Arizona Democrats Lead Broad Election Gains as Legislature May Flip

Democrats were leading in several high-profile Arizona races on November 4, with results still being counted. The governor’s race and contests for secretary of state and attorney general were called for Democrats, while unofficial figures showed the party ahead in a majority of legislative races. That could end decades of Republican control of the Legislature.

Gov. Katie Hobbs was projected to win reelection. Democrats also held leads in other statewide and federal contests. Teresa Leyba Ruiz was ahead of Republican Kimberly Yee in the superintendent of public instruction race, with about 53% to Yee’s 47% in early results.

In the first congressional district, Democrat Amish Shah led former NFL kicker Jay Feely, a Republican, by about 53% to 45%. In the sixth district, Democrat JoAnna Mendoza led Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani by similar shares. The leads had held in early returns, though additional ballots remained to be counted.

Republican Andy Biggs did not formally concede, but acknowledged a sizable gap in his race and addressed supporters in a subdued tone. Statewide, Democrats’ strong results came amid a national election in which the party was also positioned to win control of Congress.

Separately, an ICE arrest outside a Mesa grocery store on Election Day prompted allegations that voters faced intimidation near local voting sites. Arizona voters also decided on eight ballot propositions; unofficial results were still being tallied.

Arizona Voters Reject GOP Control as Democrats Surge

Arizona’s election results point to a strong rebuke of Republican leadership, with Democrats leading in major statewide races and positioned to end decades of GOP control of the Legislature. On November 4, Katie Hobbs was projected to win reelection, and Democrats were called winners in the secretary of state and attorney general contests.

The gains extended to legislative and congressional races. Unofficial numbers showed Democrats ahead in a majority of legislative contests. Amish Shah led Republican Jay Feely in the first congressional district, while JoAnna Mendoza led GOP incumbent Juan Ciscomani in the sixth. Both leads stood at roughly 53% to 45% in early returns, with ballots still being counted.

Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz also led Republican Kimberly Yee in the superintendent of public instruction race, about 53% to 47%. The results suggested a substantial shift in a state where Republicans have often dominated statewide offices.

The election also brought controversy over an ICE arrest outside a Mesa grocery store. The incident prompted claims of voter intimidation near polling places. The results remained unofficial in many races, and voters also weighed eight ballot propositions.

Arizona GOP Faces Losses as Election Results Remain Unofficial

Early Arizona results showed Democrats making major gains, but many figures remained unofficial as ballots continued to be counted. Democrats held leads across most legislative races, potentially bringing an end to decades of Republican control, and Katie Hobbs was projected to win another term as governor.

The Republican losses included close attention to congressional contests. Democrat Amish Shah led Republican Jay Feely in the first district, and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza led incumbent Juan Ciscomani in the sixth. Both Democrats were at about 53% in early results, compared with roughly 45% for their Republican opponents. The leads had held, but the count was ongoing.

Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz also led Republican Kimberly Yee in the superintendent of public instruction race, about 53% to 47%. Republicans had not conceded every contest; Andy Biggs acknowledged a sizable gap but did not formally concede.

An ICE arrest outside a Mesa grocery store on Election Day led to allegations that voters faced intimidation near local voting sites. Arizona voters were also deciding eight ballot propositions. The final shape of state government depended on results that were still being tallied.