Democrats post major gains in Arizona, Texas and beyond

Democrats scored major victories in races across the country on November 3, including contests in North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina. In Texas, six Democrats defeated Republican opponents, and results arriving on November 4 showed Democrats would take control of the state House for the first time this century.

Arizona’s votes were still being counted on November 4. Gov. Katie Hobbs and her running mate, former Mesa Mayor John Giles, won outright on election night. Preliminary Maricopa County results showed Secretary of State Adrian Fontes with a lead of nearly 20 points over Republican Alex Kolodin. Attorney General Kris Mayes had 59% to Warren Peterson’s 40%; Treasurer Nick Mansour had 57%, and superintendent candidate Teresa Leyba Ruiz had 56%.

If those leads hold, Democrats would claim each of Arizona’s five executive posts elected statewide, something the party hasn’t achieved in 70 years. But control of the state Legislature remained unresolved, leaving open the possibility of continued conflict between the parties and legislative gridlock.

Arizona saw long lines at some polling places: 226 people were still waiting at one site when polls closed on November 3, and the final voters there took more than two hours to enter. Election officials had prepared for disruptions, including by rehearsing emergency scenarios. Authorities also announced an arrest in a case involving an envelope of mysterious powder sent to the Secretary of State’s office in October.

In Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, Democrat Amish Shah held a sizable lead over Republican Jay Feely. In the 8th District, Bernadette Greene-Placentia had a narrow lead over Republican Abe Hamadeh, despite expectations she would lose by a wide margin. Counting continued in both races.

Voters deliver a sharp rebuke to Republicans in Arizona and Texas

Voters handed Democrats major wins on November 3, with successes in North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina and a breakthrough in Texas: six Democrats defeated Republicans, and the party was set to control the Texas House for the first time this century.

Arizona’s results showed the scale of the shift. Gov. Katie Hobbs and running mate John Giles won outright, while preliminary Maricopa County results gave Secretary of State Adrian Fontes a lead of nearly 20 points. Attorney General Kris Mayes had 59% to Republican Warren Peterson’s 40%; Treasurer Nick Mansour had 57%, and superintendent candidate Teresa Leyba Ruiz had 56%.

If the results hold, Arizona Democrats will claim every one of the state’s five statewide executive posts, a first in 70 years. The state’s voters also gave Democrat Amish Shah a sizable lead in the 1st Congressional District and Bernadette Greene-Placentia a narrow lead in the 8th, where she had been expected to lose by a wide margin.

The results amount to a rejection of the Trump presidency, while the unresolved fight for control of Arizona’s Legislature could still limit what Democrats can accomplish. Continued party conflict and legislative stalemate remain possible. Long lines at some Arizona polling places showed voters were eager to participate: 226 people were waiting at one site when polls closed, and the last voters took more than two hours to get inside.

Democratic wins leave Arizona facing another divided government

Democrats made substantial gains on November 3, winning races in North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina. In Texas, six Democratic candidates defeated Republicans, and results showed the party would control the state House for the first time this century.

Arizona’s statewide results pointed to a Democratic sweep. Gov. Katie Hobbs and running mate John Giles won outright, while preliminary Maricopa County figures showed Adrian Fontes ahead by nearly 20 points. Kris Mayes had 59% against Republican Warren Peterson’s 40%; Nick Mansour had 57%, and Teresa Leyba Ruiz had 56%. If those leads hold, Democrats will hold every one of Arizona’s five statewide executive posts for the first time in 70 years.

Yet control of Arizona’s Legislature remained unresolved. Without a Democratic majority in either chamber, the state could face more vetoes, partisan clashes and stalemate—the same kind of impasse voters have seen in recent years. A sweep of executive offices would not by itself settle that dispute.

Democrat Amish Shah held a sizable lead in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, while Bernadette Greene-Placentia held a narrow lead in the 8th despite having been expected to lose by a wide margin. Arizona officials had prepared for election-day problems, including by rehearsing emergency scenarios. Long lines remained at some polling places: 226 people waited at one site when polls closed, and the last voters took more than two hours to enter.