incumbent Griffin was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Gail Griffin
November 4 General election candidates:
- Gail Griffin: 46,564
District 15
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Nancy K. Barto: 13,585 - Incumbent Barto was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- David Ryan: 8,012
- Nancy K. Barto: 13,585
November 4 General election candidates:
- Nancy K. Barto: 43,363
District 16
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- David Christian Farnsworth: 10,705 - Incumbent Farnsworth was first appointed to the chamber on September 12, 2013.
- Taylor McArthur: 8,597
- David Christian Farnsworth: 10,705
November 4 General election candidates:
- Scott Prior: 16,382
- David Christian Farnsworth: 31,659
District 17
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Steven B. Yarbrough - Incumbent Yarbrough was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Steven B. Yarbrough
November 4 General election candidates:
- Kristie O'Brien: 21,619
- Steven B. Yarbrough: 32,598
District 18
Note: Incumbent John McComish (R) did not run for re-election.
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Jeff Dial: 12,886
- Tom Morrissey: 8,659
- Jeff Dial: 12,886
November 4 General election candidates:
- Jane Hydrick: 29,723
- Jeff Dial: 34,522
District 19
Note: Incumbent Anna Tovar (D) did not run for re-election.
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Angela Cotera: 2,696
- Lupe Contreras: 3,106
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Lupe Contreras: 12,811
- Joseph "Joe" Hobbs: 7,747
District 20
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Kimberly Yee - Incumbent Yee was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Kimberly Yee
Note: Justin Henry was disqualified from the ballot on June 19.[10]
- Independent candidates:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Patty Kennedy: 16,613
- Kimberly Yee: 25,103
- Doug "Q" Quelland: 5,438
District 21
Note: Incumbent Rick Murphy (R) did not run for re-election.
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Carolyn Vasko: 18,687
- Debbie Lesko: 32,119
District 22
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Judy M. Burges - Incumbent Burges was first appointed to the chamber on January 23, 2012.
- Judy M. Burges
November 4 General election candidates:
- Archangel "Arky" Muscato: 21,079
- Judy M. Burges: 48,046
District 23
Note: Incumbent Michele Reagan (R) did not run for re-election.
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- John Kavanagh: 17,227
- Jeff Schwartz: 15,075
- John Kavanagh: 17,227
November 4 General election candidates:
- Paula Pennypacker: 29,810
- John Kavanagh: 46,649
District 24
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Katie Hobbs - Incumbent Hobbs was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Katie Hobbs
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Katie Hobbs: 25,130
- Bill Follette: 12,867
District 25
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Ralph Heap: 13,827
- Bob Worsley: 15,473 - Incumbent Worsley was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
November 4 General election candidates:
- Steven Zachary: 16,140
- Bob Worsley: 38,505
District 26
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Ed Ableser - Incumbent Ablesar was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Ed Ableser
- August 26 Republican primary:
- No candidates filed.
- Independent candidates:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Ed Ableser: 14,845
- Dale Eames: 10,563
Note: Jennifer Knepfler (L) was removed from the ballot.
District 27
Note: Incumbent Leah Landrum Taylor (D) did not run for re-election.
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Aaron Marquez: 4,733
- Catherine Miranda: 5,672
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Catherine Miranda: 17,917
- Natalie Taswell: 6,198
District 28
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- August 26 Republican primary:
- Adam Driggs - Incumbent Driggs was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Adam Driggs
Libertarian candidates:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Kelli Butler: 27,902
- Adam Driggs: 34,455
- Jim Iannuzo: 2,392
District 29
Note: Incumbent Steve Gallardo (D) did not run for re-election.
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Martin J. Quezada: 3,342
- Lydia Hernández: 3,252
- Martin J. Quezada: 3,342
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Martin J. Quezada: 12,133
- Crystal Nuttle: 8,002
District 30
- August 26 Democratic primary:
- Robert Meza - Incumbent Meza was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Robert Meza
- August 26 Republican primary:
November 4 General election candidates:
- Robert Meza: 12,802
- Gary Cox: 9,276
See also
External links
- Arizona Secretary of State - Official general election results
- Arizona Secretary of State - Official primary election candidate list
- Arizona Secretary of State - Official primary election results
- Arizona Secretary of State - Official general election candidate list
- kpho.com - Unofficial general election results
Footnotes
- ↑ KPHO, "AZ Sen. Crandell dies while horseback riding," August 4, 2014
- ↑ Arizona State Senate#History
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Arizona Republic, "Medicaid fight re-emerges in GOP legislative primaries," July 14, 2014
- ↑ azcentral.com, "Does an independent candidate have a prayer?" May 16, 2014
- ↑ ballot-access.org, "Former Arizona legislator will run for state senate as an independent candidate," May 16, 2014
- ↑ Casa Grande Dispatch, "Debate centers on taxes, revenue sources," August 2, 2014
- ↑ Casa Grande Dispatch, "Editorial: Primary election," August 13, 2014
- ↑ AZ Central, "Dark money creeping into Arizona legislative races," July 23, 2014
- ↑ KPHO, "AZ Sen. Crandell dies while horseback riding," August 4, 2014
- ↑ azcentral.com, "State Senate candidate falls one signature short of ballot," June 19, 2014
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